Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Merlin took a deep breath.  Then he straightened, stretched and turned around. Maybe a little too fast, because he was starting to feel just the slightest bit dizzy. He closed his eyes for a second, took another breath, then opened them, to look at his prince. Pretend that nothing had happened at all, because he had no time for any of this.

Arthur sat on his bed, looking at him, still wearing the clothes he had slept in. Well, they were working on that, were they not? Merlin had been going through his wardrobe, before this strange feeling had befallen him.

“Are you alright?”, the prince asked, looking his servant up and down.

Merlin nodded. “Everything’s fine. Just... Dunno, maybe I’m getting a cold?”, he wondered aloud, shrugged.

He had felt not too good since he had woken up in the morning, but had paid it no mind, since he – they both – had a busy day ahead of them. Today was a very big day, in truth, a day the whole kingdom had waited for, for years! Today was prince Arthur’s coming-of-age ceremony.  Finally he was old enough to formally get introduced to a possible mate, which would ensure the future of the kingdom. Probably Uther had plans already? Well, none he had told Arthur’s useless manservant, so Merlin had no idea, what plans lay in front of them, what the future would hold for them. But probably Arthur’s maturity would be use to gain power an wealth for Camelot, that well he knew the king. he would sell his son for power.

“You look like shit!”, Arthur commented, gentlemanly as  ever, when talking to his servant. They never were formal with each other, a tradition hard to break.

“Well, at least I need to be sick for this!”, Merlin snapped back instantly. He would not back down, just because he felt a little feverish. Just a little warm and dizzy and... Vaguely familiar.

“Maybe you’re not sick at all? Your foul mouth works just fine!”

“Can’t believe a princely prat like you is already coming of age! Hope you’re just as charming to the poor girl who gets to marry you!”, the servant huffed and shook his head. Turned back towards the wardrobe and the way too many  pieces of clothing, they had to go through to find fitting ones for the day, and also for the upcoming ceremony.  Did his best, to ignore the weaknesses, the feeling that almost made him shiver.

“Who says, it will be a girl? Even you should know that  as long as they can give birth, my father doesn’t care. He’d marry me off to a mermaid, as long as they would provide him with power and a heir. Also: I’m way more mature than you are, Merlin!”, Arthur answered, still sitting on his mattress. He was enjoying their bickering. Always was. Even if he would never admit it out loud. Which was the only reason why Merlin was even able to spend time with him to at least try to fulfil his actual duties, otherwise he would barely ever leave the stocks.

“Listen to yourself, prat! You’re talking like a teen, not an adult at all!”, Merlin snorted. “Try that on!”, he then added, throwing some pieces of fabrics behind him. They landed on Arthur’s head. Which he noticed with amusement.

The prince made a disapproving sound, but actually placed the clothes on the bed and got up, to let himself get undressed and redressed by his servant.

“I am in my twentieth summer, so not a teen at all. But maybe you are just jealous?”, he implied, while Merlin did his job, standing behind him.

“Jealous? Of what? Oh yes, I get it. I can’t believe I am not such an arrogant, pampered alpha prince who can’t even dress himself in the mornings”, he retorted, pulling the shirt over his future king’s head.

“What do you know about this? It’s not easy at all! You’re just a beta, you know nothing about the hardships I have to endure. And the rewards.…”, he heard him smirk.

“Must be very rewarding to be mounted by a prat like you.... Guess they are already lining up for the duty? Nah, no, too bright. Take it off again, I’ll get the other one.” Merlin rolled his eyes, grabbing for another shirt he had prepared, that was lying on the bed.

“Oh, they were, believe me. Since my first rut, I could not complain about willing participants. You sure, this one’s not too worn? I mean, I love the shirt, but...”

“That’s for your training session with the knights. You’ll hardly just instruct them, will you? For the ceremony, you should wear that one over there. Fits perfectly with your eyes”, Merlin explained, pointing at another way more formal shirt draped over a chair,  ignoring the other comment. He did not want to imagine prince Arthur in his rut, demanding for all the chambermaids available, spoilt as he was. So far he had always – meaning twice – been able to avoid Arthur’s ruts by either a spontaneous visit to his mother in Ealdor, as soon as he had noticed the telltale signs, or a very long trip to collect very specific herbs Gaius had needed for Morgana’s medicine. A comfortable coincidence.

“Ah, great, that’s a good one. So? You’re ditching the topic, Merlin?”, Arthur noticed with a smirk.

“Oh, shut it!”, the servant mumbled, rolling his eyes.

“You are jealous!”

“Not at all!”, Merlin snapped back. Then halted, took another deep breath. Closed his eyes for a second. Shit, he still felt dizzy. Why was it so warm in here? It was way too warm for this early spring. And he had the feeling that the proximity to Arthur did not make things better. Made him feel even hotter. That  was not good.

“Are you alright?”, the prince asked, turning around, looking at him with raised eyebrows. Maybe actually worried. He placed his hands on his servant’s shoulders and looked him in the eyes. “You don’t look good...”

“I’ll... I’m fine. I’ll take a nap when you’re out, then we can rehearse your speech and dress you for the actual occasion in the evening. No! Don’t look at me like that! I’m really fine!”, the sorcerer shook his head, trying to take a step back, but did not come far, since the bed was blocking his way.  He lost his balance for a moment and tried to steady himself. His legs felt more wobbly than they had any right to be.

“Good. You can sleep on mine. Your blankets are down with the washers, remember?”, the blonde reminded him, rolling his eyes, because, well, he was a prat.

Usually Merlin slept in his own bed at Gaius’ place, but every now and then he spent the night on a pile of actually not that uncomfortable blankets on the floor of Arthur’s chambers. Especially when they had been out till past midnight – hunting or patroling or on any other occasion –  and he would not want to wake the physician in the middle of the night. Arthur had insisted and since then kept this habit up, since this would decrease the chances of Merlin being late in the morning. A habit, the sorcerer had actually overcome long ago, but the joke was still on him.

“Are they?”, Merlin mumbled. Tried to remember, why exactly.

“You spilled the soup all over them, remember?”, the prince sighed.

“Ah, yes. I remember....” He did. Vaguely. Yesterday he had also not felt his best, had been slightly more clumsy than usual. But he had not been this hot. This...

“Great. Can you lace my boots or do I need to do it myself?”, Arthur asked. A simple question, no malice in it. He really seemed worried.

“Nah, just sit down. I’m not that bad. We’ll get through the day”, he mumbled, stepped aside, so his prince could sit down onto the bed.

Still a little dizzy, he grabbed the royal boots and knelt down in front of him. Looked up, just for a moment and regretted it instantly. Looking up at Arthur was... Appealing. Arthur was appealing. This whole position was. And he scolded himself and his nature for this inappropriate thoughts. Hurried to concentrate on the task. On his boots. He had taken them on and off thousands of times now, should be used to it, operating out of pure muscle memory, until he was done. As flawless, as always.

“Are you really... You know?”, the prince asked as he stood up. Looked down at him. Mustered him.

“I’m fine. Go kick some knights’ butts, before I kick yours!”, the sorcerer grumbled, shooting him a glare.

“Fine, fine. I’ll be back in a few hours. If you’re not feeling well, I can always call for another servant. You should rest!”

“Fuck off, already!”

“You can’t speak to your future king like that, you know?”, Arthur huffed, already standing by the door. Barely concealing a smile.

“Obviously I can. Now get out. They’ll mock you if you can’t even be on time on your big day!”

“Stop nagging, you’re neither my mother, nor my wife!”, Arthur tried to hide a laugh, but finally gave in and left the room. They did not have a drill today, but for the big ceremony they had the security protocol to discuss. Since after all, this occasion was a great opportunity for enemies of the kingdom to try to get close to the crown prince.

Merlin sighed, as the door finally fell shut. He took a deep breath and regretted it instantly. This room was Arthur’s. It smelled like Arthur. And Arthur’s smell was strong. Dominant. The smell of an alpha. Undoubtedly. He would not have any problem at all, attracting whoever he might be interested in. Or whoever Uther would decide to become his mate.

Even most of the servants, all betas, could not deny the prince’s special appeal. They called it his aura. And the other alphas in the palace showed him respect, bowed their heads, even flinched back when he was angry. They naturally reacted to his scent. He had this kind of effect on people. Even unconsciously.

Even though most of the time Arthur was suppressing his scent, because, well, he was Arthur. He knew that there were a few omegas – not many, but they were there – living in the palace, that would react strongly. Would probably get on their knees instantly, or even worse, into heat, as soon as he forced himself on them, made them react, but he had basic manners – wherever he might have picked them up.

No matter how much he argued with his sister Morgana, the first omega he had ever encountered, he would never use his scent, his pheromones, to show her her place. Not only because it had never properly worked on her, as she had told Merlin one evening while they were practising spells in secret.

Well, the reason for this mysterious circumstance became obvious, after they had found out that they were related not only by debt, but by blood as well. He would – and could –  not try to force his own sister into submission, no matter how angry he could get at her, and well, said sister would be able to break off the effects of his scent easily, because even nature knew that family relations of that kind were not that promising when it came to producing offsprings. So it was rather out of politeness that he suppressed his scent around her.

But there had also been Gwen, the blacksmith’s daughter, who happened to be an omega as well, surprising everyone when she first presented. Which had by the way been the reason why she had become Morgana’s personal maidservant. Since she was no threat to her virtue at all. Arthur had had a brief interest in her once, and Merlin was quite certain, that Arthur had subconsciously used his pheromones on her on minimum one occasion, but he would never actually try to hurt her. He respected her and her choices – namely Lancelot, her true mate who she had not been able to bond with – and boundaries – not giving herself to anyone except for said Lancelot – and would not force her to submit to him or any other alpha in the kingdom. So another reason to behave.

And then there were two or three other omegas Merlin knew of in Camelot. Omegas who would react strongly to Arthur’s scent. To his alpha pheromones. Because no matter how much he tried to suppress them, without the help of strong herbs and magic, one could not completely suppress the very own nature. And Arthur was an alpha. A dominant alpha. Very rare and gifted with especially strong pheromones, until bounded to their one true mate or whoever was decided to be their mate, so it was impossible for him to completely hide his scent.

The mating was by the way the reason, why Uther did not regularly flood the palace with his pheromones unconsciously, because surely the old man would not give a damn about poor omegas highly affected by him. No, Uther had had a strong bond, even though long ago. That made it bearable for everyone around him, unless he would decide to look for a new mate.

“Fuck that alpha shit!”, Merlin grumbled, as he finally snapped out of his thoughts,  got up from the ground he had still been kneeling on and steadied himself on the bedpost. Took a deep breath and reached into his pocket. Fished for a small glass, half empty now. He took out two of the pills and swallowed them at once. He had already taken his dose in the morning, but he had a bad feeling, a very bad feeling. If he did not know better, he would almost suspect, his symptoms were those of an upcoming heat. But that was impossible! Absolutely impossible!

He recasted the spell that kept him in check. That hid his nature form those around him, made sure nothing would escape his control. And felt even more dizzy. And warm. Feverish. He should go and seek Gaius. Should ask for help. Ask anyone. Maybe Gwen was close by? He could call out to her, hope that no one was hearing? No, he could not. Obviously. No one was around here, since even the servants stayed away from Arthur’s chambers, when he was on edge and the ceremony definitely was a reason to let Merlin deal with the praty prince all by himself. He normally would. Easily. But... He...

He felt weak. And so very, very hot. Maybe he should really close his eyes? Just for a moment. Regain some strength, so he could make it all the way to Gaius’ quarters. Yes. Just for a moment. He would be done and gone before Arthur was back. He would understand. Had asked himself, if Merlin wanted to rest. But he had felt fine, just half an hour ago. Who would have guessed, that this would become this bad in such a short time?

Just... Just a short rest.

When Arthur returned to his chambers, he was sweaty. The shirt clung to his chest and he definitely needed a bath before the ceremony, because after going through all their security concepts twice, they had sparred more than just a little. His knights in armour, he in his regular clothing, like any possible attacker would be. And still he had manhandled Gwaine easily. Percival only had had the advantage of size and Leon had his experience, but he had still been a match for all of them.

So, well, he felt dirty and sweaty and... Exhausted. He wondered, if maybe he had time for a little nap, before the evening events. Still in thoughts as he opened the door and stepped inside. Closed it behind him and froze. 

He took a deep breath and stared at the bed. At Merlin, lying there on his stomach, legs dangling over the mattress. And... Locked the door. Because... Well, he could not have anyone else see, feel, smell what was going on. What he had grasped within miliseconds inside his room. Most of the servants were betas, of course – oblivious to the smell of alphas and omegas – but about one third of the guard and most of his knights were alphas, able to figure THIS out in an instant.

„Merlin!“, he shouted in a loud, clear voice. Struggling to keep his composure, because, well… He was an alpha after all. And he had instincts! And even though the smell was faint, just a hint of something going on, his instincts picked it up instantly. Supplied him with a perfect answer to what the more logically operating part of his brain was still trying to grasp. What could not be.

“Ugh?”, was the weak reply from the bed. A confused head rose from the blanket – had not made it to the actual pillows – and Merlin blinked once. Twice. His hair was a mess, sweaty and clinging to his forehead. He looked damp, like he was way too hot. Feverish. And Arthur knew. He knew the instant he saw him, smelled him. And stepped closer.

“Get up. Now!”, he ordered his manservant and the dark-haired looked at him, flinched out of shock and tried his best, to follow, but a wave of dizziness seemed to make him halt, close his eyes for a second. Breathed. And breathed in Arthur’s scent. The prince could tell the moment his own pheromones reached his servant, because instantly a shiver went through his body and he pretty much just fell back into the sheets.

“Okay, fuck that. Stay. Just stay there!”, the blonde decided instead. Shook his head. A little – maybe a lot – overwhelmed by the sudden revelation and what that caused. By, well, by that.

“Arthur, I… Shit…”, Merlin mumbled, out of breath. He looked like Arthur felt. Like he had just participated in a hunt. As game. And in this particular situation, the comparison probably was not that far off.

“You are… You’re an omega, Merlin…”, the prince mumbled. Deflated. Resigned himself to this situation, to… To Merlin, his most trusted manservant, being a fucking omega! In fucking heat! Right here in his room! Because… Because there was no other explanation for this. For THIS! His alpha brain was going rampage, screaming at him to get there, to get onto his bed, to touch that omega, to take, to mate, breed! But the rational more Arthur-like part of his brain was fighting the urge. After all: this was Merlin. His Merlin. His servant, his friend, his… fuck, this was bad!

“I… Sorry. I can explain, I… This shouldn’t have happened! Wasn’t supposed to…”, the dark-haired mumbled, now looking at him, full of fear and shame and just a hint of something else. And Arthur felt a third urge inside of him, fighting with the other two, the urge to get closer, to cuddle him, embrace him, stroke his hair and tell him, that everything was going to be alright, that he was safe, that he would protect him, that no one would hurt his Merlin. Except for the very logical fact, that he was the one being a danger to Merlin, the one causing that look, that fear.

“So, you were hiding the fact, that you’re an omega? All this time?”, he tried to keep his composure, to keep this rational. Work with logic and suppress the urges. The smell – even though just faint, like coming from miles away – was enough to make his alpha react in a very, very natural way. This was, after all, the smell of an omega in heat, right here on his bed. Right there, all slick and hot and willing. No, no, stop! That was Merlin! His Merlin! His servant. He could not, he would not! No, this was wrong! Oh fuck, this was hard. If his smell were any stronger, he would probably not be able to hold himself back. To just adjust the contents of his pants to a more comfortable position, instead of just jumping him.

“I’m sorry. So sorry, I… This wasn’t supposed to happen, ahhnn!”, his manservant explained, interrupted by his own moan, as another shudder went through his body.

“You’re an omega in heat. Right here. In my chambers. You can be lucky, your scent is just faint, otherwise every alpha in the palace would probably try to break down that door…”, Arthur explained. Hold back. Be reasonable. Common sense. No instincts. No mating Merlin without thinking!

“I’m suppressing it. Just… Give me a moment. Few minutes. I’ll be off. I’ll leave,. The palace, Camelot, whatever, just… Just a moment, I…”, Merlin tried to explain himself. Tried again to get up from the bed and collapsed onto it again with a moan, as the shirt he seemed to have used as a blanket slid off him, over his bare skin, tingling it and… Oh fuck, Merlin was so sensitive! Arthur could see the hair on his neck rise. Stupid alpha brain, reacting to every sign of arousal thousand times stronger than what was healthy. And Merlin was fucking aroused! He was in heat! Every inch of his body must be itching with want, need! How was Arthur supposed to survive this?

“Stay. You can’t go out like that. They would…” And then his jealousy kicked in. Any other alpha could – and probably would – try to take Merlin. Mount him. Maybe even mark him. And Arthur, proud prince he was, could not – under no circumstances – accept that! He could not send him out there! Anywhere! Merlin had to stay here. Right here. With him. In his chambers, in his room, in his lair. His, his, his!

“Yeah, I… Fuck, this is bad…”, Merlin agreed to his suggestion, trembling from his heat. From desire. Oh fuck, he looked so done, so dishevelled, so beautiful. And Arthur’s alpha brain got even more jealous. Wanted himself to be the reason for this. For Merlin’s state. Fuck, he wanted him. He needed this omega! Now!

“I… Err, fuck. You, you said, you’re suppressing it. How? Maybe we can do more? Suppress the heat?”, he insisted, not knowing what to do, so trying to stay composed. Tactical. Like he would in battle. Well, at least he was trying not to jump him, because Merlin’s smell, Merlin’s looks, every thing about him was driving him crazy right now.

“Too late now. I’ve been taking my suppressant, but somehow I still got, ahhhh, fuck, Arthur, your… Fucking alpha pheromones!”, the dark-haired complained, as he moaned, eyes full of lust, dark with desire. He must be barely holding himself together.

“Your suppressants failed? Fuck. Can we do anything?”

“Already doing what I can about the scent, but… Fuck, I’m only that strong, ‘n you’re… You’re a fucking alpha, making nothing better at aaaaaaahhhl!”, Merlin tried to tell him, while subconsciously clenching his ass cheeks together. Stupid alpha brain, he scolded himself  for noticing immediately. For his brain sending that information straight into his hard prick. This was not the right moment to get absolutely overwhelmed by his urges!

“I… I can’t help it, Merlin! You’re an omega in heat! How am I supposed to react?”, Arthur almost shouted accusingly. He was well aware what his pheromones must be doing to Merlin right now but he had absolutely no chance to stop it, to control it. He was busy enough controlling his body to stay where it was, keeping his throbbing dick inside his pants, thank you very much!

“Clotpole! Idiot! Ass! Oh fuuuuuck!”, his servant tried to insult him, glare at him, then moved and then ended up, helplessly grinding down on his bedsheets, because they were just there, right under his groin and he was probably all hard and leaking slick and, oh fuck, this was not helping. Rational! Arthur had to stay rational!

“If you don’t shut your filthy mouth, I’ll make you!”, he threatened and realized at the very same moment how bad of an idea that had been, because Merlin looked at him, gaze sliding down. Towards his flies, staring at his painfully hard dick and the he fucking licked his lips! That was not fair! That was so not fair!

“Shit…”, the servant realized, eyes shooting up, to his master’s face again. He looked guilty. And incredibly hot and flustered. And he pressed his groin down into the blanket even more, rubbed himself off on that feeling, the friction. Arthur knew. He could read it on his face, and fuck, this had no right to be so hot!

“How… How do you take care of this. I mean… Usually?”, he wanted to know. Reason. Rational thoughts! No staring at Merlin humping his bed, fantasizing about how he would press him into the mattress, give him a proper reason to relief himself onto his sheets! He was fucked. He was so utterly fucked…

“...Been a while. I’m taking the suppressants. Have, even before coming to Camelo-ohhh-t. Last heat had been… Fuck, It’s been years and, ahhnnn….”, Merlin tried to explain, biting his lip, as if the thought of his last heat was making him even hotter, while now more shamelessly rutting against the blanket.

“How did you spend it?”, Arthur wanted to know. Why the fuck did he want to know? His alpha brain was raging with jealousy. And he knew too well that it had no right for this. That he should probably just leave. If only to protect his servant’s virtue.

“Mostly alone, sometimes Will was… Oh fuck, Arthur!”, the dark-haired interrupted himself, of course reacting to the wave of pheromones the prince was emitting as a response to that statement. To the image of Merlin’s friend Will, the sorcerer, spending his heat with him. Doing him! Oh fuck, Arthur could not stand that thought!

Before he could think, he stepped closer, pretty much ran towards the bed, grabbed Merlin’s shoulder and spun him around, so he was lying on his back, Arthur towering over him, holding him down with both hands. And then… Then everything exploded. Arthur had no other words for it. All of a sudden all his senses were drowned in a tsunami of pheromones, of smell and he had absolutely no idea, why he did not just come right then and there, because he felt so absolutely overwhelmed by… By everything. By Merlin. By his scent, his pheromones, that all of a sudden were not just a faint smell, waking hunger for more but an explosion of impressions bursting all around him, blinding him, leaving him moan helplessly against the sensation.

“Fuck…”, he heard his servant swear under him. Then moan, wantingly. Trying to press his hardness against him, rubbing himself off on him, against his leg and fuck, he wanted! Arthur wanted! He had to! He just had to take him! Possess him, mate him! He could not think! Whatever this was, he wanted it all the time. This smell, this feeling! So hot and warm and full of lust, but at the same time it felt like… Like home. Like something long lost  enwrapping him, comforting him and oh fuck, his alpha brain wanted! He wanted!

And so Arthur bend down and sealed this filthy mouth with his own. Kissed him. Hungrily. And found that Merlin tasted just as good as he smelled and oh fuck, he wanted more! He wanted all of him! Of this warm and slippery and oh so greedy tongue that was fighting his, like there was no tomorrow, like this was the last fight they would ever fight in this world. Merlin was hot and desperate and so very, very good. He needed him. Wanted to drown in him, take him, sink into him, become one with him! He wanted to bury himself in this omega! In his servant! His Merlin! Had never wanted anything as much as this! Not even in his most desperate ruts!

Feel. Just feel. He could not think anyway. Had done way more than he was capable of in his current state! Had managed a more or less coherent conversation, even though he had been feeling so hot, so slick and so fucking empty! Even though Arthur’s damned alpha pheromones were floating all around him, making thinking even more difficult, than it already was in his state!

And tomorrow, or the day after tomorrow or after that – whenever he could think straight again – he would start to actually care that he had just exposed his second best kept secret to his prince. To an alpha. An alpha who was about to mount him here and now – at least he hoped for it. Who was… Oh, fuck, that felt so good! This was just what he needed! What he wanted! Those pheromones, this smell! And the touch! The touch was even better! Almost as good as the kiss. The tongue! Fuck, Arthur had no right to be this good, this perfect!

But his heat-infused brain had no way to actually process this. Not now. Not when the weight of a perfect alpha was pressing down on him, holding him in place and, oh fuck, it felt so good, to rub against him, to get at least some friction. Some relief!

“More!”, he panted into the kiss, desperately, because he could not stand it. He felt like he was dying, drowning, if Arthur would not fuck him right here, right now! He needed it. Needed him. His hands, his tongue, his dick and his fucking knot! He wanted to feel his knot inside! Needed it, so desperately, he was sure, he would die if he did not get it. And on the mere thought of it, he felt the slick dripping out of his already soaked hole, making him shiver all over again. This was his worst heat ever, he was sure of it! The worst he had experienced in his whole life so far! But… But it was good, wonderful. Arthur was wonderful. He needed him, wanted him!

“You… Fuck, Merlin, you have no right to be… To be this…”, the prince groaned into his mouth, before kissing him again, sucking his tongue into his mouth and then with just the right amount of pressure, biting it. Holding it between his teeth, so Merlin could not escape.

And instead of escaping, the sorcerer tried to lean even closer, into the kiss, into the body, the source of the strong smell, of Arthur's fucking alpha pheromones that made his head swim. That made him want even more! He was losing it. Merlin was finally losing it. And with ‘it’ – probably his sanity – went his control.

“Need you. Want you. Please! Fuck me, Arthur!”, he begged, when his tongue was free again, because his future king resumed to biting and sucking down his jaw, towards his neck and fuck! This was good! Those teeth so close to... Oh, no, he should not think about it. About the scent glands on his lower neck, about what Arthur’s teeth could do, about… Oh fuck, his pants were soaked now, he knew. He just knew, because just the thought of Arthur biting down there, marking him, claiming him made him so slick and wanting , that he could probably fit his dick inside, including the knot in one single go, even though… Well, being honest, Merlin had never encountered an alpha in that way. He was technically still not only unmarked, but untouched. Which was about to change now, he guessed. And since rational Merlin was on a holiday short trip to wherever, heat-infused Merlin was absolutely in and up for it!

“Fuck me! Need you! Want your knot, alpha!”, he panted, begged, tried to grab some of the fabric of Arthurs shirt, but could not move well, because his alpha was still on top of him, held him down without much effort, still holding his upper arms pressed into the mattress.

“Merlin… Fuck! That’s a bad idea. Very bad idea…”, his prince replied, while biting down his neck, making him shudder all over. Not the right place, not the right intensity, but close enough, to make him moan and press against him.

“Please, Arthur. Need you. Want you, please, please! I’ll be good! Whatever you want, okay, just, just, Oh fucking hell, Arthur!”, he exclaimed when the blonde bit down again, this time even harder and it triggered all his omega instincts. He bared his neck, presented into him, submitted to his alpha in the best possible way. And oh fuck, he wanted more!

“You’ll be good? Obedient even?”, the prince asked in a low voice, now pressing against Merlin’s lower body, sending him to a place very close to heaven for half a second, before he could get a hold of himself again.

“What- whatever, just please! Arthur, I can’t. Please!”

“Get us out of these clothes and I will fulfil your wish, omega. I will fuck you, after you, oh fuck, Merlin!”, Arthur growled in a deep, way too hot voice and before he could even finish whatever he was trying to say, Merlin obeyed, made him exclaim in disbelief. Did, what he wanted, because he would do whatever, just to be filled by this alpha. So his magic reacted, only half noticed by his consciousness, and in the blink of an eye they both were naked, their clothes had just disappeared. Because… Well, because Merlin wanted. And Arthur had wanted them to be naked. So they were naked now and Merlin could press his painfully hard erection directly against this hot firm skin. He needed. He wanted!

“Oh, Arthur, please, please, please!”, he begged desperately, barely noticing what he had just done.

Not even when Arthur’s head shot up and his prince stared at him. Shocked. Bewildered.

But then Merlin’s eyes, still faintly golden from the use of magic, locked with his and he let out another desperate moan. “Arthur!”

“Merlin, you’re… Oh, fuck, you’re the death of me!”, the prince gasped. And then he was no longer staring at him, but kissing him again, chasing his tongue, while changing their position in a more advantageous position. Somehow manoeuvred them a little further onto the bed and himself between Merlin’s now wide spread legs, so their erections were rubbing against each other directly. And… Fuck, it had been barely more than a minute, but the bed was already soaked under his ass! Merlin wanted! He needed it so badly!

“Please!”, he begged even more, spreading his legs wider, tilting his hips, so he would make access easier. So Arthur could take him. Slide into him, if he just changed their position a little. Oh, he wished he would!

One of Arthur’s hand moved between them, barely touched his cock to slide lower and then its owner huffed into their kiss. “You’re leaking…”

“Shaddup! I know…”, Merlin grumbled, but tried to lean into the hand. The fingers that were stroking the very sensitive area behind his scrotum, down towards his wet and slippery hole. Just a little more. Almost there! He needed something inside him. Now! He was trembling with need.

“You’re so wet for an alpha’s cock. So ready for me…”, Arthur breathed into his ear, while one of his fingers teased his entrance, circled it, spread the liquid around it even more.

“Yes, yes, please. Your cock. Your knot. Just… Fuck me Arthur!”, the omega demanded, tried to angle his hips so that the digit would finally slide inside. He could not bear it. He needed to be filled! He just needed it! Relief!

“I knew, you had a filthy mouth, but I didn’t expect this… I’d like to put that mouth of yours to good use, omega. Would you want that? Serve your alpha? Your price, with that mouth of yours?”, Arthur whispered into his ear and bit down his earlobe, while at the same time finally inserting his finger, meeting no resistance at all.

“Ahhn, oh fuck, yes! Yes, Arthur, I would. Everything. Anything, just… More! Please!”, Merlin begged and was heard, because a second and a third finger were inside him in the blink of an eye, finally spreading him open for what was to come. “Ahh, yes, yes! Oh, more!”, was his response. He was ready. He felt ready. So very ready for his first alpha. His first knotting.

“So slick and ready for me. You want it. So badly, right, Merlin?”, Arthur growled into his ear. Fuck, that deep, raspy voice did things to him he had never in his life expected. And he made his prince feel it, too. Obviously, because all of a sudden his fingers were not only coated, but soaked in slick. He was so hot, so willing, so needy. He could not stand it any longer.

“Please, Arthur, please!”, he begged, desperately, moving against his fingers. He wanted his cock. He had to have it. Now!

“Fuck, Merlin, you’re driving me crazy! You’re… You’re mad!”, the prince accused him, before removing his fingers, leaving him whimper, all empty, hole clasping.

“More, please! Your cock! Want it!”, he was babbling. Talking almost nonsense, but he could not care less. He wanted this big, slick alpha cock up his ass and there was nothing stopping him now!

“Okay, okay. Be good, yes? Hold still! ... Fuck, wanna be inside”, Arthur replied and pulled back, relieving the wonderful pressure against his manservant’s hard, twitching cock, making him whimper. And finally positioning himself. Kneeling between Merlin’s spread thighs, cock in hand, rubbing the tip against the slippery mess of his entrance. He felt his hole twitching, aching to be filled. Never ever would Merlin be this shameless, but never ever would he be in full heat in front of – or under – a dominant alpha, willing to fuck him, so nothing he could not care about later. A problem for future-Merlin to solve. Maybe together with rational Merlin? But not today and especially not now!

“I’m good. Very good. Just, pleeeease!”, Merlin mumbled, looking up to his prince, his alpha and his hard, slick, red cock. Fuck, that was big. Way bigger than expected. He had seen it often enough when bathing him, or even half hard in the morning when he dressed his prince, but never this hard and ready. It was… Impressive. Intimidating even, if Merlin were slightly less desperate to finally be filled. “Please?”, he asked again, in a small voice, very nicely, obediently. And then he finally got, what he had been begging for. What he had wanted for what felt like hours!

Arthur pushed forward. Pressed his glans against his rim and then just... Slid inside. Just… Slid in. stretched him wide, so unbelievably wide. If not for his heat and despair, Merlin would have been sure, this would rip him apart, tear him open but instead there was just this delicious stretch, the feeling of fullness, of pressure, of a hot, massive dick sliding into him, spreading him open. But he was so slippery, well lubed and absolutely desperate for this cock, that he could do nothing but enjoy, completely ignoring the faint almost-pain. He gave himself to the feeling. To Arthur. To the alpha!

It took a while until the prince was fully inside him. With a deep breath he finally stilled and looked at his face. At Merlin. ”You’re...Tight. So fucking tight, Merlin, I...Fuck!”, the blonde cursed, biting his lip.

“Fuck me. Please. Can take it, okay?”, the sorcerer begged, moving his hips, trying to get more friction, to feel him move inside. He was big. So very big. And his knot was not even fully swollen. This was to come later.

“How can someone be that fucking tight and talk so dirty?”, Arthur wondered and pulled out a bit, before slowly sliding back inside, moaning, but he was concentrating. What was he concentrating on? He should let go, the dark-haired found.

“How should… I know? Ask your... Other… Ah, yes, like that!”, Merlin panted  between slow, well-considered thrusts. Arthur was definitely holding back. And he did not like that.

“From… Experience?”, his alpha suggested, apparently not reacting to the other implication, while finally increasing his pacing. Even just slightly, but it made Merlin throw his head back in pleasure and moan obscenely.

“What. Experience? Fuck, Arthur, harder!”, the sorcerer gasped in between the most dirty moans. Now they were getting to the good part. Well, they had to. His instincts were telling him. His body was demanding it! Opening up for it. He was so ready! So fucking ready for it all!

“Wait. What?”, his prince then asked and stilled. Stared at him. “What?”, he repeated, obviously needing a lot of self control, for whatever this was.  Why did he stop? This was getting good.

“Later. Just fuck me already! Please! Can’t think straight anyway!”, Merlin begged. And his magic agreed, since it acted on its own, pulled Arthur closer again – like it was grabbing his butt and pulled him in – and then pushed him inside Merlin. Deeper than before and his cock hit something inside the sorcerer that made him scream out his pleasure, beg for more, tears in his eyes. This was bliss. Pure and utter bliss! The bliss of being mated. Being fucked during heat. This was what he was made for. And his magic did not oppose. Did not protect him from the intrusion, it welcomed Arthur instead, pushed him deeper, faster, harder, while Merlin was powerless. He could not do anything to prevent it, not when it was the one single thing he wished for the most at the moment!

“Bastard! How dare you?! Oh fuck, fuck!”, Arthur moaned, following the pushes, thrusting inside him again and again and again and then he started to just give in. To let it all happen. Let himself be guided, wrapped by welcoming waves of pulsing magic. But since he was an alpha prat, he could not just accept it all and was taking back control by kissing and biting at Merlin’s jaw and neck and collarbone, reducing the sorcerer to a moaning mess. And then, when the dark-haired felt the hardness in him twitching, swelling, he felt a hand at his own cock and knew it was Arthur’s .

It did not take much. Maybe two or three pulls and then Merlin was coming. Squirting his cum between their bodies, while all his body was shaking from the sheer force that crashed onto him, into him like a wave, like an ocean breaking down on him. And he was very sure, he had passed out for a moment. Because the next thing he knew was that he felt filled. And happy. This pure bliss, coming from something warm deep inside him. And a part of him knew that it was his body welcoming the alpha’s spent inside him. The dick, still stuck inside him, the swollen knot that prevented the semen from leaking out. And he felt sated. For the moment. So very sated and happy he had not felt in ages, probably never in his life. This was pure bliss.

And he was riding this calming wave of happiness, until Arthur – collapsed on top of him – harrumphed and with a bit of effort turned them to their sides, into a more comfortable position, Merlin assumed. But he still was in no state to make assumptions that exceeded his own physical conditions.

“You... Are an omega...”, the prince mumbled after a while. They were still knotted, so there was no escape right now. Merlin would have preferred some sleep and then maybe, after the rest of the cum had leaked out of his body repeated the process, but maybe this was not very likely. Given the circumstances. Their circumstances. Slowly his brain functions exceeding mere instincts started kicking in again. He was rebooting and... Fuck. He had just been fucked by Arthur Pendragon! By the one and only person in whole Camelot that was never supposed to find out about his nature. Or about his magic or... He was screwed. He was so screwed. Well, yes. He literally had been just minutes ago. But he was also done for. Fucked. Pretty much dead man. Fuck! He panicked.

“Yes?”, he mumbled into Arthur’s neck. Carefully and maybe his voice was a little more high pitched than usual? But what else could he do? He could not just play dead – which was actually pretty tempting.

“And... A sorcerer?”, Arthur continued.

“Maybe?”

“And... Fuck, Merlin!”

”I know. Just... Wait until I can move again, okay? You can’t reach your sword anyway...”

“What?!”

“Please. At least do it yourself, I don’t want to burn on the stake. Please?”, he mumbled, still unable and unwilling to move. He did not want to face the situation. And Arthur. And also... His smell, the scent of the alpha was endearing. And somehow calming. He liked lying here. So close to his scent glands. He could just rub his nose against them, if he tried. If he dared. This had no right to feel that good, not in that situation! Not when he should flee, leave, before he was executed.

“Stop talking nonsense. Why should I kill you? Or get you killed?”, Arthur mumbled.

“Sorcerer? And isn’t disguising one’s true nature also considered a crime here in Camelot?”, he reminded his prince, because, well, should he not be familiar with the laws of his own country?

“Probably. But only if someone accused you...”

“You saw...”

“And I’m angry. Believe me, I’m furious. And we will need to talk about this thoroughly, as soon as we’re done with all this mess, but not now. Not when... Fuck, you’re still in full heat, Merlin. Your pheromones are still drowning me...”, the blonde explained with a sigh. And took a deep breath. Inhaled the air around Merlin. His scent. “The whole castle must smell it...”

“No.”

“No?”

“No. No one will smell it. As long as they don’t get too close. Not touch. ‘m using my magic to hide the scent. Always do...”, the sorcerer mumbled into his neck. He felt... Calm. Safe here. In Arthur’s arms. Head buried in his neck, still knotted. Fuck, they were still literally tied together!

“That explains it. I mean, even when you’re using herbs against the heat, the pheromones don’t just vanish... Morgana does, as far as I know. And I can still tell, she’s an omega...”, his prince replied.

“Mine are stronger. I use them to suppress all of it. Plus the magic. So... Well, there was no way for anyone to figure it out, actually...”

“Unless by you going into heat and exposing your nature in front of everyone...”

“Well, yes...”, he admitted.

“But you’re here, in private. And no one needs to know...”, Arthur voiced his thoughts out loud.

“That.... Works for now, but...”

“But?”

“This will last for at least two more days, maybe longer. You don’t want me here that long...”, Merlin dismissed the idea. This would not work. Arthur was an alpha. He could not be around and alpha for that long without going crazy! “Maybe smuggle me into Gaius’ quarters in the middle of the night? Could stay there and wait it out. Keep it in check with the magic and... Maybe some herbs?”, he thought aloud. How could he survive this, control this?

“No. You’re staying here. You’ll be all alone there. Or is Gaius supposed to help you with...”

“No!”, he exclaimed, shuddering at the mere suggestion. That was... Gross! He shot his prince a glare.

“So, you’re staying here.”

“He can sedate me. Give me something, so I’ll just sleep through it. No need for me to be here and...”

“And?”

“Your fucking pheromones, Arthur. Can hardly ignore them in my state. It will kill me. Also the blankets are still dirty. No way for me to stay here!”, be tried to dismiss this stupid idea. Again. There was no way he could survive this here!

“You... Merlin, you’ll stay with me. Not just in this room.  I’ll... I’ll support you with this heat... Thing...”, Arthur simply explained. Clearing his throat.

“You’ll? You’d?... You have no idea what you’re saying. That’s the pheromones. You’re still under the influence. You can hardly think straight!”, the dark-haired mumbled, shaking his head in disbelief. The future king of Camelot could not be suggesting THIS! Not to a mere servant. A sorcerer. He definitely was not thinking straight!

“Ask me again after the ceremony. The effect should wear off by then, right?”

“You... Oh, fuck! The ceremony! What time is it?!”, he suddenly realised, head jolting up. He looked around in fear. Out of the window. And sighed in relief.

“Sun’s still up. It will start at sunset. So I have about an hour, I guess. Hm... I still need to bathe, I suppose...”, the prince explained with a sigh, following his gaze.

And then Merlin felt a slight change in their arrangement. In the feeling filling him up. The knot had deflated enough and due to the movement, Arthur’s now soft cock was slipping out of him, leaving a wetness between his legs. Soon his sperm would drip out of him. And he would mourn the loss. He just knew. Because his instincts were already starting to react to the fresh feeling of emptiness. Stupid omega brain!

“Ah, that comes handy now”, the blonde commented on their state and then cursed. “Fuck... How am I supposed to clean? I mean... I’m in no state to step out and get a servant... Didn’t think this through, hm?”

“Idiot...”, the sorcerer just huffed, enjoying the sudden opportunity for a distraction. Because he could not still be hot and willing, could he? He could. He remembered the feeling all too well. His first heats. And the ones he had, before he had decided to not have them any more. To  just not expose anyone to this danger. The loss of control. And well, yes... He had been very, very wanton. Very. But instead of thinking about that, he just waved his hand and called for his magic, muttering a few words that would lead the bathtub to be filled with hot water. Water exact the right temperature. The temperature Arthur preferred. And it would stay as warm, until he allowed it to get cold.

He was a lazy servant. And he knew too well that with this action he had just admitted to it. But he could not let Arthur step out of the room in THIS state! No, actually like this he would rather just drag him closer and maybe just resume the thing they had done with their mouths? And was there not still a promise hanging in the air? Another use of tongue? His cock twitched, expressing mild interest in his thoughts.

But no. Bad idea. Arthur had to attend his ceremony. He could not just call in sick! That was impossible! He was the whole reason for the ceremony! He needed to get it over and done with! Had to get himself presentable and all.

Luckily the price had not caught on his inner turmoil, including the flush spreading across his servant’s cheeks at the thought doing it again. Instead he had lowered himself into the tub and sighed in relief. “You’re a cheater, Merlin! When was the last time you actually filled the tub yourself?”, he instead called him out, when properly seated.

“A while... I think...”, the dark-haired mumbled, pretending to ignore the naked alpha just metres away from him.

“Well, comes handy, I guess. I think, I’ll allow it for now. Can you move?”, the prince asked, looking over to him, before sliding his wet hand through his fringe, combing his hair back. And fuck. It had no right to look that good!

“Rather not?”, the sorcerer mumbled, dwelling in his gaze, the blue eyes set on him. On his naked, sticky body. Fuck, under any other circumstances he would be embarrassed, he would die! But his fucking birdbrain –  omega brain to be precise – just found it appealing. Wanted to present himself. To his alpha. Wanted spread himself out on the sheets and show Arthur, what he could have. Again and again and again. Fuck, he was getting hot again. So he just rolled onto his stomach to hide his hardening cock and even had the decency to pull at least a part of the blanket over his now exposed butt.

“Fine, just stay there, then. You said, the shirt’s on the chair? Breeches?”, the prince asked, as casually as possible, given the circumstances.

“All prepared. Can you do it on your own?”, Merlin wanted to know, suppressing a shiver. He hated that. Knew exactly why he had suppressed all that for so long. This was a curse! A damn curse! He knew why there were only so few omegas in this world. Only ten percent of the population were omegas, maybe a fifth of them male, because being a male omega absolutely sucked! Merlin had first hand experience!

The 75 percent betas living in the kingdom had it way easier. No heats, no ruts, no pheromones distracting them, no strangers who wanted to approach and take and force and…. It had not been easy, when he was being honest. Especially for a young, inexperienced omega. But well, he was, who he was. And he would not change it, he guessed, even though he hated it so many times. It was a part of him, like his magic. And, well,  he had to be careful with this gift.

“Of course! You alright?”, Arthur interrupted his thoughts as he emerged from the basin and started drying himself. And yes, that was very interrupting. Merlin could not help, but stare at his slender, muscular body, train of thoughts totally forgotten, derailed. He was taking in  the drops of water running down his skin, catching in the hair of his chest and groin. He swallowed. Hard. And bit his lower lip. A wave of alpha pheromones hit him. The prince had noticed his stare. Returned it.

“I can still smell you. You sure, your spell works?”, he asked the very distracted sorcerer.

“I, err… Yes. Yes. I mean… Wait, gonna renew it, just a second…”, he stammered, forcing himself to concentrate. To bear it. To ignore his heat, the power of the pheromones rushing through his vanes, like hot iron. And cast the spell again, making sure, no one would smell him. And added a little extra just for the alpha that was still, even after the bath, drenched in his own pheromones. And Arthur took a breath of relief, which he had no right to find disappointing, because they had things to do. There was a whole ceremony going on! Half of Camelot and the surrounding kingdoms visited  the palace this week! He could not just lie here and pine for the crown price. Fantasize about him knotting him again. About his thick, throbbing cock filling him up. No, no, dangerous grounds! Especially when he was still in full heat. He could feel a gulp of slick, probably infused with his alpha’s sperm, dripping down between his thighs and was just glad, that Arthur could not see. And probably not smell, either.

Luckily. Because he had to be busy, getting ready for his big day. For his coming-of-age and the formal introduction to the other rulers. They had gone through the formalities at least twice a day in the past week, so Merlin knew exactly, what was about to happen, what he was preparing for. But right now he could not bring his heat-infused brain to care. He wanted. He needed. And he just had to have him. But he could not. He understood. Rationally this was all right, made perfect sense, but to his omega instincts this was wrong. Arthur dressing up, Arthur being relived that he did not smell him any more, did not smell like Merlin any more was just wrong. It felt like a rejection. And a rejection to an omega in heat was the worst.

He felt the tears well up in his eyes at the loss, but knew that it was silly. So he pulled the blanke,t he was still half lying on, onto his head and bit his tongue. He would wait it out. It would pass. It always passed.

“Hey, Merlin?”, he then heard Arthurs soft voice.  He heard him stepping closer, because of course all his senses were heightened and he was way too sensitive. So he felt the hand on his head even through the fabric and wanted nothing more than to lean in to it. Into the touch. He craved the touch. But when Arthur touched, his spell would probably break. He would flood his alpha brain with a wave of his omega pheromones that would definitely make instincts kick in. And no matter how much he wanted to be mated again, he understood that Arthur needed to go.

“’m fine. Go already. I’ll wait. Just... Just...”, he mumbled, still covered by the blankets.

“Just?”, the prince asked, voice still gentle.

“...Tell Gaius, I’m save. ‘kay?”

“Okay? Does... I mean, does Gaius know?”

“He knows everything. Both, I mean, I... Fuck, just go! Your pheromones are killing me here!”, Merlin exclaimed, faking anger, while in fact he just wanted to be stripped of the blanked and fucked into the mattress. Hard. Again. So very hard.

“I’ll be back. I’ll hurry. Just stay in here. Don’t leave. I’ll , I’ll lock the door. Trust me, Merlin?”

“Always.”

And with that last exchange, Arthur left the room. Left him alone. In silence. Alone with his instincts. With his omega brain. And the smell of an alpha all around him. And maybe this was really at least a little better, than being all alone. And maybe their coupling had actually gotten the edge off, at least enough for him to not totally lose it? Fuck, this would be a long night!

Chapter Text

The ceremony began and proceeded. Nothing happened at all, at least nothing out of the ordinary. Arthur was just a regular alpha coming of age, who was formally introduced. He held a speech, Uther held a speech and the rules of the surrounding kingdoms also held speeches, congratulating him. He was offered wine, which he refused, and company, which he also refused and then finally the actual negotiations started. Which was not officially part of the ceremony, but was to be expected. He was offered the other kind of company. Possible mates. Omegas from all over Albion. Some ruler offered a hidden daughter or cousin or even a grandson to him, which he politely declined. But Uther took it all in consideration and so the offers were brought to the king directly. Finally. He was left alone.

So he could just sit next to him, to his right, Morgana to his left and wait until it was finally over. Or at least far enough gone, that his absence was not noticed. Or whatever. He needed to go back. Needed to return to his chambers. To that fucking omega! To Merlin, wo had kept more than one big secret from him. Who he swore to protect. Not to harm. At least to himself, because Merlin would have been in no state to actually understand the whole meaning. He had been in heat. Was still. Barely clear enough for their conversation after their mating. But... It had been enough for this. And when this was finally over, they would talk. Properly. About all that. About him being the most attractive omega in the kingdom, probably in whole Albion! Well, that meant, if Arthur did not realize after the heat, that he had just been influenced by omega pheromones and that this had been only a temporary delusion, but... Something told him, this was not. Which was bad. Very bad.

“Son? Arthur, did you even listen to what I said?”, Uther snapped him out of his wandering thoughts. Which was probably for the better, because they had just drifted towards soft and silky skin, covered in slick and cum and no! Just no! This was not good! Bad Idea to think about that right now! So he looked towards his father and blinked.

“What was it? Excuse me, father, I... I’ve not been feeling well...”, he then admitted quietly, so only the king would hear.  Hoping to have a excuse at hand.

“You’re not paying attention...”, his father told him.

“As I said. I’ve not been feeling well. Couldn’t skip the ceremony, but now I start to feel tired...”

“Maybe you’re getting sick, son? You hardly showed any interest in the possible mates...”

“Maybe...”

“Hmm...” Uther looked him up and down. Disapproving. But well, that was his default look, when he was looking at his son. So Arthur did not pay it any mind. He was used to it. “You are way too sensitive to stress. As an alpha you cannot show weakness. Go now, before someone notices. Make sure to get well again...”

The prince nodded. “I will, father.”

“See Gaius, he shall examine you. And... When you are well, you will need to make up for any missed duty of yours!”

“Yes, father”, he nodded again. Was dismissed and stood up. As he left his seat, he felt Morgana’s gaze follow him for a moment, but the dark-haired woman soon was dragged into a conversation and he made his way towards the exit, where the court physician was standing, scanning the room, as if discreetly looking for something. Someone. And the prince remembered his servant’s request.

“Gaius?”, he approached the old man.

“Milord?”

“Are you looking for something?”, he wanted to know.  Did not yet know how to get to the point. Tell him what he had to say.

“Well, I was just wondering, where your manservant might be”, the doctor admitted, now shifting his whole attention towards him.

“Merlin? Oh... He could not make it”, Arthur told him, discreetly nodding his head towards the door. Then started walking. The old man followed him.

“Oh? That is surprising. I was under the impression, that he was looking forward to the ceremony...”, he told his prince, now standing in the  hallway.

“He was. But the circumstances changed...”, Arthur started to explain, but then interrupted himself, as two guests passed them. He nodded at them, returning to the feast. Politely. Waited until they passed, while Gaius was looking at him.

“I... I told my father I was not feeling well. When he asks, tell him, I need rest...”, he then resumed their conversation at a totally different point. Before he forgot.

“Is he alright?”, the physician whispered, looking for any potential listeners.

“He is...”

“Gaius? There you are!  Your presence is required in the hall!”, a familiar voice interrupted them. It was Gwen, smiling at them, then turning and walking back the way she had come. So they did not have much time for their conversation.

They could not talk. Not openly. The walls had ears. And probably other body parts. This was risky. Arthur needed to improvise. Hope that the physician was not as dense as a certain manservant could be.

“I am not feeling well... I will need to rest in my chambers for the next two or three days, you see? Merlin will be with me”, he told him. This should be fine, he hoped. Could not just speak aloud what was going on.

“I... I see... So... He will be in your chambers, while you rest?”, the old man wanted to clear up. Apparently trying to guess, what the prince meant.

“Personal care, you see? I don’t want this to get around, Gaius. It is probably just a light cold. A bit hot, you see? Want to be in bed... “, the blonde said, empathising certain words in his explanation, while looking into wise eyes.

The eyes widened. Their owner hurriedly looked around. Then back at the blonde. Alarmed.

“Do you... Need anything, Milord?”, he then asked, carefully.

“Just... Some of the usual supplies. What you need, to take care of this nasty cold. Would you leave it in front of my door?”, Arthur asked. Not really sure, what would end up in front of his door. He was not actually familiar with the needs of an omega in heat. He has learned the theory in the obligatory birds and bees talk years ago, but had never bothered to actually get more information, because... Well, Morgana. He of course could and would never ask her. And he did not know other omegas. He would definitely not ask Guinevere!

“Yes, Milord”,  the physician nodded. Then harrumphed. “I... The taking care... Will the two of you manage it?”

“Of course! I mean... Gaius, please. Don’t ask!”, he sighed. He did not want to elaborate. Actually he did not even think about it. This was a problem for later.

“I see. Then, I will be on my way. Farewell, my prince”, the old man indicated a bow. Then they parted ways and suddenly Arthur was very alone and very insecure.

He fished for his key and opened the door to his chambers. The chambers he would rest in. Probably half the castle would suspect tomorrow morning that he was sick, the grape vine was quite effective when you tried to keep things a secret. So probably no one would bother him them. Because most servants were not too eager to deal with a sick alpha prince. He knew, was not oblivious to what the servants thought of him, but most of the time he did not care. Had not too much, before this one servant came into his life, insulted him – still did on a daily base – and told him right a way, that he was a spoilt brat. Which he disliked. But it had made him pay attention. Notice that even the betas, who were oblivious to his pheromones, would not approach him when he was in a bad mood. Well, except for one beta. Who would mock him, when he was sick, but would still take care of him. Nah, not a beta, he guessed. An omega. Who should have been even more responsive to his pheromones, to the aura of fear that would sometimes waver around him. He had dealt with him all the time.

Arthur wondered, if those herbs had been able to make him stand it, or whether it was just a Merlin-thing. Many things were just so normal for Merlin, typical, while no one else would even think of it. Merlin would talk back, would stand his ground, would be the worst manservant to ever walk the earth, but he had always been... Well, everyone would assume, Merlin would take care of him. Because that was just a thing, Merlin would do. No one would question him putting up with a sick, ill tempered alpha, who would most likely be spending his time sleeping or throwing things at him, so no one would come near his chambers, would probably just place things in front and leave. Let Merlin deal with his temper.

While in fact their situation would be entirely different. He knew, as he stepped through the door and hurriedly shut it behind him. Locked it. Just to make sure. And took in the situation in front of him.

Immediately his alpha brain took over, not leaving him time to process what was happening. Even without the smell. With just a faint hint of omega pheromones, well hidden by magic. He stepped closer. Reached out with his hand, interrupting the omega on his bed.

The omega lying on his back, panting heavily. Moaning. One hand at his hard cock, pumping it frantically, other hand reaching between his legs, four fingers shoved into his leaking hole.  Fresh cum on his chest. And slick, so much slick on the sheets. Merlin was desperate and the second he had stepped in, his gaze was on him.

Arthur reached out, touched his knee, because that was the closest he could reach and was hit by a wall of pheromones. He had heard of traps that used mechanisms with walls coming closer and crushing potential intruders and he felt like he just had been hit by one. By a massive brick wall. By omega pheromones that made his cock harden so fast, it hurt in his breeches.

“Merlin!”, he panted, now helplessly grabbing his knee, while with his other hand fumbling the laces separating him from skin to skin contact with this hot, wet and slick mess.

“Arthur! Fuck, Arthur, you’re here!”, the sorcerer moaned, seemed to have noticed what he was trying and suddenly with a flash of golden eyes, the prince was naked. This was definitely not fair and he should not appreciate magic under any circumstances, but this came handy. This solved his problem and made it possible for him to spread his omega’s legs and crawl onto the bed, over him in one swift movement.

“How many times?”, he whispered into Merlin’s ear, before burying his nose and teeth in his servant’s neck. Where the smell was even more intense. This was definitely not just normal omega pheromones. Not a normal smell. He had smelled Guinevere in heat and even as he had been attracted to her, it had not been that strong. That overwhelming.

It had been bad, yes. He had avoided the blacksmith’s workshop for days and had even smelled it on the training grounds, but... But that could not compare to Merlin. Merlin. Merlin. Merlin. The omega. His omega. His. His. His!

“What?”, his servant asked confused and horny and desperate, now unable to release, since Arthur’s body was on him, making it unable to stroke his dick further. He was only barely moving the fingers inside of him, chasing his instinct’s decree.

“How many times since I left?”, Arthur asked, biting his neck. Only centimetres above that place. Above where the scent glands were located. Where he would mark his mate. His. His!

“T-two... Tried to sleep, but.. You’re still everywhere, oh fuck, there, there!”, the sorcerer moaned, as he finally understood. Assumed. And turned his head, bared his neck to his alpha.

“With four fingers inside?”, the prince wanted to know and licked over his glands.  He had no idea why he was torturing Merlin. And mostly himself, while actually he just wanted to be inside him, to replace those fingers and mount him, fuck him, knot him, release inside him.

The idea of Merlin’s hole filled with his cum made him moan, press his teeth against just the right spot. He wanted. Oh fuck, Arthur wanted!

“Yes! Yes! Four. Not enough, was not enough!”, Merlin panted, tried to press himself against his prince’s skin.

“You want my cock?”

“Yes! Thought of you. Please. Please. Knot me, alpha!”, he begged and this did it for Arthur. With just a few well calculated movements – no, actually no calculation was involved at all, since he was merely relying on his instincts – he was kneeling on the sheets, in the wet mess his omega had left and was pressing his tip against the gaping hole.

“Oh fuck!”, he moaned, as the tight muscle ring sucked him in greedily.

“Arthur! Fuck! Yes!”, was the sorcerer’s response, mouth wide open, eyes dark with lust.

He could smell him. Smell his lust, his ecstasy. And could not help it. As soon as he was all the way inside him, he pulled out again. And pushed back inside.

“Yes! Yes! Like that! Fuck, Arthur!”, Merlin screamed and tried to get a hold, tried to hold onto him and while doing so, his nails sunk into the skin on Arthur’s back. Scratched him and the blonde suddenly had the strong feeling to have discovered a new kink. He could barely fight back his fast approaching orgasm. Too soon! This was way too soon for him! He could not just come like that!

“Merlin!”, he shouted, stilling for a moment. Catching  his breath.

“More?”, the sorcerer pleaded. Drove his nails into Arthur’s skin again and holy fuck. That bastard knew!

“Don’t tease me, Merlin. You might regret it!”, the alpha growled, baring his teeth, dangerously. But Merlin seemed to be turned on by danger – hardly a surprise, considering how often he seemed to stumble upon the most curious incidents – since his hole tightened significantly around him and made him moan, thrust into him out of reflex.

“Won’t. Won’t. Just fuck me, Arthur. Please!”

Arthur did. But not without leaning forward, down and kissing this filthy, daring mouth. At least this would make him shut up. Moan into the kiss while clinging to him, scratching him, surrounding him, clenching his throbbing cock desperately.

“Please.... Please... Fuck, Arthur!”, the dark-haired still somehow managed to pant into their kiss, so the prince sucked in his tongue. Held it between his teeth and fucked him mercilessly. Again and again. And felt his orgasm building.

“Fuck., I’ll...”, he tried to warn his omega, as he felt his knot swelling, but the pair of hands grabbed him tighter, pulled him down against him, nails definitely drawing blood and then he felt Merlin tense. His whole body started trembling, hole tightening around him. And then Arthur came. Could not hold it in any longer. His cock twitching, again and again, releasing inside Merlin, pumping his sperm into him with every further thrust.

“Arthur...”, his servant breathed into his mouth. And then they resumed their kissing, more lazily now. Gently. But not less intensely.  Now that Arthur did not need his arms to steady himself, he wrapped them around Merlin and started lazily stroking his skin.

This time they did not talk, while entwined, unable to separate. They just lay there. Dwelling in each other’s scent, as time passed.

The only word spoken was Merlin’s breathy “again?”, as Arthur’s dick twitched inside him, knot already deflated.

With a nod the alpha kissed him again, lips reddened and probably slightly swollen from all the kisses they had shared. And he felt himself hardening inside his omega. His Merlin. His!

“Still alive?”, the prince asked him a while later and stroked the damp fringe out of his eyes. Merlin was still breathing. That much he could confirm. He was lying on top of him now, had been riding him not long ago, then collapsed on his chest. They were still connected.

“Hm-m...”, the sorcerer confirmed lamely, inconspicuously checking his own body functions. A part of his brain, no probably it was his magic itself, sang out to him, told him that soundproofing the room as soon as Arthur had left, had been a good idea. But well, back to checking inside his body. The outside world could wait. He was tired. Sticky all over. His hole was stretched by the knot that was keeping a significant amount of sperm inside of him, but that aside he was fine.

“Feeling?”

“Hm?”

“How are you feeling?”

“Oh...”, he made. Thought. “Fine. I think. Cannot move a muscle, but...”, he tried to shrug, but failed. He indeed felt fine. Good even.

“Think, you can sleep?”, his prince suggested.

“Dunno. ‘m tired...”

“Sleep. During my ruts I can barely sleep more than a couple of hours at all. You’ll need rest...”

“Sounds smart. Since when are you smart?”, he mumbled. Hid a cheeky smile against Arthur’s neck.

“I am smart. You’re just too dull, to notice”, Arthur replied, without bite. He caressed his hair.

“Prat...”

“Idiot...”

“Clodpole”, he grumbled. Rubbed his nose against the blonde’s neck. And felt very, very tired. He knew, Arthur was right. He really should sleep. Every hour he slept, was an hour he would not feel the effects of his heat.

When he opened his eyes again – not really sure when he had closed them – he was still lying on a very big and very comfortable bed. One he had spent hours on, so far. But he felt rested, this he could tell. Still feverish hot, body tingling and itching in strange ways, but... Clean. Not as damp and sweaty and covered in sperm as he was supposed to be. He blinked. Slightly confused. And looked up. Looked around. Definitely Arthur’s room. Arthur’s bed. Arthur’s scent all around him. Arousing him, tempting him. But right now he felt surprisingly clear.

“Awake?”, the alpha asked from across the room. Subconsciously Merlin’s eyes searched for him, found him and felt relieved. He was not alone. Not rejected. The alpha was with him, though not on him, in him, around him. That still was comforting.

“What time is it?”, he asked. It was dark in the room. So not yet morning?

“Sun will rise soon, I guess. Did you get some rest?”, the prince answered and asked in return.

Merlin nodded. “Did you....Did you clean me up?”, he then wanted to know, not sure if something like this could ever be expected from the future king of Camelot.

“Not that I wouldn’t have, but you did that yourself”, the not-yet king replied and made a gesture with his hand that probably implied the use of magic. Really? Had he done that? Had he subconsciously cleaned himself up in his sleep? Well, he had probably done worse under similar circumstances.

“Oh...”

“And me as well. Saved a lot of time”, Arthur told him.

“I see. Did you... Sleep?”, the sorcerer then wanted to know. Needed to know. Because his lordship sat there, on his chair like he had done exactly this for hours. Working on some paperwork that would probably ensure peace in the kingdom or make sure the amount of eggs received from one village was correct. Whichever. Both was absolutely possible 

“Yes. But I’ll be stuck here for a bit, so I thought, I’d get some work done... Which I can forget now, am I correct?”, the prince asked, looking at him, raising his eyebrows. Then subconsciously wetting his lips with his tongue. He was wearing a nightshirt, Merlin noticed. And though it was only a simple piece of fabric, made for private use and practicality only, it still looked good on the proud alpha prince. Well, probably a potato sack would look good on him, and he was well aware of this fact most of the time. Which was the reason for his sometimes unbearable ego, which his manservant tried to keep in check as best as he could.

“Correct? Hm?”, the manservant repeated, not really processing what he had said. He was almost mesmerized by the blonde’s beauty. And his pheromones. Fuck, Arthur was an alpha. A dominant alpha. Every omega would fall for him, he was not to blame! Plus he was in heat! His dick was already hard again, twitching against the blankets and he could feel his entrance getting ready for what he assumed would come.

“Merlin? Your scent. Does the spell still work?”, Arthur wanted to make sure, looking at his with eyes filled with lust. He was definitely not unaffected by his heat. By his want.

“Hm? Ahhh, works!”, the dark-haired reached out with his magic, checked. Meanwhile watched him, as he stood up from the chair and moved closer, without breaking the eye contact. A predator’s smile on his lips. And this had no right to be this hot! Merlin was no prey, waiting for a hungry beast to claim and take him! He was just... Well, maybe he was. Just a little..

“I can smell you, you know? Your scent is so strong, I thought I’d let it out for everyone to smell when I opened that door...”, Arthur almost growled. His voice was dark and deep and sexy and it made him shudder against his will. This predator was so going to fetch him, to pin him down and... A gulp of slick found it’s way down, out of his hole, dripping down between his butt cheeks and he could not suppress a little sigh. Was he... Expecting this? Waiting for his alpha to take him? Not full of despair, but wanton and greedy?

“Fuck, Merlin! You’re dripping wet between your thighs, aren’t you?”, the prince asked, sniffed. Well, that was really just a rhetorical question, because of course he knew. He could smell how willing he was. Not only his body was, in fact, but his mind, too. And his magic! Of course his magic was ready for it! It was humming inside his body happily, trying to reach out for his other half, for his destiny, but he could not think about this now. About what that meant. Right now he only cared about what was about to happen in this room. Probably on this bed. Or in the tub? He had heard of people doing it in the tub. The thing was big enough to fit both of them, if they decided to just give it a go, but... Well, he had never really done that. Would his omega brain also guide him through something like that or did he have to figure it himself?

“Yes… Arthur, can you… Just?”, he mumbled, biting his lip. The alpha was standing right in front of him now. Watching him. If Merlin were not already naked, Arthur would probably undress him with his hungry gaze.

“Impatient?”, the prince grinned and crawled onto the bed, licking his lips.

“You’re a fucking alpha. What do you think? Now get here and do your job!”, he demanded dwelling in the alpha pheromones. And then he sat up, wrapped his arms around his neck and just pulled him in. needy, but… He felt strangely comfortable. He had never felt like that during his heats. Never felt that save.

“Sore?”, Arthur asked a while later, as his knot was finally deflating, cock not yet slipping out of his omega. The first rays of the morning sun were starting to enlighten the room.

“Huh? A little, I think…”, said omega replied after thinking, head resting on his chest. He lay on top of his prince, definitely not snuggling into him, thank you very much.

“Want me to… Take care of that?”

“Hm?”

“Gaius brought a salve. And… Other things…”

“Huh? When...?”, the sorcerer mumbled and looked up. Rolled to the side, onto the sheets, so he could properly blink at Arthur. And while doing so, his now soft dick slid out of him and he immediately regretted it. The feeling of being filled was replaced by emptiness and a slight sting. Yes. Yes, he was sore.

“You wanted me to talk to him. He brought things when you were sleeping, just placed them  there, knocked and left. A salve, I think, some oil, herbs and some food”, Arthur explained. “When have you last eaten?”

“Hm?” Merlin had to think. Concentrate. Which was not that easy in his current state. “... Stole some bits from your plate in the morning before waking you...”, he then admitted. Well, Arthur knew. And Merlin knew that he knew. They had just never really addressed it openly, sometimes kind of argued around it – he had accused his prince of getting fat and the prince had called him gangly in return – but had never spoken about it aloud.

“That’s a whole day. You should eat”, the alpha decided.

“Hm... I’m not hungry...”

“I didn’t ask you, if you were hungry, idiot!”, he sighed and Merlin was sure, he rolled his eyes. Then Arthur gently pushed him away, to sit up. And while the sorcerer rationally understood his motivation, he could not help but feel hurt at the rejection.

He let out a small whine and curled up on the blanket. Bit his tongue as he realised it and found himself stupid. But it was how it was. He felt it in his heat-infused omega brain. It hurt.

“Hey, I’ll just grab some food. I’ll be back”, the prince told him, voice suddenly very gentle. He caressed his shoulder. Then placed a small kiss on his cheek and got up.

He was back in less then a minute with a tray that he placed in the nightstand. Then he sat next to the omega and gently scratched the sensitive area behind Merlin’s ear. The dark-haired sighed, tried to suppress a shudder. But could not stop himself from closing his eyes and leaning in to the touch.

“You have to eat, when you want to go on for two more days...”, Arthur told him.

“Feed me...”, Merlin dared, not really thinking at all. He would resume to rational thinking after this was all over. Now he was running on instincts and sudden whims he could not suppress. Fucking hormones!

“Spoilt omega”, Arthur chuckled. He seemed amused, but actually fetched a piece of apple from the tray and brought it to the sorcerer’s mouth. “Say ‘ahh’!”

And Merlin opened his mouth. Bit the piece in half and started chewing. “Even when serving, you can still be an absolute prat”, he noted and swallowed. Snatched the rest of the apple with his teeth.

“You have absolutely no respect at all... This is not how you should treat your alpha”, the prince huffed, but fetched a cooked carrot piece to feed to him. And Merlin – eyes still closed, waiting for more – noticed him still for a moment. Hesitate. But well, rational thinking and stuff...

“Not my alpha at all...”, he shrugged, chewing the carrot. Swallowing it. “Haven’t marked me. I’m a free omega. Free to insult you all I like. More, please”, he added and opened is mouth again. Waited.

Arthur stared at him for a brief second, then just resigned to his fate and fed him a piece of chicken he just grabbed without looking. He was way too fascinated by Merlin. By this cheeky – maybe just world-weary – omega sorcerer without any manners or basic respect for him. He was the prince, for fuck’s sake! Merlin could be beheaded just for his attitude! This was treason! And still the dark-haired never seemed to care. He never held back. Had always talked back to him, not caring about his rank or status or nature or anything at all.

“I could...”, he heard himself saying.

“Hm?”, the sorcerer asked, gulping. And opened his mouth for another piece of food.

“Mark you...”, Arthur mumbled and slid another piece of apple into his mouth.

“You’re the prince. That would be stupid...”, Merlin told him, after he had swallowed. Aiming for nonchalant, but he could see his body tense up at the thought. A wave of omega pheromones hit him, told him what his servant actually felt.

“I am well-known for my wise and well calculated decisions. Of course I never would...”, he just said. Kissed the slightly swollen lips and tasted his mouth. The traces of apple.

“Turn around.”, he ordered after a few minutes had passed.

“Want me from behind, like some, some... Err, some beast? I’m not a dog!”, the sorcerer protested and tried to glare at him, which was not very effective, given the obvious traces of lust in his eyes at the thought.

“Your, well, ‘it’ must be swollen. Your lips are red from kissing, what do you think, your, your down there must look like?”

“Ass. Just say ‘ass’. It’s my asshole we’re talking about!”, Merlin informed him, but actually complied and turned onto his stomach. This actually was a little embarrassing, but somehow he was amused by Arthur not being able to call his butthole what it was.

“Cheeky bastard!”, the prince scolded as slapped his left ass cheek playfully.

“Hey!”, the manservant protested, but could not completely hide a smile. Tried to bury his face in the pillow on the sheets instead.

Arthur did not reply. He grabbed both his cheeks and spread them apart to take a look at his ‘down there’, as he had called it.  “Hmmm..”, he then made and took a closer look.

Merlin’s hole really was swollen. And red. Half dried slick was covering not only it, but the tights, his balls and probably a considerable part of the bedsheets, too. Something was leaking out of the well used entrance and it took him a moment to realise, it was his own sperm. Fuck!

“Fuck, Arthur’s! What’re you doing? That feels... Fuck, watch your pheromones, clodpole!”, the omega complained probably not aware that he was wiggling his butt invitingly.

“Says you... Do you have any idea, how filthy you look?”, the prince replied. Filthy in this statement meant something like ‘ hot’ or ‘tempting’ or probably ‘absolutely delicious’, which he was very aware of and had the slightest feeling, he was not the only one.

“Do something ‘bout it, if it bothers you, your highness!”, the sorcerer huffed, more breathless than he would be willing to admit.

“Shut up, omega”, Arthur growled a reply and then spread his cheeks further. Came closer, so he could watch his sperm dripping out, running down his skin, along his scrotum, before it dropped onto the sheets.

“Fuuuuck!”, Merlin moan and flinched, as he suddenly felt his breath on his skin, followed by something wet and firm on his balls, sliding upwards, until it reached his hole, only to circle around it. And it took him a long moment in which he simply felt and enjoyed, before he understood, what was happening. The thing was Arthur’s tongue. Arthur had traced the drop of cum back to its origin and now licked his entrance! Came even closer and lay his lips there! Sucked there. And then he pressed his tongue into him.

A wave of hot liquids only had waited for this intrusion and flooded out, right into his mouth. He could taste slick and cum and Merlin. And it felt so utterly wrong and filthy and... He loved it. Arthur fucking loved it!  He pushed his tongue in even further and started doing, what he was told – for once in his life – and he cleaned his manservant.

“Oh fuck, fuck, fuuuuck!”, was Merlin’s reply at the sudden sensation. He bit the pillow and tried to hold still, because every muscle in his body was tensing, urging him to move onto his prince’s tongue, fuck himself on it. Oh fuck, no. Bad idea. Very bad. This was... This was so not right! Arthur was fucking eating him out! Swallowing his own cum, while licking into his ass. This had absolutely no right to feel this...

“Oh fucking hell, Arthur!”, he moaned into the pillow, hoping he was not sounding too desperate. Which he obviously was. This was probably the worst and at the same time hottest thing he had ever witnessed. That had ever happened to him. Fuck, he never had a tongue up his ass, especially not a royal one!

“Ahhhh!” he told the pillow, when Arthur’s tongue actually started pushing in and out, literally fucking him. And then a hand slid between his already spread legs and  strong, firm fingers wrapped around his cock. Of course he was hard. Throbbing and leaking into the sheets. What else would anyone expect from needy omega Merlin who just got eaten out by his usually posh and spoilt alpha prince?

It did not take long. Only minutes and he was trembling all over and then just releasing under Arthur’s ministrations, forcing a large gulp of slick out of his hole, right into the royal mouth.

“Hnnnh...”, he heard his prince moan behind him. And fuck, this was embarrassing. Hot, but embarrassing.

With just a few strokes Arthur brought himself to completion, cumming over the sheets, while his tongue still twisted and turned inside his manservant. His omega manservant he had filled with his sperm not long ago. Who’s hole was all red and swollen, but now clean and still so very, very delicious.

“Arthur, what the fuck?”, mumbled Merlin, as soon he was able to breath again. Still unable to move, he just lay there and waited. Dwelled in the still lingering waves of his just passed orgasm. That had been... Intense.

“The salve. I’m gonna apply the salve now”, Arthur explained, still out of breath and pulled back. Panted. And looked at his work. At what he had caused. Had done to his omega.

“Yes. Fine, I... I’ll stay still...”, the dark-haired replied and was pretty sure that even if his life depended on it, he would not be able to move at all. He felt absolutely exhausted, blissed out and satisfied.

So he barley cared that Arthur reached out for a jar on the tray on the night stand, while shamelessly caressing his cheek.

Then the prince spread his cheeks and applied the ointment carefully.

“Hnn”, the sorcerer gasped, tried to keep silent, but was suddenly very aware of how overstimulated he actually was. The paste was cool and smelled of herbs. Vaguely familiar. Gaius prescribed those for sore muscles, his brain supplied. He had helped making them a few times.

“Better?”, Arthur asked and covered him with the blanket.

“I think…”, the omega replied. Sighed. He did feel better, he supposed. But he had not felt bad to begin with. Just… Well fucked. Which was a very good thing, considering he was an omega in heat.

“Rest some more. And drink”, the prince ordered, because, well, he was a prince, an alpha non the less, so giving orders came natural.

“Don’t tell me, what to do…”, the sorcerer grumbled and changed his position. Lay onto his side.

“You’re my manservant. Of course you do what I say!”, Arthur huffed, poured him a drink and held the goblet in front of his face.

“Don’t start pretending, I do what you tell me. Never have…”, Merlin grumbled, but took the goblet and actually drank. Only then noticed how thirsty he was and greedily swallowed down all the water.

“You’re useless…”

“Sack me…”

“Wouldn’t. And you know that…”

“Then it’s your own fault… If you keep me, I’m not responsible…”

“Sleep, Merlin. I won’t argue with you, when you’re like that…”, Arthur sighed and started caressing his hair.

“Like what?”

“You’re still in heat. And not very reasonable…”

“Am I ever?”, the dark-haired mumbled.

“Good question… You’re out of your mind most of the time. Probably mentally defected…”

“Otherwise I wouldn’t put up with you all the time…”, the omega interrupted sleepily. Yawned. It felt nice, to get his hair stoked. Comforting. He had never experienced anything similar. Well, his mother had done it when he had been feeling sick as a child. Or in his first heats, but that was no comparison to the comforting touch of an alpha.

Well, Will had spent a few heats with him in the past, but his friend had been a beta, only providing  moral support and every now and then a little relief with his hand, when things had been going very bad, his magic starting to get out of control, but it had never felt that good, not like he belonged. Like he could actually rest, while an alpha was watching over him. Protecting him.

“I’m the prince. It’s an honour to serve me, Merlin. Any other servant would probably kill for this privilege”, the alpha chuckled.

“Hmm, wouldn’t. You’re a nuisance, most of the time…”, Merlin mumbled, feeling himself drift back to sleep.

“I’m the crown prince. And a dominant alpha!”

“Half of Albion regularly tries to kill you. It’s hard to keep you alive, when you’re that oblivious…”

“What?”, the blonde stared at him. In disbelief. But his servant just mumbled something incomprehensible and was asleep within seconds.

They spend most of the following two days very similar to that. They slept and fucked and had a bath in between and sometimes Arthur forced his omega to eat and drink. He did not sleep much, but had no actual desire for it, with all the pheromones triggering what he suspected being a slight sympathy rut. And with Merlin in general he did not really need it.

He was used to longer trips and patrols with days of almost no sleep and a lot of physically exhausting work. Which was a good thing. He was trained, in top shape so to say. His stamina helped a great deal to deal with this situation, with this omega in heat. With pretty much everything. He was pretty sure he had not exercised that much in such a short time, ever in his life, not even in his ruts, but it could not be helped. He had signed up for the task.

“Fuck, I’m starving!”, Merlin complained on the evening of the third day.

“Great. Your appetite’s returning.  Bread?”, the prince nodded and held a small piece of buttered bread in front of his mouth

“Ahh-n”, the sorcerer made, opened his mouth and took it. Chewed happily.

“We’ll probably be over with this tomorrow morning...”, Arthur assumed, taking into account what he knew about his own body during ruts and his experience of the past days.

“Hope so. Even with Gaius’ salve I feel sore like never before. Can’t wait to actually get a full night’s sleep!”, the dark-haired agreed. Then paused. Swallowed. And looked at his prince. “When... When this over...”, he then began hesitantly.

“Yes?”

“When... I mean, what will happen?”, he dared to ask what he had pushed away since his heat had begun.

“Nothing. I guess...”, Arthur mumbled, feeding him some more bread. Gaius or whoever had prepared their meal had cut everything into small pieces he could just pick up without any effort. This had made feeding Merlin much easier, because he had refused large amounts of food for the last few days. Which was not good. The sorcerer was slender. He should not lose even more weight. He needed to eat, even in this kind of situation.

“Nothing?”, he repeated.

“Yes. I mean, I’m not gonna tell anyone about any of this, so... Back to normal, I guess?”

“I... I need to find out, what happened to my herbs. My suppressants. They had always worked. Must be a reason, why they don’t any more. Could be dangerous, otherwise...”, he mumbled, thinking about why all this had even started!

“If... I mean, in case they won’t. I, err, I mean I would... help again...”, the prince admitted and was all of a sudden very interested in the leg of a chair close by. Very interesting thing, this. Great craftsmanship!

“Oh, err, thanks. That’s... Nice? Nice of you...”

“I can be a nice person, Merlin... ’m not always an ass...”

“I see... So... We’ll be fine? Nothing will change?”,  Merlin wanted to know, chewing his lower lip nervously.

“Nothing has to change. Not, if you don’t, well, forget what I said. We’ll be fine. You’ll rest and then I’ll pick up on my duties and then you’ll continue being the worst manservant ever and I’ll be annoyed by you and make you train with me or something...”

“Oh no! Forget it! I won’t be your punching bag! If you want to do that that badly, ask your knights to spar with you! I’m out! Not gonna add more sore muscles!”, he said, shooting him a glare, which looked surprisingly cute.

“My knights won’t try to hide behind the shield like that. It’s way less funny,”, the prince just admitted.

“So you’re doing that on purpose?! You’re forcing me to train with you, just so you can... Arthur, you giant prat!”, the omega raged and with the subconscious help of his magic suddenly was sitting on top of him, pinning him down. Holding his wrists and pressing them into the mattress. “Ass!”, he hissed.

“And you like it!”, Arthur just replied with a smirk. Showed his beautiful perfect teeth. Teeth he could use to bite, to claim, to... Well, he had used them. So many times. He had left faint marks on his body, but not the ones, he had been craving for. He was still unmarked, even after spending his whole heat with this alpha! His brain could not cope. Could not understand. How was that even possible?

“Fuck you!”, he just huffed. And then his brain just kind of short-circuited and he leaned down and kissed the alpha. Pushed his tongue into the no longer unfamiliar mouth and found its counterpart. Closed his eyes. Kissing, while his magic was pinning his alpha down, holding him, caressing him.

Fuck, kissing Arthur was good. Great even. He would really miss this. Miss his tongue. His touch. Well, pretty much everything. But pretending nothing had ever happened was still better than burning on the stake, he guessed. And... well, Arthur seemed to have forgiven his treason. Him keeping those secrets. So it was probably for the best to just go on like before...

Two more times. They had done it two more times, before Merlin had finally fallen asleep, totally exhausted. And definitely over the worst part. Probably over all of it, since Arthur had noticed a change in his smell. Not an unpleasant one, just... There was only Merlin’s scent now. The scent of an omega. Infused with a certain amount of pheromones. But a low one. A bearable one. Not the full force of an omega in heat. Just... Just so Merlin. And while his heat pheromones made him wild and hot, this new smell was somehow... Appealing. In a less aggressive way. It was just the slightest bit sweet and smelled of pine and wood and maybe honey? And something Arthurr could just not define. Something that was just Merlin.

Not ‘Merlin’ as in ‘faint smell of Gaius’ quarters and herbs and smoke and, well, the stables’ but something that was just him. Something he had never noticed before. Was this Merlin’s unique omega smell he was always concealing? He wondered.

It was time to get up, soon. The first rays of sunlight were already shining through the window. Usually he liked sleeping long, when it did not involve torturing others with an early get up and a training session, but right now he was wide awake. And felt surprisingly refreshed. Maybe a little weary, but he had had two, no three, hard days. His father would excuse this. He hoped.

He stretched and stood up. Looked at Merlin, snuggling into the blankets, hair standing up in all directions, but that aside surprisingly clean. Probably he had used magic after their last time? Well, that would explain why Arthur also did not feel sticky. They really needed to talk about this. About the magic thing. And about him being an omega, about... Well, about them.

He used the still hot water in the tub – magic! – to wash himself. Then he dressed himself, took another look at Merlin, fetched the documents he had been working on when he had the time – which had not been much – and left the room. Thought for a moment, then decided to be safe and locked the door. If Merlin really wanted to get out, he definitely would. He could pick locks. And well... The magic!

So Arthur made his way down, towards the training ground, shoving his paperwork into the arms of some servant, telling him to bring it to the king. Any other day Merlin would have put on his armour. He always did. Arthur was used to it. His slender, skilful fingers tying the laces, adjusting the parts and pieces and... Well, he would not train in full plate and chain mail today. But that was okay. That was fine.

“Hey! You’re leaving the right wide open!”, he yelled, as he stepped towards the training knights. A little sparring would do him something good.

“Milord!”, Leon exclaimed and dropped the sword he had used to attack the wooden figure. “You are back!”

“Sire!”, Elyan shouted.

“Up and rested, princess?”, was Gwaine’s reaction, as he turned with a bright grin.

“Gwaine!”, Leon scolded him and picked up the sword he had dropped.

“So, you’re better?”, the one with the wild brunette locks rephrased his statement.

“Excuse him. He heard the rumours of you falling sick after the ceremony!”, Sir Leon sighed and shook his head.

“We were worried, Sire”, Percival, a head taller than the rest, but rather preferring to stay in the background, smiled at his prince.

“Well, I was not feeling well on the day. Has the whole castle heard of my illness?”, Arthur wanted to confirm.

“Rumours were going wild, Sire. A Chambermaid told me, you looked as pale as death”, Gwaine explained.

“A chambermaid, Gwaine?”, Arthur repeated and raised an eyebrow.

“You won’t believe what his stable boy told him!”, Elyan shook his head. Amused. Well, Gwaine was well known, so to say. He got around. Heard all kinds of things going on in the castle, but with his frivolous attitude was hardly one to invite to official gatherings. Which did not stop him, of course. So, yes, Gwaine would most likely know what every chambermaid and stable boy thought about him…

“No, tell me. I always like to find out, what I did while resting in my chambers. So?”

“Err… Well, he said that he was sure, you rode out in the middle of the night to meet with an omega you keep hidden  somewhere…”, Gwaine explained.

“And I assume, you educated him, that I would not do such a thing?”

“Well… Your horse never left the grounds, so that was bullshit, of course…”

“I have not left my room, I can guarantee you.”

“Otherwise Gaius would not have visited you twice a day…”

“I see, Gwaine, you’re well informed”, the prince nodded. News travelled fast in the castle, and especially when this particular knight was involved somehow.

“Always!”

“So, Sire, did you really catch a cold?”, Leon let his curiosity get the better of him. Usually he was the best behaved and strictest of the knights, but he was a man nonetheless. And he had been worried about his prince and friend, who had been just fine on the day of the ceremony, had even trained with them, and then had just locked himself away for two days.

“Not a cold, I think. But I have not been well, to be honest. I barely left the bed. Got almost nothing done…”, Arthur explained. Not quite lying, but even his most trusted knights could not know about what had happened. He would not expose Merlin like this!

“Gaius did not want to say a thing. Percy here thought, it must be very serious!”, Elyan said.

“I did not! I was just a little worried. We all were!”, the giant justified.

“I am fine. Just need to get back into shape a little, so? Anyone willing to take me on?”, Arthur grinned and fetched a chain mail to pull over his chest. Then he grabbed one of the training swords.

“I’ll get you back in shape in no time, Sire!”, Leon volunteered

Chapter Text

Hours later the prince was summoned to the throne room. Still sweaty from training, he arrived. Uther expected him already, looking him up and down, judging.

“Father, you called for me?”

“I did. As I can see, you are back to training, after you neglected your duties for two whole days…”, the king told him.

“I am. Forgive me father, but I have really not felt good…”

“Was it your rut or just a regular sickness affecting the prince of Camelot?”

“No, Sire. Just a common sickness. My rut would have affected the inhabitants of the castle visibly…”, Arthur explained. Because, well, the whole castle would have known. And while most alphas would have been repulsed, the omegas in court definitely would have reacted strongly. Even Morgana would have. She had told him once, as his rut was approaching and he was not yet ready to retire, that he smelled like a whole pigsty.

“Is that so? Well… You can not allow yourself to laze around. You are the prince. You cannot show any weakness! You will make up for the time you have taken off your duties. This means, no more hunting trips for the next two weeks!”, Uther announced. And his son just nodded.

“Also, there will be an banquet to the honour of our visitors the day after tomorrow. I expect you to attend. And to engage properly. You have been too inattentive on your own ceremony!”, the king scolded. And Arthur nodded automatically. His wish, was his command. He would obey, like he always had.

“Yes, father!”

“Good. I received you paperwork. At least you got some things done….” That was Uther’s way of saying ‘well done’. Well, at least it was close enough. And probably the most supportive statement the king was capable of.

“Yes, father.”

“Take those papers with you. I expect them back tomorrow before breakfast. Pay close attention to the livestock added to the taxes, I think those peasants are trying to cheat us again!”, Uther instructed him and handed him a pile of papers. Well, so this was his evening entertainment.

On the way to his room, he had the luck to almost run into George, his father’s manservant and ordered him to send dinner to his room.

“Yes, Sire, immediately!”, the servant replied. “May I ask...?”

“Yes George?”

“Where is your manservant? I have not encountered  him in days… Did you dismiss him, Sire?”

“Oh?” So there were rumours going on about that, as well. That was bad. Very bad. “Well, you see, I have been indisposed the last two days and Merlin had taken care of things for me. So he was occupied. I can assure you, I did not dismiss him. He is allowed to rest today. Tomorrow he will be back in service”, Arthur then explained. It was better, the whole castle assumed he had been sick – and weak, fuck he hated being considered weak – than the actual truth, or anything close to the truth.

“I see, Milord. I will take care of your dinner right away!”, George said, bowed and turned.

With a sigh he also turned and went his way. Unlocked his door and entered. Then closed the door, took a look at the bed, then decided to lock the door again. Just to be sure.

And then he placed the pile of papers onto his desk. He would take care of those as soon as he had checked on the contents of his sheets. Which he then did. Sat onto his mattress and stoked over the dark fuzz of hair.

“Merlin, are you still alive?”, he asked then. But he could feel him breathing. That was a good sign.

“Hmn?”, a sleepy voice replied.

“Good. Someone will bring dinner soon. Are you alight?”

“Hmn? Fine…”, Merlin mumbled and leaned in to his touch. Arthur did not even try to hide his smile.

Since Merlin made no further effort to actually stand up or move more than was strictly necessary, he got up again and sat on his chair. Better let the omega rest.

He did not know much about heats, could only compare them to his own ruts or use Morgana’s mood swings as indicator, but he guessed that those were very exhausting to the body. And considering, the sorcerer was not as well trained, as him, it was no wonder, he was tired after three days of… Of this!

After a while of paperwork, comparing and recalculating numbers and sighing more than once over what seemed like tax fraud but in the end was just a mistake in the papers, before someone knocked on the door, tried to open it and hesitated  as they realised the door was locked.

“Milord? Your dinner is ready!”, a female voice then called through the door.

“Ah, yes. Just leave it out there. I will take it later!”, the prince replied.

“Yes, Milord!”, the woman said, then he heard some rumbling and then footsteps moving away. The servant had left.

He counted to ten, slowly, then went to the door, unlocked it, took in the food and relocked, before placing the tray on the table.

“Merlin, food!”, he called out to his manservant, who was still snuggled up under his blanket. Which he definitely did not find cute. Not at all.

“Hmm?”, the dark-haired mess made and a sleepy sorcerer’s head emerged from its covers. Looked around. “What?”, he yawned.

“Food. Eat” Arthur told him and pointed to the table.

“Hm? Oh. Okay? What time’s it?”, Merlin wanted to know, slowly sitting up. And he definitely had no right to be this endearing while trying to locate himself in space and time.

“Evening. Dinner time. You slept the whole day”, he explained.

“Oh... Oh!”, the sorcerer mumbled and then, as his brain caught up with Arthur’s words, realised where he was and what he had been doing. Which was pretty much nothing. Instead of his job! Oh, fuck! “I’ll be right there! Just give me a moment, I’ll serve you!”, he exclaimed, stumbling out of the bed, then realising, he was entirely naked, covered in love bites, so wrapping a blanket around himself to cover his modesty, blushing dark red. And then he just stood there. In the room. Panicked... Staring at Arthur like a deer in the headlights – which, of course, would not be invented for several hundred years.

“Hey, I didn’t wake you to serve me. You should eat, idiot!”, the prince told him, pretending that he did not notice that a naked omega was standing right in front of him. One who’s smell he knew, he knew how he tasted... Oh, fuck, wrong direction of thoughts! Hastily he thought of something very, very unsexy –  which happened to be Morgana scolding him – and shook his head.

“What? Oh. I... See...”, Merlin mumbled, still only wrapped in his blanket. A blanket that might smell like him for several more days. Maybe Merlin would forget that he should change the sheets, after all that happened, even though his magic had cleaned them of pretty much every kind of body fluid for several times? Maybe he could keep the fabric and the smell for a while?

“You should get dressed....”, the prince reminded his manservant, who just nodded. Then thought.

“Oh, err.... I don’t know where my clothes are...”, he then admitted.

“You... Took them off...”, Arthur said. Tried to recall, when he had last seen Merlin’s clothes. Which had been days. Well, noon of the day of the ceremony, he supposed. And then they had been gone.

“Yes, I... I have no idea where I sent them...”, the sorcerer admitted, bright red.

“So you don’t have anything to wear here?”

“I’m sorry, okay? I had other things on my mind!”

“Bet you had. Wait, I’ll get you some...”, Arthur huffed, more amused, than angry and made a beeline for the wardrobe. There he chose some old clothes and threw them at his servant, who was still holding the blanket, which lead to the things just dropping off of him, onto the floor.

“You don’t have to...”, the servant muttered, staring at the pile of clothes at his feet.

“As much as I’d appreciate you walking around here completely naked, I don’t think this is appropriate. Get dressed and eat. I’m starving”, the prince just commanded.

“Yes!”, Merlin nodded. He had rarely seen him complying that fast, or even complying without any kind of grumpy or sassy reply. That was new.

The sorcerer fumbled with blanket and clothes for a while, not wanting to show his bare body, before resigning and rolling his eyes. Arthur knew anyway, so it probably would not make a difference. So he just called upon his magic and mumbled a few words that came to his mind and within seconds he was completely dressed in Arthur’s clothes. That were only a little bit too big for him. And smelled like his alpha. Fuck.

“You know way too many tricks... Do you do that every morning?”, the prince asked, crossing his arms in front of his chest, looking him up and down sceptically.

“No. Gaius would kill me, if I did. I shouldn’t use it without a good reason”, the dark-haired admitted.

“So... You only use it for a good reason?”

“Well... Mostly. I mean, I wouldn’t use it to harm you or so! Just... Sometimes. For convenience...”

“I see... Sit!”, the prince commanded and sat down himself. They started eating from his plate in an awkward silence, before he spoke again. “When did you decide to learn it?”, he wanted to know.

“Hm? Never learned it. I was born with it, like most people. Have always had it. It’s a part of me, just like... Well, the other thing...”, Merlin explained a little nervously.

“You didn’t decide to use it?”

“Mostly I decide to use it or not use it. But it’s still there, even when I hide it. Sometimes it just wants to break free and do things on its own...”

“Like?”

“Like protecting. Mostly you. But it doesn’t want me killed either, so it breaks free to protect me as well. From attacks or alphas or things li-“

“Alphas? Have you been... I mean has there ever...?”, Arthur interrupted him, not knowing exactly what to say.

“Like I said. It protects me. But since it’s a secret that didn’t exactly go well with having to protect me during the heats, well, that’s why I was taking the suppressants... Almost got figured out once, back in Ealdor, because some stupid alpha wouldn’t take a ‘no’ for an answer...”, Merlin explained, not sure if he should regret his actions or actually be proud. Even less, when he saw Arthur’s face and had no idea, what he was seeing there.

“They didn’t do anything to you, did they?”, the prince wanted to know, carefully choosing his words.

“No. As I said, I can look after myself. Just not by using a sword”, the sorcerer mumbled, shrugged. And looked down at the plate. Feigning interest in a piece of meat.

“I, I see... I’m glad....”

They remained silent for a few minutes. Then Arthur spoke up again.

“Have you... Have you ever used it to kill?”, he wanted to know.

“I have.”

“Whom?”

“Bad people. Mostly ones trying to kill you. And some beasts. Does the griffin count?”, Merlin just mumbled. He did not want to lie.

“Oh...”, the prince just made. Then went silent again. “So... It was you… All the time?”, he then asked.

“I... It’s my destiny to protect you, you see? And, well... I’d lose my job, if you die...”, the sorcerer tried to just shrug it off.

“Considering the time you spend in the stocks instead of working, I don’t think you value your job that much?”, the blonde huffed.

“I value you, Arthur”, Merlin sighed, then looked up, at him. “I don’t want you to die…”

“I see. But you know, that’s what an idiot would say?”

“According to a certain prat, I AM an idiot…”

“Indeed. Why did you even come to Camelot? I mean, you’re that and also, this, you know that this is far from ideal. Or even smart?”

“You use to tell me, I am stupid…”

“Answer my question, Merlin. And eat some more!”

“Yes, yes. I came here, because people back home knew I was an omega. They would try to… Well, to create situations in which they could take advantage of me. Or talk my mother into just giving me to Cenred. As a gift or something… Of course she said no, but with the magic and stuff, she decided, that it was too dangerous for me to stay. And well… She knew Gaius…”, the dark-haired sighed, shook his head and chewed on a piece of cooked carrot.

“So you thought, Camelot would be safe? The castle would be safe? You know that there are more alphas here alone, than in the rest of the country! And magic is a crime pushed by death. What were you thinking?”, the prince just stared at him, shaking his head in disbelief.

“Was hiding my nature, wasn’t I? Everyone things, I’m just some regular beta. Not interesting at all. Not even very nice smelling. And the other thing also worked…”, Merlin mumbled.

“I see… So, we’ll just keep it that way? No more talking about it? You’re gonna stay a perfectly normal beta in the court?”

“If… If you let it slide…”

“I already told you, I wouldn’t kill you! Where would I find another manservant that fast? My father wants me to attend a banquet in a few days, you think, I can handle that without anyone pouring me wine?”, Arthur just said lightly.

“I… Suppose, that’s a good reason…”

“It is. So? What are we gonna do now?”

“I’ll need to find out, why my herbs did not work. I might have a few months, to do so, but I should start… Don’t want that to happen again. And well… For now, I might assist you however you like? You brought paperwork. Want me to stand next to you, shaking my head over pointless bureaucracy?”, Merlin suggested. He would need to talk to Gaius. They would need to make some tests. But it would work out. Sooner or later. His next heat would probably be in about nine or ten months, he needed to keep track again, for now, at least.

“Finish eating. Then I will do my work. And after you dressed me for bed, you will be dismissed. If you need time off to figure this out, just tell me. We’ll work something out. But I  need you at the banquet”, the prince said, shoving the now almost empty plate over to him, while grabbing the documents. He could see Merlin’s point, but would not admit it. The tax accounts needed to be accurate. His father was very strict about that.

Hours later, Merlin left the prince’s chambers for the first time in four whole days. And took a deep breath. For the first time he could smell something other than Arthur’s pheromones. Which had not been a bad thing, Arthur’s scent had always been very nice, but… Well, he had the urge to reset his brain to some state where it would not just supply an ‘Alpha! Alpha! Alpha!’ with an almost embarrassing physical reaction.

So he sighed and then made his way towards Gaius’ quarters, enjoying all the scents and smells of the castle, which were mostly okay. Since it was early spring, there were also some flowers blooming, but the smell of the stables almost erased the fragile scent.

He knocked on Gaius’ door and heard some rumbling, then it was opened. And a tired, wrinkly face looked at him. Took a moment to recognize him, then his expression changed to shock and the old man grabbed his sleeve and pulled him in. Closed the door and locked it.

“You! Are you alright?”, Gaius asked, as he lit a lamp. Obviously he had worked on something on his small desk that had a candle on it, only lightning a small area.

“Yes, I’m fine. Sorry, for worrying you”, the sorcerer mumbled and sat down, as the old man placed  the lamp. Now they could talk.

“You can not just vanish, boy! How did that even happen? How did Arthur, I mean, he obviously found out, did he not?”, the physician whisper-shouted trying to control anger and worry.

“I, I have no idea how this could have happened! I have taken the medicine every day! Everything was fine until… Well, until it suddenly wasn’t!”, the dark-haired tried to explain.

“You can call yourself very lucky, that the prince is covering for you!”

“I know! Didn’t think, he ever would…”

“Tell me everything”, the old man demanded.

And Merlin started telling. Explaining the things that did not directly involve the heat support he had gotten from Arthur, because, well he would not talk about that part. He told him how he had felt a little tired and feverish right before it had started, how he had taken more suppressants that had had absolutely no effect, how he had gone into heat and… Well, that Arthur had found out. About what he still remembered from his heat, thanked Gaius for the salve that had helped him dealing with the sore skin. And for the food. He thought, he remembered Arthur telling him, Gaius had made sure, they got something to eat.

“So… The prince knows… Everything?”, the old man concluded, suddenly looking very old and very tired.

“I… Suppose…”

“And… He will not… He will keep it a secret?”

“He said so. I mean… I believe him. He did not seem… Well, he was not afraid of it. Called it handy, even…”, the sorcerer said, not able to hide a smile, at the memory. His magic tingled in the tips of his fingers, as he recalled Arthur resting in the hot tub.

“That… Is a good thing, I think, at least…”, Gaius mumbled.

“Yes...”

“You should rest now, Merlin. Your body needs it. You will be back on duty, starting tomorrow morning, I assume?”

“Yes. Yes, you’re right…”, the young man nodded. He did not actually feel tired, since he had slept most of the night and the whole day, but he would try to get some more rest. His muscles indeed were sore. And he was pretty sure, he had more than some bruises on his body, that looked suspiciously like love bites – which he would not acknowledge as such – but aside form that, he was fine. Actually had never been that good after his heats at all. Usually he had felt tired any empty and somehow a little heartbroken, but this time… He was fine.

He was also fine the next day. Luckily was even awake before sunrise – had not slept too well –  so he was all dressed and on time when he sneaked into his prince’s chambers. As he closed the door, he took a breath. Smelled the alpha pheromones. And was reminded of the days they had spent together. Of Arthur’s body entwined with his. And he felt an itch inside of him. Possibly his magic, possibly his omega nature reacting to this. But he did not want to elaborate.

He had slept okayish, probably because he had slept so much before, but when he spotted the large wooden four poster bed and the soft linen sheets, he felt the urge to crawl right onto it. To rest there, beside the warm, sleepy alpha.

But he resisted. Of course he did! He could not just do that! So he shook his head to clear his thoughts, then opened the royal wardrobe and looked for the prince’s daily clothes. Then he picked up the papers, Arthur had worked on, delivered them to the throne room and went down, into the kitchen, greeted cooks and kitchen maids, like the old friends they were and picked up Arthur’s breakfast. Snatching an apple for his way, he went back to the prince’s room, placing it on his table, still chewing.

“Hey, princess, time to rise and shine!”, he called out and pulled the curtains open.

“Merliiiiiin!”, was the grumpy answer, while the prince pulled the blanket over his head.

“Time to get up! I brought breakfast!”

“Shaddup! Get back to bed and be quiet, for fuck’s sake!”, the pile of blankets muttered sleepily.

“Oh, I, er…”, Merlin stammered, totally put off his stride. He had expected a lot. Being ignored. Swearing, probably throwing things at him, but he had not expected that. An invitation. Sleepy, but clear!

“Get here ‘n let me sleep…”, Arthur demanded, and then with the precision of a well trained deadly fighter an arm shot free from the blankets, grabbed his wrist and pulled him in. Onto the sheets and towards the prince. Who… Just wrapped himself around him. And so… So, Merlin was stuck. Not that it was uncomfortable, no, it was in fact quite cosy, but he was sure, he should not feel like that.

The hair on his neck stood up and a shiver went through his body, as he felt a familiar nose nestling his hair and down his neck, sniffing his scent glands.

“Can smell you now…”, the sleepy prince explained, hugging him tighter, rubbing his nose against the sensitive spot.

“Arthur…”, Merlin tried to scold him, but what left his mouth sounded rather like a pathetic mixture of a whine and a moan and way too desperate, to actually reprimand the alpha.

“Now I can sleep…”, said alpha mumbled and obviously fell asleep again.

Merlin needed about ten minutes to pull himself together. To convince himself, that he should not just lie here, enjoy this. That he should get up. That the prince needed to get up. He had duties to fulfil! They both had!

“Arthur, get up already!”, he told the blonde, more convincing now and tried to free himself from his embrace.

“Don’t wanna…”

“Arthur!”

The prince’s eyes shot open. For a second he stared at Merlin, alerted and confused, then he let go of him and sat up in one swift movement, now fully awake. “Sorry! Oh, fuck, sorry!”, he stuttered as he realised the situation they had been in. He was only wearing his nightshirt, while Merlin was lying – now sitting – there, fully dressed. “Are you, did I?”

“I’m fine. Just get up already, clotpole!”, the omega teased him, because teasing was the best way not to address this situation. Also: nothing had happened, really. Arthur had just been half asleep, that was it. No harm done! Merlin also did not feel harmed at all. Quite the opposite! He had enjoyed the little snuggling session, but of course he would not admit that out loud! Never. Because that would mean admitting a lot more.

“You can’t talk to your prince like that!”, Arthur told him, but sighed in relief.

“Obviously I can. Now get up. Don’t you want to train at sunrise?”, the sorcerer reminded him and pointed out of the window. Where the sun was rising.

“Yes. Why didn’t you wake me earlier?”

“I tried!”, he told him and rolled his eyes. “Now get dressed or you’ll have to skip breakfast!”, he threatened his prince.

“Can’t you just magic me dressed or something?”, Arthur suggested, now sitting on the bed. Dead serious

“You?! Are you serious?!”, Merlin exclaimed. Shot him a look. “You can’t just ASK me to do that! You’re the prince!”

“I can. So? Can you do it or will you dress me yourself?”, the blonde wanted to know.

“...Prat”, the sorcerer mumbled but complied. Spoke a few words and then all of a sudden Arthur’s nightshirt lay accurately folded on his bed and he was dressed in the casual clothing Merlin had prepared before.

“What did you say?”

“Nothing. Here’s your breakfast, Sire”, Merlin pointed at the meal on the plate.

Arthur ate, then he shoved his leftovers to his servant and stood up.

“Dig in. You’ll come with me”, he ordered.

“To put on your armour?”

“To train. I’m still angry at you for leaving me in the dark for so long!”

“You can’t be serious!”

“Eat!” Well, this Arthur had told him often enough in the past days, so he did not complain and started eating what was left. Which was quite a lot. Usually Arthur only left him a few bites, but he either was not hungry today or he was being nice. He had never been a man of words, but rather of actions. 

After Merlin had put on his plate in the armoury, they both stepped out, on the training ground, where Leon was talking to – probably rather yelling at – Percival and Gwaine, while Elyan was polishing a sword. Usually a squire’s job, but the four young men stood at the side, watching their knights.

“What have they done now?”, Arthur interrupted the scolding. Merlin walked behind him, holding his sword and helmet, giving Gwaine a pitiful look. But not too pitiful, since he could narrow down his potential crimes, out of experience.

“Sire, there you are! Great to see you! Well, those two were late and barely made it into their armour this morning!”, Leon explained, happy to see the prince.

“So, according to your looks, I’d say, you’ve been drinking all night?”, the blonde assumed, looking the big knight and the curly one up and down.

“Well, maybe we were at the tavern for a little while...”, Gwaine admitted scratching his head. He looked like a puppy caught in the act. Which might have looked endearing to some people, well, to a certain amount of people here in Camelot, as far as they all knew. But who was judging? Gwaine was doing just fine as a knight, keeping his honour just above the bare minimum. And he was a good fighter. And well, if you ever wanted to know what the grape vine was whispering about, probably he knew or would find out soon enough. He had his connections. Lovely connections.

“I am very sorry, Sire. This inconvenience will not affect our training. We will do our best!”, Percival apologised bowing his head to his lord. He was most likely dragged into drinking by Gwaine, but could have said ‘no’ at any point, so he was not off the hook, whatever the hook was. The giant was the strongest of the knights, could probably still withstand a blow dead-drunk. Luckily, even though he looked a little pale, he seemed quite sober and ready for the fight

“Okay, I see. So the two of you have overdone it! Great. That will be five rounds around the training grounds. After that, you can start sparring. We’ll be busy for three more hours, before I will have to leave you. Now get going!”, the prince announced and both knights whimpered, but complied.

Gwaine looked at Merlin, smiled and waved at him, seeming happy, to see him again, then he started running, together with his big friend.

In the following two hours the young warlock did not have it easy. He could fight! He could protect himself and everyone else, including a very pratty royal that was currently trying to beat the shit out of him, as it seemed. Merlin was not good with swords and probably never would be. Because he did not need to be! Arthur should know, by now. But well, he supposed, this was his punishment. So he accepted it. Withstood the urge to make his prince trip over and fall and just tried to avoid the strikes.

And then finally, Arthur let him off the hook and concentrated on a one on one match with Leon, while Percival and Elyan imitated their actions.

“So, you’re still alive, then?”, Gwaine asked, taking off his helmet. He shook his long, curly hair free. And well, looked good, as he did it. Merlin could not deny that. This Casanova knew exactly what he had. He was a handsome alpha who did not only seduce most of the betas, but also had a mentionable body count of alphas who had given in to him. Merlin knew. Everyone knew. It was a poorly kept secret. If Uther ever would have shown interest in the knights backgrounds, he would have found out and probably dismissed him form his service immediately. But he would not. Because Arthur was in charge of the knights. And Arthur knew his knights. All of them. And had selected a small circle of the strongest to surround himself with.

This group usually consisted of first, Leon, Arthur’s oldest friend, who usual lead the knights, when the prince was not available. He had been Uther’s knights and guard for a while but proved loyalty to Arthur on several occasions and so was hand selected by him. He was actually the only real nobleman in their group, though only nobles were allowed to serve as knights. Technically.

Second there was Percival, the big, strong and very gentle guy who was loyal to the prince, since he had realised his strength and potential, long ago. He had somehow been dragged into becoming a knight and since no one had ever questioned his status, had been knighted by Arthur though, he most likely was a commoner. He was a good guy, always wanted to protect and defend and was usually a very good guy, if not talked into things by his friends. Which usually included Gwaine.

Who was the third loyal knight of Arthur’s. A playboy who knew about his talents. They had picked him up in a tavern, where he had saved Merlin’s and Arthur’s lives. A commoner with questionable manners, but he knew enough of the world, to be a noble from far, far away, if someone would ever bother to ask. Though not always polite, he respected his prince and would lend him his sword and shield whenever needed.

Then there was Lancelot, actually just a peasant, but a very talented one. Well, the king knew, this one was not of noble blood and had not really approved. Merlin had helped him to become a knight – faking things just a little –  but they had probably overdone it and after things had gone... Well, a little more intense than they should have been, he had left Camelot of his own accord, fearing the prince’s revenge and Uther’s punishment for faking his status and, well, he had shown interest in Gwen at a time the alpha prince had been interested in her as well and things had gone very wrong from there, since the omega definitely did not chose Arthur as her mate. She never said it out loud, but enough people were aware that Lancelot was the one. Would always be. Even though he had never claimed her, had not wanted to take her from his prince. Long story. But well, that was why Lancelot was indisposed right now, but still not officially dismissed from service.

Then there was Elyan, Gwen’s brother, who had done his fair share of not quite legal things, getting into trouble often enough, but had proven himself to be loyal to Arthur on more than one occasion. They had to squint a little to get him knighted, which had only been possible thanks to Uther’s ignorance and inability to recognise him as the blacksmith’s son. And, well, the fact that Gwen, as Morgana’s servant – and having been courted by the prince once, if only briefly –  could be considered as almost noble. At least Morgana had been quite sure of that fact and had offered to cover for them in case Uther would ever realise. But actually no further questions were asked.

The last one of the most trusted knights had been Mordred. Not a nobleman either, but who was even counting? They had picked him up at one of Morgan’s trips to the druids’ camps and brought him along, after he had helped them. Arthur had instantly taken a liking on him. But not in service for long, he had made two grave mistakes at once, which had lead to his current banishment from Camelot. Both had been at the same occasion, in front of king Uther. He had by accident revealed his affiliation towards the druids and his interest in Lady Morgana, the king’s ward. He had saved her from a falling chandelier using what could have been interpreted as magic and afterwards dared to kiss her hand in a very inappropriate way – at least Uther was certain of this. So he had to leave the country by sunset or would have been executed. This much Arthur had been able to do for him, convince the king, he had just used a talisman and not done magic himself. Due to all the trouble and confusion, Mordred had never been formally stripped off his honour and title, so he was technically still a knight of Camelot.

And then there was Merlin. Stuck somewhere in between all those knights and loyal fighters, also, more secretly, trying to protect his prince. Unconditionally loyal to him. And well, the knights had always accepted him, tough he was not a fighter. Had never wondered about the clumsy manservant Arthur always brought, who spent a lot of time talking back to his Highness, daring him and directly calling out bullshit, when Arthur was wrong.

The knights liked him. Valued him. Most thought of him as some kind of cute mascot, but after a while they had understood, how important the young man was to the party. Lancelot had found out his secret and continued to keep it. And, well, Gwaine probably knew, something was up with him, but never even mentioned a thing. Gwaine was just Gwaine, always cheeky, daring and flirty, with everyone. Which included the sorcerer.

“What? Oh, yes. Alive and fine. Why?”, Merlin finally answered the knight’s question, while they watched the others.

“Rumour has it, Arthur’s been sick. And you’ve been taking care of him the whole time...”

“I thought, the prince’s health was a secret to be well kept?”

“Usually yes. But it’s a very plausible story. You should hear the others....”

“Tell me. I might have some time, before he tries to kill me again...”

“If you say so... Well, everything was going around, from him suddenly going into his rut, to him having a secret mistress hidden somewhere, to a top secret mission, where he had to leave the castle, up to him lying in bed dying from a mysterious illness. I’d personally go for the ‘just-a-cold-theory’, or did you see someone hidden under his bed?”

“You really think, I would have let him keep some woman in there for two days, without fleeing the scene? There are things, you just don’t want to witness as a servant!”, Merlin hissed. Shook his head in disgust. Which he did not even have to fake. The idea really rose disgust in him.

“Totally... So, the princess was sick?”, the knight wanted to confirm.

“Didn’t leave his bed for days! And don’t let me get started, what a nuisance he can be, when he doesn’t get his will...”, the sorcerer told him. While Merlin was absolutely shitty at lying into someone’s face, he was very good at bending the truth and letting people make false assumptions. Unless it was about his magic, he was completely unable to lie to someone directly. He had tried that! Several times! But especially Arthur had always seen right through him. And Gwaine was not an idiot. Absolutely not!

“I see, I see. Poor bedridden prince... Well, you could also interpret that in a more interesting way....”, Gwaine smirked and Merlin could feel his ears redden, together with his whole face.

“Are you assuming...?”, he started, but then a familiar scent filled the air around him and Arthur stepped next to him. Looking at Merlin, then at his knight.

“Who is assuming what, Gwaine?”, he then asked, casually playing with his sword.

“Oh, err, nothing, Sire. Just some gossip. You know, when you were sick, people thought you were hiding a mistress under your bed. But that’s impossible, right?”, the knight laughed nervously. “I mean, err, no one was missing and all and we probably all would have smelled, if something was going on, right?”

“Right... You are right, Gwaine. So? Why do you pick on my manservant, then? Did you embarrass him?”

“Arthur, it’s okay! Stop that. He was just making a joke. No need to overreact”, the sorcerer told his prince, placing a hand on his shoulder to calm him, acting on instinct, before he even realised he was doing so.

“Overreact?”, Arthur asked and turned to him. Looked him straight in the eyes.

“Yes. C’mon. He didn’t really assume, you keep a mistress under your bed. She wouldn’t survive long anyway, given how dusty it is down there!”, Merlin smirked, still casually touching him. And he felt a slight tingle going through his body. As if his magic would recognise the prince and react to him. But this was not the time or place to think about this.

Arthur glared at him for one more second. Then he took a deep breath and visibly relaxed. Took in the scent he was only just now able to sense. And it made him feel secure. There was no danger, right? Just Gwaine being Gwaine. No alpha getting close to his omega, to... No, no! No more going down that road! Those were stupid thoughts, because no one knew, Merlin was an omega and no one knew he was his omega. Because he had not bonded with him. Had not marked him, his brain unhelpfully supplied. Stupid idea! Really absolutely stupid idea!

“Dusty? Yes? So who do you think, is in charge of keeping my room clean? When it’s really that dusty under my bed, you’d better clean up down there, while I’m assisting the king this afternoon? Don’t you agree, Mer~lin?”, he smirked back, showing his teeth. Looked like predator who got his prey where he wanted it. And tried to distract himself from actually taking this prey and bringing it to where he wanted it, which in this exact moment was his bed or any quiet corner. Fuck, he needed to work on that!

“You can’t be serious!”, Merlin complained and crossed the arms in front of his chest.

“I am the prince. Of course I am serious!”, Arthur demanded.

“Don’t be too hard on the boy, he spent the last days beside your bed, so I could see, why he wouldn’t want to crawl under it...”, Leon explained his thoughts.

“Nah, it’s fine, Leon. I’ll do it. Part of the job description to do, what the prat wants!”

“Excuse me?”, Arthur huffed.

“To do, what the prince wants, Sire”, Merlin then repeated and bowed with as much sarcasm as one could put into a gesture of submission.

Later that afternoon, Arthur was with his father and Merlin actually had to do, what he was ordered. And since the prince had in a quiet moment added, that he wanted it done manually, he was swearing quite colourfully, as he crawled under the royal bed, to clean away the dust he had mentioned before. And well, there had been dust. A lot of dust. And some long forgotten pieces of clothing and... He paused. Stretched out his hand and reached for the glass hidden in the shadows. He recognised it. Those were he suppressants. The ones he used to take.  Well, not right now, because they had been missing after the beginning of his heat. And because Gaius had told him that he should only start taking them again about two weeks before his next heat. So he had not had the urge to search for them. But now that he had them back – they must have rolled there sometime during their heat infused encounter – he could show them to Gaius. Maybe something was wrong with them? Maybe they were contaminated with something? Something made them lose their effect?  That was a possibility, at least.

After he was done, cleaning the room, he brought the pills to the physician who promised to analyse them, then made his way back upstairs, to wait for Arthur’s return. But he did not come too far, since he almost ran into Gwen, who he immediately apologised to.

“No, it’s fine. I was looking for you, anyway!”, the dark tanned woman smiled warmly.

“Oh? Have I done something wrong?”

“No, not at all, it’s just... You haven’t visited in almost a week. My Lady is very bored. I shall fetch you, when the prince is not keeping an eye on you”, she then explained.

“I see. Well, I have an hour before he returns. Do you think, that’s enough?”

She nodded and he followed her to Morgana’s chambers, where she knocked and then let both of them inside.

“Merlin! How are you?”, Morgana smiled brightly and hugged him. “It’s been a while. Are you ignoring me?”

“What, no! I’d never!”, he defended himself.

“Good. You see, I’ve been practising this fire spell you taught me the other day, but I can’t get it right somehow...”, she then complained and tried to cast said spell to light a candle, but the flame just flickered up for a bit and then died again.

“Ah, I see. Can you do it again? Let me see it”, Merlin asked her, observing her actions closely, as she did, what he said. And then again. And again. Until he had found the error in her casting, which was a slight mispronunciation combined with her insecurity.

About half an hour later, she had mastered it and lit four candles, a lamp and the fireplace. She smiled happily and hugged him again.

“Thank you, Merlin! You’re great! Don’t ever disappear again, without a word!”

“I have not disappeared, I was indisposed!”

“Oh, was it…?”, Gwen asked, interrupting herself and looking to the floor. She had been sewing some gowns, while they had practised.

“Was it?”, he blinked. No idea, what she meant.

“Was it your, you know… Your heat…”, Morgana whispered conspicuously.

“Morgana! You can’t ask him out loud!”, Gwen scolded her.

“What? I’m taking suppressants! What makes you think, I was in heat?”, Merlin asked, now blushing. The women knew that he was an omega, like they knew he had magic. Both was disclosed on the same occasions, mostly by accident.

Morgana had found out, when they were riding out together to visit a certain druid boy in the woods. She had been closer to her heat than she had calculated, so he had urged her to ride back to the castle, before it was too late and since he could not explain how he was able to know, he had admitted being an omega himself and used his spell on her, to get them back unnoticed. After that, they had changed her suppressant and Morgana swore to never in her life forget to take them.

And well, after that the witch had invited him to form the ‘Camelot omega club’ or something, she had called it, together with Gwen. She had told her maidservant, after Merlin had sneaked her into her chambers that time and called for her.

“You’re right. It’s impossible, no one in the castle would have noticed. I mean, the last time Gwen had to barricade the front door, because there were alphas around all the time, asking to help me. Uther had been furious…”, the noble woman giggled. “Even though, you masked the worst of my pheromones with your spell!”

“Yes, that had been…”

“Wouldn’t want to repeat that… So, you’ve taken care of our favourite alpha prat?”, she asked.

“Someone has to. And he’s not as bad…”, Merlin weakly defended his prince, because, well, Morgana was not wrong at all.

“Will you finally admit, you like him, or do I have to rub it in your face even more?”, the witch grinned.

“Morgana! He’s the prince! And a prat! I am his servant, not his, his… Whatever!”, the sorcerer tried to explain, blushing. They had had similar conversations at least once a week. Conversations where Morganga was convinced, he was actually in love with Arthur and not just trying to protect his royal ass – which was a very good looking ass, by the way – but that was absolute bullshit, as he had told her again and again. Most of the time his prince was a walking, talking nuisance, he had to keep up with. So, he was just fulfilling his destiny, whatever that exactly was.

He was just protecting him and keeping an eye on him and he had absolutely no idea, how both women could ever come to the conclusion, that he might actually like that prat! Well, he did like him. But not in that way! Arthur had his moments, so to speak. Times, when he was not just good looking, but behaved noble, like a real, righteous  king. When he was actually helping and protecting and being nice and just and… Well, that was his point.

“So you would know, if he had a mistress or something?”, Morgana teased the servant.

“What?”

“There were rumours going around, that Arthur was just faking a cold to go and visit his secret mistress. After he had shown absolutely no interest in the negotiations at the ceremony, things started going around a little…”

“I see… I mean, what?”, Merlin mumbled. Well, he had already heard about that rumour from Gwaine, but had not known the root, so he looked at her.

“At his ceremony. He just went through with things really fast and on the banquet, he didn’t even listen to most proposals, so the honourable guests have just brought their offer directly to the king. And then he had excused himself very early. People, including myself, have seen him talking to Gaius, that’s why I believe he was actually not feeling well…”, Gwen explained. She usually did not share gossip openly, but she tended to be well informed all the time.

“He left early?”, the sorcerer asked. Well, he had not really noticed, had been a little occupied with his state, so he had never questioned the time of Arthur’s arrival.

“Yes? Were you not with him?”

“I was in his chambers. Had to clean up after him and didn’t keep track of time”, he explained. Which was not a lie. He had cleaned up. And he had not kept track of time.

“I see. So no mistresses hidden anywhere?”, Morgana teased.

“Of course not! I would have noticed!”

“I guess so. And you would’ve been jealous!”, she added.

“Never!”

“You’ve been when he was totally mad over that Sophia bitch!”, Morgana accused.

“Because I knew something was wrong! I didn’t trust her from the start!”

“Oh, and what about Elena?”

“Same. She was possessed!”

Mithion?”

“Didn’t work out, I knew from the beginning. Probably every girl Arthur ever wanted to marry tried to kill him at some point!”

“Gwen didn’t”. the witch shrugged. And her maidservant blushed.

“Morgana!”, the dark tanned  woman exclaimed in shock.

“Do we have to discuss this now?”, Merlin asked in her defence. There had been a short but very dramatic time, when Arthur had been courting Gwen, aka Guinevere. But after the whole Lancelot incident he had decided to leave her alone – getting ditched by her quite harshly – and now they were just friends. She was so far the only woman who did not try to kill or harm him. She had hurt him, but not intentionally. And Merlin had forgiven her right away. Usually he did not like it when someone hurt his prince, but those circumstances had been special.

She had always liked Arthur and when they had gotten closer, things were looking good at first, promising. Arthur had even asked his father for permission to court her, but then they had returned from one of their journeys with a young and handsome knight and Gwen had fallen immediately. Lancelot, too. And everyone with eyes could see, that they were destined, made for each other. That he was her one and true mate. But well… Things had not gone well, so now Gwen was single, Lancelot gone and Arthur, well. Arthur was Arthur. He had sulked for a short time, then thrown himself into beating up his knights and Merlin during training and then things had been fine again. That was almost a year ago, now.

“No. Sorry, Gwen, I didn’t mean to…”, Morgana apologized to her maidservant. “That was mean…”

“It’s fine. Just… Not a pleasant memory…”

Arthur was pacing. When he had arrived in his chambers, he had found it empty. Though, he had ordered Merlin to wait in there. And now he was not there.

While the rational part of his brain was certain, that he was probably just walking around in the castle, running some errands, like he usually would, the alpha part was on alert. Where was the omega? Not safe! Not here! Not in his layer – room, he corrected himself. Merlin was not here.

So he walked up and down. He could not smell him. Just a faint hint of him having been  here lingered in the room. But that was enough to trouble him. He looked under the bed. Where it was surprisingly clean. So his servant had done his job. He had also brought the laundry out and tidied up his desk. The bed was made and the wardrobe sorted. So he had been here. And now he was not.

Where was the omega? Where was Merlin? Had someone snatched him away? An alpha maybe? Was there another alpha keeping Merlin from being here? Where he belonged. Merlin belonged here. In his room. At his side. Merlin was his!

No, no, he was not, he corrected himself. Merlin was not his. Merlin was his loyal servant, but not his property. Merlin had the right to go wherever he chose. He could even quit, if he wanted to. Yes, Arthur could order him around, but he did not have him at his disposal. Merlin did not belong to him. They had just spent his heat together. He had not bonded with him, had not marked him. Merlin was not his omega!

But… Where was he? Arthur was nervous. On edge. He wanted to know, where Merlin was. Wanted him here. Needed him here, where he was safe.

Preferably in his bed, if he was being honest. Because he had not slept that well last night. He had woken up several times, not being able to smell the omega, then he had reminded himself, that Merlin was in his bed, safe with Gaius, and had fallen asleep again. Maybe he would just take a few days to get used to Merlin not being his? To defy his alpha nature? Who knew? He had never felt like this. But then, he had never spent their heat with anyone. And his ruts… Well, there had been some chambermaids Uther had sent to take care of this in his younger years. But that could hardly be compared to real heat support by… Well, by someone who was not a beta.

Not that betas were not able to support during heats or ruts, but… Well, it was different with an omega. It had been different with Merlin. And he hoped, that it had been alright for him, as well. That he did not regret his choice. Well, had it really been a choice? Good question… He really hoped, he had not forced himself on the omega. That Merlin would not be repulsed after that… That maybe…

“Where the fuck have you been!?”, he shouted, as the door to his chambers opened.

Merlin froze mid-movement and looked at him in shock. He had a tray balanced on one hand, that he nearly dropped. “I, I, err…. Sorry?”, he stuttered.

And Arthur was also shocked. By his own harshness. He hurried over to his servant, took the tray and pulled him inside, so the door shut. “Sorry!”, he said.

Merlin was pale. Like he was actually afraid. Merlin should not be afraid. Never! And he should never be the reason for his fear!

“Didn’t want to shout. Sorry, Merlin”, he apologized and then did something he would never ever do, because his father had taught him from early on that he should never do this. Never be weak, never let his emotions show. But he pulled him into his arms and hugged him. Gently. “Sorry…”, he said again.

And felt Merlin relax in his arms, immediately. Felt him take a breath and lean in to the touch. “What’s going on?”, he then asked quietly.

“Where have you been?”, Arthur replied, stroking his back. Taking in Merlin’s omega scent. The one he could only smell, when he was close, touching. That much he had figured out by now. And he probably was the only one who could, because otherwise everyone who had ever touched his omega would have found out. Wait, step back. Not his omega. His servant, maybe. He was drifting off again.

“Fetching you dinner. Why? What’s going on?”, Merlin explained against his shoulder.

“Dunno. Really. Just... You weren’t here...”, he admitted, now very calm and composed.

“Why did that make you angry?”

“Wasn’t angry...”

“You shouted. Usually you never get THAT angry, even when throwing things...”, the sorcerer told him.

“Sorry. Just thought, you were gone...”

“What? No. Why would I? Arthur, you’re being unreasonable. You sure, you’re alright?”, the dark-haired wanted to confirm.

Arthur let go. Stepped back and looked down. Examined the floor. It was very clean. And floory. He cleared his throat. “I’m fine. Just... How long’d you take to get that food?”, he tried to distract them both from this.

“I was at Gaius’ first. Then Gwen caught me. Morgana wanted to make sure, I was fine. She wanted to gossip, I guess. But I could confirm, there were no mistresses hidden under your bed”, Merlin joked, nervously.

“Words really go around fast...”, the prince sighed.

“Always. But no one has caught on, so far....”

“Good. Don’t worry, you’re safe with me. No one will find out”, he then smiled at his servant.

“Thank you....”, Merlin reciprocated. Smiling brightly.

“So? What did you fetch from the kitchen?”

Later that night, Merlin lay on his mattress and looked up, at the ceiling. He was wide awake, unable to sleep. Gaius snored peacefully in the other room. And well, he could not sleep. And he had no idea, why! He was tired! But something was... Fuck... No, Merlin did not want to think about that. About the pheromones, the scent that tended to calm him, whenever he smelled it.

He gave it one more hour, then he stood up and dug through the pile of laundry that was not quite dirty, but not clean either and fetched a shirt. One that did not belong to him. The one Arthur had given to him, when he had finally been able to leave his chambers. And he held it under his nose and sniffed.

“Fuck...”, he sighed and went back to the bed, pulled the blanket over his head and pressed his face into the fabric. There was still a faint scent left. A hint of alpha. Of Arthur Pendragon. And with guilt in his stomach he finally fell asleep.

Chapter Text

“What am I even doing here?”, the crown prince of Camelot sighed, so only his servant, who was pouring him wine, would hear.

“You said, your father ordered your presence...”, said servant replied, leaning close to him, while doing his job. And maybe inhaling a nose full of those alpha pheromones he enjoyed a little too much. But that could be ignored. Should be.

Uther was sitting on his throne-like chair at the head of the table, next to him – usually Arthur’s and Morgana’s seats – sat the most powerful rulers currently present. Both seemed to be engaged in a conversation with the king.

Morgana sat between the Ladies of the foreign courts and was currently forcing herself to engage in polite conversation, looking like she was having fun, for everyone not familiar with her attitude. Gwen stood behind her, ready to fulfil her every desire – that did not involve leaving or murdering boring conversers – and every now and then one of the men sitting across from her, tried to get her attention.

Merlin was sure, they tried to land her, but she was not very happy about that. Well, there was still Mordred. Somewhere. She had never actually told anyone, what she thought of the man, the druid boy she once hid had become, but she had never actually refused him in any verbal or nonverbal way...

The knights, by the way, were on watch, but were allowed to participate in general, which had lead to a group of young men and women surrounding Gwaine, who was showing off his sword.

Elyan engaged himself in some slight of hands tricks to impress the servant girls standing at the wall, keeping in check, on case anyone needed something.

Percival was talking to an older man and Leon was standing by the door, at least pretending to be on guard.  Because he was a dutiful knight. He was just looking impressive.

Meanwhile Arthur participated in the feast. He forced himself to and was very glad, Merlin was there, because somehow... He made it more bearable. Every time he refilled his goblet, he could grasp a hint of his smell.

And so he had to bear with it, talked with the old man on his right about the weather, the hunting grounds in the east and about how peasants could not take care of their cattle.  The even older man across from this one agreed, telling him how necessary it was, to keep a good eye on those, because the common people were so sneaky and dumb at the same time, always trying to cheat on taxes.

Then the two other man across from Arthur spoke their mind on that matter and somehow their conversation drifted to how much better the nobles were and that one should never get involved with ‘those people’. And then the first potential bride was offered to him. Arthur gestured for Merlin to refill his goblet. That would be a long night...

He would have to marry. He knew, and he had known what would happen, now that he was officially introduced to the nobility of Albion, but... He did not want to marry now. He did not want to meet all the omegas who would be introduced to him. His last attempts to get introduced to some marriage prospect had not exactly gone well, so, no, he was not ready to sacrifice himself for the kingdom in that way.

“Hey! How dare you!”, a harsh voice snapped him out of his thoughts. The young man sitting to his right had spoken up. Pulled away his chair and stood up in one smooth movement.

“I’m sorry, Sire, so very sorry!”, Merlin apologized immediately, standing between Arthur and the man. He had spilled wine onto the tablecloth and obviously on the noble’s sleeve. Definitely not on purpose, considering how guilty the servant looked.

“You better be!”, the noble shouted and raised his hand. A sound echoed through the air. The sound of skin hitting skin. The man had just slapped Merlin’s face.

“I should have you whipped for this, peasant!”, the noble said angrily and then a lot of things happened all at once.

Merlin reached for his cheek. Feeling the unexpected pain. But was not able to touch the heating skin, because another chair was shoved back and a hand grabbed his wrist, pulled him in. He stumbled and came to a halt against a warm, firm chest. A well trained one, he could tell, because he saw that very chest every morning and evening at least.

Prince Arthur was standing now, Merlin’s back pressed against his front, and glared at the man.

“What were you just doing to my servant?”, he asked calmly and very polite. The sort of calmly that made one wish to consult their notary for some final changes.

Merlin was enwrapped in an alpha’s pheromones. Probably every alpha in the room could smell that the prince was angry. That the dominant alpha was angry. And the natural reaction would be to step back.

“I, I, he dared to soil my sleeve, my prince! Look at this!”, the noble tried to explain, holding his drenched sleeve in front of him to show the proof of the crime.

“And you dared to lay your hand on my servant”, Arthur replied, now definitely pressing Merlin against his chest. The sorcerer was still a little stunned and unable to react in any way.  He was fighting the urge his omega brain wanted to follow desperately, which was leaning into the alpha’s body like some damsel in distress and drench himself in his pheromones.

“He dared to...”

“You dared to touch him....”, the prince interrupted him. Then he used his free hand to grab his goblet of wine, looked at it and then tilted it, slowly pouring it over the noble’s head.

“What?!”

“You are a guest here in this castle. We shared our food and drinks with you. Yet you dared to behave like you own what we offered. You are soiling my honour by behaving this disrespectful. So my servant  probably had any right, to remind you of your place...”

“Sire, my prince, I, I, you can’t do that!”, the noble shot back, now drenched in wine. His shirt was definitely ruined now. He was clenching his hands, definitely angry. But he had to hold back, to not cause a diplomatic disaster.

“I can, Lord Ashton. And if you want to continue to act like that, I will challenge you to a duel in the morning, in the name of Camelot. You stained my honour as the prince of Camelot by harming my personal manservant without my consent!”, Arthur said, radiating the aura of a future ruler of Camelot. And well... Everyone had noticed by now. The hall was silent. Everyone’s eyes were on the prince, his servant with the reddened cheek and the nobleman who had probably just made the worst mistake of his life.

“I, I... You really want to have a duel about that? He’s just some servant boy! How important can he be?”

That had been an even bigger mistake. A grave mistake. Seven pairs of eyes shot over to Merlin. All the knights, Morgana, Gwen and Gaius realised at once, that this poor man had sealed his fate by calling the prince’s personal manservant and valued company on way too many trips, ‘just a servant boy’. Everyone close to Arthur knew better.

“You are tainting my honour and the honour of Camelot even further. I take this as a personal insult!”, the prince informed him. “If you did not bring your plate armour, my knights and their squires will gladly help you finding a fitting set in our armoury....”

“You’re serious? You’re mad! You can’t really want to duel over something like this?”

“Are you refusing? Admitting your defeat, before even starting?”, Arthur asked, still very calm and very, royally polite. He had been trained in the etiquette of the elite since he could walk. So he knew how to walk the line between rightful rage and throwing a tantrum. At least in public. In private he could be very immature, Merlin found.

“I, I accept!”, Lord Ashton finally said, not having any other choice, with the whole court staring at him.

So that matter was settled. And as soon as Arthur could, he excused himself. He exchanged a few words with his knights, assured his father, that this guy had been a threat to the honour and values of Camelot and then he just left the hall, Merlin following suit.

“Are you hurt?”, the alpha asked, as the door to his chambers shut.  They were standing there in the dark now.

“I’m fine, Arthur. It’s just my cheek...”, Merlin assured him.

“Let me see. Can you.... Turn on the lights or something?”, he tried to reason. Now that they were alone, he could barely restrain himself. The alpha inside him was raging! Someone had hurt his omega! His Merlin! His!

He heard the door locking and was pretty sure, Merlin had not used a key to do so, then the fireplace and the lamps lit up and as Arthur looked into the sorcerer’s eyes, he saw them flicker yellow, before they slowly faded back to blue. Beautiful, he thought.

“Satisfied?”, Merlin sighed and looked at him.

Arthur nodded and placed his hand on his cheek, turned his face, so he could see the red mark on it.  “No. He dared to do this!”, the alpha growled in a low voice.

“I’m fine, Arthur! It’s not even a scratch! You’re usually doing worse to me during training!”, the sorcerer tried to explain, fighting back his own instincts. Because his omega brain pretty much just yelled at him to feel the alpha again. To get touched! To smell! He wanted his pheromones, his warmth! To feel protected again!

“Am I?”, the prince asked, dumbfounded.

Merlin rolled his eyes. He was winning the fight inside of him.

“I wouldn’t intentionally hurt you! Never!”

“You’re... I mean, I know. I know you wouldn’t. But, you see, you didn’t have to make it such a big deal. I could have taken care of things in a more subtle matter, Arthur. Now you’ll have to duel that piece of shit in public...”, he relented with a sigh, instead of lecturing him about what regular time spent in the stocks and getting beaten up during training, could do to poor manservants. But he knew, he should not do that. Play with Arthur’s fragile ego. After all, he had just protected him. And the omega in him wanted to do nothing more, than offer him his neck or other parts of his body in return. Which was not appropriate.

“More subtle matter?”, Arthur asked.

“He would have gotten bit by bedbugs, or slipped right in front of the pigsty or something... Dunno, I’m creative, when people annoy me. I mean, that ass has talked behind your back all evening!”, the dark-haired told him. “Actually I only slipped and spilled the wine, because he called you too weak to ever rule...”, he then admitted. Had not planned to, but it was either that or throw himself at the prince and press his nose into his neck. This was bad. Very bad.

“Sounds creative, indeed... You’re quite mischievous, Merlin. Never expected that!”, the prince smiled.

“I can be...”, the sorcerer smirked slyly. 

And then he was pressed against a chest again. Arthur had crossed the distance between them and wrapped his arms around him. Held him close. And tried to shove away his neckerchief with his nose, so he could smell him better.

Merlin stayed silent, but leaned in. Indulged in the touch, the scent. He had missed that. Since his heat was over, he had missed the feeling of Arthur’s body. Of his everything. Just him being close.

One of Arthur’s hands untied the fabric around his neck, so it fell to the floor,  but that was it. Nothing else happened. They just stood there. In silence. Taking in one another. And minutes passed without any of them moving. None of them dared to do anything.

Arthur’s fingers remained at his neck, gently caressing his spine, while Merlin’s hands were grabbing his shirt, holding fast, as if he might just drown, if he ever let go.

“You’re a good alpha...”, the sorcerer finally whispered into his neck, rubbing over his scent glands.

“Mine...”, the alpha just replied, in a voice so low, it was almost just a growl. Barely a word at all.

As they parted, they pretended, that nothing had happened at all. That they had not just stood there, embraced. Merlin closed the door and made his way back to Gaius’ quarters, where the old man was already expecting him, arms crossed in front of his chest, ready to scold him for being late. Eyebrow raised, as he would do, when Merlin had done something very stupid.

Meanwhile Arthur, now dressed in his nightshirt, picked up the piece of fabric that was lying on the floor. Merlin’s red neckerchief. He brought it to his face and smelled it. And fuck, he liked that smell. Knowing he would finally find some good sleep tonight, he went to bed.  He turned off all sources of light, aside from the fireplace, then slipped under the blankets, pressing his nose into the fabric. But it was dark. So no one would see, no one would know how calming that scent would be.

“You owe me an explanation, young man!”, the court physician started, as soon as Merlin had closed the door.

“I... I don’t think, I can explain anything.... At all...”, he just replied, lamely.

“Did you even realise, what happened today? What the whole castle had witnessed?”, Gaius told him.

“Arthur protecting a servant from abuse?”, he tried. But obviously that was not the correct answer.

“We both know that this is not, what happened. You can consider yourself very lucky, that the prince managed to wrap it in court etiquette, otherwise Uther would have been furious!”, the physician explained like he was a child that had almost done something very dangerous.

 Which... Was not that far off, he guessed. He knew that Arthur’s behaviour had not been smart. Not been good, but.... He could not help his heart beating faster, when he remembered the situation. He did not doubt, that Arthur would kill for him. To protect his life. And probably his dignity, too. He was doing exactly the same for his prince, when he was honest. But... Well, that was not how a future king was supposed to behave towards his manservant. A mere beta, as far as people knew.

“I know... I know, Gaius. But it had been... Nice...”, he sighed and rested his face in his hands. “I like him...”, he then admitted. Because, why not? He had never really kept things from Gaius – not long anyway – so he could just as well be honest about that. Maybe this would help clearing his own head?

“That much is obvious....”, the old man nodded. “And Arthur is behaving not that different...”

“Could it still be the pheromones? The heat? I mean... That was not supposed to happen and Arthur was right there. He was exposed to my pheromones. My magic didn’t help at all. He smelled it, as soon as he touched me...”, he tried to explain this whole... Thing. Because there was definitely something going on.

“That... Had never happened, had it? I mean, you conceal it well, usually...”, Gaius mumbled.

“He can still smell it. I can see his reaction, smell him. He is... affected by me...”, Merlin admitted.

“This is dangerous. Are you sure that you didn’t accidentally bond with him? This sounds a lot like what happens with bond mates. I have witnessed it myself several times. The connection is special!”

“No! We did not! I’d feel it. I’d definitely feel if, if we had...”, Merlin sighed. And he was convinced. Because there was this feeling inside him, this longing. The wish to be claimed, mated, bonded. It had not yet been fulfilled. And well, actually it had just come up only now. After he had known the touch of an alpha. Of a certain alpha. Different from the heat-infused urge to mate. Something that had not vanished even after his heat. Which was strange... Definitely strange.

“I... See... Well, young boy, this really is a mystery... And apropos mystery...”, Gaius nodded and then, as if he had just remembered, stood up and went over to his work bench. “I have examined your suppressants. They did not work.”

“That much we know, already?”, Merlin tried, while watching him moving all kinds of vials and glasses around.

“We do. But we did not know, why. Those were not working. They had no effect. I cannot explain it, but in the experiments I performed, they did not help at all....”

“Sooo, they were malfunctioning?”

“Indeed.”

“So? I need new ones?”

“Once your next heat approaches, you will need new ones. Probably stronger than those I made for you. This might help. But that is not that easy, my boy. The herbs I need are rare. I told you often enough that this is the reason, why only so few omegas take them. I think, your mother and I are two of the very few people who are even able to make them...”, the old man explained.

“Yes, yes, you tell me this every time I even mention them. I see. So? You think, taking them might help the... Issue?”, the sorcerer asked carefully. Not entirely sure what the issue was. Well, it was their... Situation. Relationship. Situationship. Or whatever. The fact that Arthur just challenged a noble to a duel because of him. That they had just embraced for a very long time and that it had felt good. That he longed for his scent, for his presence. That he had even taken a piece of clothing from the laundry pile and was using it to get some sleep, while Arthur was in his chambers and he was not. Well, those were dangerous grounds…

“I hope… I do think something needs to be done. But I do not know what causes this… Probably the pheromones?”, Gaius muttered and turned around, to face him again. “I will think of something. Go to sleep now, you will need to assist the prince in the morning…”

“Yes, okay. G’night, Gaius…”

When Merlin entered Arthur’s chambers in the morning the prince was already half awake. He blinked, yawned and then hid a piece of fabric under his pillow, before sitting up.

“C’mere, yes?”, he mumbled and gestured next to him.

“You should get dressed, Arthur”, Merlin sighed, inhaling an intoxicating dose of sleepy-alpha pheromones. And resisted the urge to crawl onto his bed and curl in next to him. This was not healthy. Not good.

“I know. I’m awake, okay? Just… Just a little?”, the prince pouted and the dark-haired sighed again and sat onto the edge of the mattress.

“You need to get up. You got yourself into this duel, you have to win…”

“I know. Wish me luck, hm?”

“Always”, Merlin smiled and could not bring himself to shove Arthur away, as he lay his head into his lap. Instead he started stroking his messy blonde hair, telling himself, he was just combing it in order to prepare him.

“You’re a strange one, Merlin… I really don’t get you at all…”, the blonde mumbled.

“Pardon?”

“You’re soft. And gentle. People would want to hurt you. My father would kill you, if he knew what you’re capable of, and yet… You’re here. At my side… Don’t know yet, if you’re brave or stupid…”

“I’m putting up with you, so I’d go for stupid?”, the sorcerer chuckled. “So, c’mon now, sleepyhead. You need to have breakfast, before I wrap you up in plate…”

“Feed me?”

“If you insist, princess…”, he then sighed and used a simple spell to convince the tray with food to fly over to him. “But don’t get used to special treatment!”

“Got a duel to win!”

“So you want me, to spoil you? Aren’t you already spoilt enough?”

“I’m the prince, Merlin… Ahhhh!”, Arthur told him and opened his mouth, demanding to get fed. Merlin shoved a grape into his mouth.

“Prat…”, he chimed.

“I could get you in the stocks for treason, Merlin!”

“Feel free…”

Two hours later Arthur stood on the fighting ground, in full armour, Merlin a few steps behind him. The morning had been… Strange. Domestic. They had chatted and joked and touched casually, until it had been time to prepare for the fight. And it had felt good.

The duel itself was actually not that spectacular. Leon had dutifully prepared Lord Ashton, who had not brought his plate armour for the occasion and lent him a sword. And well, Ashton had a big mouth, but was not very skilled with the sword at all, so it had been an easy win for Arthur. The whole thing was over in  less than ten minutes and Uther applauded his son and declared him the winner.

Then Merlin had to wait for him to receive all the congratulations and some teasing by his sister and after that, he could strip him off his armour and prepare him for his other duties. And then the sorcerer had some tasks to do, including cleaning and polishing the plate armour. After all, he was a servant and not just Arthur’s shadow.

Then he cleaned the prince’s chambers, did the laundry, then helped Gwen with a few tasks, chatted about everything and nothing and then decided to help Gaius with a few deliveries, before he would be needed by Arthur in the evening. He was looking forward to this. To Arthur. And was not sure, what to think of this.

“Anything new?”, he asked, as he entered the physician’s quarters.

“Yes, indeed. You need to deliver those to Morgana, this salve is for Marianne in the kitchen and August, the stable boy asked for this one here…”, Gaius told him and handed him three packages.

“Okay, I see…”

“And for the other matter, well… You will have to go on a short trip for me, but we will talk about the details in the evening. Now make sure to deliver those…”

And so Merlin had a few more errands to run, a short conversation with Morgana about Arthur’s behaviour – she had mocked the prince and he had defended him, which amused her – then he had a brief encounter with Gwaine at the stables, when delivering to the stable boy, and then he was finally able to bring dinner to his prince. He picked a few of Arthur’s favourites, then went back to his room, to prepare.

The prince was already there, but seemed to have just arrived. He spun around, as soon as he heard the door open and smiled at Merlin. And Merlin’s heart skipped a beat. Which was just not right. And very, very dangerous. They needed to do something about this. This was not good. No, actually it was very good, it felt so incredibly good. But it should not.

“Happy to see me?”, the sorcerer asked, tray in hand, smiling brightly. Which was not very wise.

“I am. What did you do today?”, the prince asked, returning the smile.

“I had a lot to do, you see, I... Err, wait, stop. This is not right, don’t you see?”, Merlin sighed then, demeanour changing, tried to stay serious, reasonable. And ended up with an unhappy excuse for a smile.

“What?”

“Don’t you see, what we’re doing?”, he tried to explain, biting his lower lip nervously. “This isn’t good. You’re the prince. And I’m Merlin, your manservant. Just a commoner. You shouldn’t, we shouldn’t do this”, he tried, not too convinced himself, but one of them had to keep a clear mind. His omega brain was going wild, trying to force him closer, towards the dumbfounded prince, into his arms, but he remained, where he was,  just used a spell to bring the tray to the table. Just to be save.

“You... Fuck, you’re...”, Arthur mumbled, massaging his temples. “It feels nice, to be close to you... I think...”

“I know. Right now I want to be close, I want nothing more than to hug you, but I know this is stupid, isn’t it? I didn’t want that before, so why do I now?”, Merlin asked, leaned against the closed door. They needed to have this conversation, right? They needed to talk about what was there between them. What was going on.

“Same. I enjoy it. I mean, I like you close. Your scent is... It’s doing things. This is... New”, the prince told him. Nodded.

“Gaius says, it’s because of the pheromones. I’m reacting to yours and you react to mine. I mean, you can smell me, can’t you? Despite my spell?”

“When you’re close, I can. When I touch you. Since your heat. It... It’s good...”

“This shouldn’t be possible. I mean, I am using the spell. It works on everyone!”

“They’re not touching, are they? Not getting close.”

“Before, yes, of course! So many people have grabbed me, bumped into me, dragged me, tapped my shoulder, hugged me or whatever. And no one was ever able to smell it. Gwaine bumped into me just this afternoon, when I was at the stables. He pulled me back up and patted my shoulder and definitely had not noticed anything. And he’s an alpha! He smells an omega five kilometres against the wind! And he didn’t even bat an eye!”, Merlin explained, noticing Arthur’s reaction. The alpha tried to suppress it, but he could see, that he was not pleased with Gwaine touching him. That it was an instinctive reaction.

“So... Only I can smell you?”, the blonde pulled himself together and asked instead.

“As far as I know. I mean, Gwen would have asked, if she had noticed anything. And well, Gaius won’t be able to smell it. So... Yes, it’s only you...”, the sorcerer shrugged.

“Gwen knows, too?”

“Couldn’t be avoided. But she won’t tell. I mean, she knows my nature not what happened. This only Gaius knows...”, he tried to explain. Did not want to lie, but also not say too much.

“I see... So, Gaius... Does Gaius know, how we could.... Cut this off? I mean, I really want to press you against myself right now. And... This is probably not as it’s supposed to be...”, the prince asked, scratching the back of his head.

“Yes, well, Gaius had an idea. He’ll tell me later. I think, it has to do with some new suppressants he wants to make. I’ll probably need to fetch him some herbs for this...”

“I see... So I won’t be affected by you anymore....”

“Yes, that’s the point. Hell, Arthur, you challenged some random noble just yesterday!”

“Well, yes, I...”

“You keep my neckerchief under your pillow...”

“Merlin, I...” Arthur blushed.

“I use that shirt you gave me... Fuck, Arthur, we are absolutely unreasonable!”, Merlin admitted, almost shouting.

“I know! I know! But I WANT to smell you! I like your scent... I know, it’s stupid!”, the blonde sighed and rubbed his face with a hand. “I... We should do something about it, shouldn’t we? I can’t think at all. And I’m not even close to my rut!”

“Yes! That’s what I’m saying!”, the sorcerer agreed. Then swallowed. Looked at the window, suddenly very interested in whatever could not be seen there right now. “When’s your next rut, by the way?”

“Minimum two months. So definitely not the hormones. And your heat’s just through... Well... What are we gonna do now?”, Arthur wanted to know.

“I’ll watch you eat, steal some bits, then get you ready for bed and find out, what Gaius suggests?”

“Will you... Keep your distance?”, he asked, carefully.

“I... Probably should. I mean, this will probably never stop, if we indulge all the time...”

“Can we start being smart tomorrow?”, the prince asked, carefully. And he usually was not one to hesitate.

“Can I... Touch you? And, well... Taste. Just a little?”, Merlin mumbled, biting his lower lip. Definitely not blushing, thank you very much!

“Not talking about the fish, I suppose?”

He shook his head.

“C’mere. ‘N take that neckerchief off...”

When Merlin arrived back in Gaius’ quarters, he could proudly confirm that his virtue was still very much intact. He had spent a little too much time in Arthur’s arms, snuggled against him, licked and nibbled at his neck, wrapped by his intoxicating alpha smell. And it had definitely taken a spell to conceal that, when he left, because... He did not want to wash it off.

Light headed and with a stupid smile, he opened the door and let himself in. Probably he had almost levitated, instead of walked here, but no one had seen, so it was fine. That had been so incredibly good! Just spending time with Arthur had been so very close to any form of paradise he could imagine. Even when he had been annoyed by the prince, it had been... Nice.

“You look like a teenager sneaking back in after spending the night out...”, the physician diagnosed, eyebrow raised in typical Gaius fashion.

“Well....”

“You need to get your head cleared. I assume, you hid Arthur’s pheromones on you?”

“How’d you...?”

“I have eyes, Merlin. You look like you are still walking on clouds. Just look at your pupils, still dilated...”, the old man sighed and shook his head.

“Used a spell, ‘cause I... Didn’t want them gone...”, the sorcerer admitted.

“Fine. Today you can. But tomorrow you’ll run two errands for me and then you will leave to gather some herbs for me. You’ll be gone for three or four days. This should be enough, I hope...”

“Enough for what?”, he wanted to know, slowly coming back to earth. Blinking. He would leave? The castle? For some herbs, well, nothing he had not done before...

“To get you both away from each other. So you can get used to reality again. You have been permanently exposed to each other’s pheromones since the heat. You both need to get each other out of your systems. Literally”, Gaius explained. “And for the long term effects, I will create a new suppressant with the herbs you will collect...”

“I... I see....”, Merlin mumbled. Sighed. “So? I won’t see Arthur after preparing him tomorrow?”

“No. You won’t see him after tonight. You will change Amanda’s bandages in the morning, she has cut her hand yesterday, when working. Then you will take your cape from our dear seamstress’ shop and be off. I will prepare a map, so you will find, what I am looking for”, the physician told him. “You will avoid Arthur tomorrow. George will take over your duties. Uther has dismissed him already, after I told the king, how important this task is.”

“Oh... I see... That’s... Probably for the best...”, the sorcerer mumbled, trying not to look too sad. Not to long for his alpha. But he could not help it.

“I explained to him, that those herbs are very important for the omegas in court. That Morgana needs them. This worked.”

“Well, yes, I see... So... I’ll go to bed now?”

“Do that, boy. Let them fade away slowly and then prepare for your journey...”

Merlin nodded. And he hated it. He hated the plan the moment it was presented to him. But he knew, it made sense. He knew, he should probably detoxify from Arthur. From the alpha pheromones. But he did not want to! He liked them!

“Milord, it is time for you, to start your day!”, a vaguely familiar voice woke him. He had slept well, enwrapped in his omega’s pheromones, but now the light was pulling him sway from the warmth he was surrounded by.

“Hmm?”, he made, confused. He knew that voice, did he not? But it was wrong. Because it was here, in his room. Where it had no right to be.

“Milord, I must inform you, that your schedule requires you to wake up within the next two minutes!”, the voice, again.

“Where’s Merlin?”, Arthur mumbled and forced himself to open his eyes, because this was not Merlin. And it was morning and Merlin needed to be here. Merlin. The omega. His omega. He was not here. Someone else was!

That thought helped immensely with waking up. Where was Merlin?!

“Good morning, Sire! I sadly have to inform you, that Merlin will be indisposed for the coming four days, including today. I am here to temporarily replace him, so you will not be left without competent care”, the voice – George, it was fucking George! The most dull and boring person in the kingdom – explained to him.

“Oh? Where’s he?”, was Arthur’s only question, because: why was he not here? He wanted him here! With him! He wanted to have him around! Wanted to at least know, where he was!

“I am not sure, Sire. As far, as I am informed, he is executing a task, the court physician entrusted him with. Are you ready for your day?”, the servant smiled. Just going over his mood, like it was nothing.

“I want Merlin. Get him here!”, he complained, instead of answering the question. Looked around and saw his clothes already prepared on a chair and breakfast set on the table. Without anything missing, he supposed.

“I am sorry, this is not possible at the moment. I was instructed by king Uther himself to take care of your every need, until he returns”, George told him. “Could you please get up now, Sire? I need to dress you, your farther and the council require your presence soon...”

He left the castle before noon. With everything he needed to survive five days out there. Gaius wanted to be sure. He would need one and a half day walks to find the clearing next to the very special and most certainly magic spring, where the herbs would grow. And then he had to wait until midnight to collect them. Hopefully he would be back in three days, but he knew his luck and so did the physician.

Since he was travelling alone and no one was seen in the woods, he could use his magic to find his way, which made traveling easier and faster, than his usual journeys with Arthur and sometimes the knights. Well, now Arthur would probably not mind it, if they were alone. He would even appreciate it, Merlin could not help but imagine. Arthur had liked his magic so far. And his magic had very much liked Arthur. He had the feeling, it had been trying to show off, when he was casting spells in front of him, because usually things would go at least a little wrong, if he was not very familiar with the spell or did not have a spell at all. This had been nice, but also a little strange. Like everything that had been going on since his heat.

Well, he was out here to set things right, was he not? He would try to forget about those feelings, about his reactions towards Arthur. And maybe his magic would also forget? But, when he was being honest, he trusted his magic as much as his omega brain and three hours into the trip, he was convinced, he would miss Arthur desperately and that separating from him and his pheromones would do nothing but drive him mad.

“Where’s Merlin?”, Arthur asked, storming into Gaius’ quarters, looking around, as if the physician had hid him somewhere under his mattress.

“Sire, please, calm down”, the old man tried to sooth the prince, raising both his arms. He had probably seen him being uncharacteristically nervous during the council meeting and so expected him sooner or later.

“He left, without a word. Elyan said, he saw him leaving through the main gate around noon. Explain, Gaius!”

“Sit, Milord. Please!” Gaius pointed at a chair and after standing in the room for a few more seconds, looking around, still enraged, he sighed, pulled the chair towards him and sat. Involuntarily, but he complied. Since Gaius was not a bad person. He knew, but he was still angry.

“Why is he gone?”, he asked then. Looked at the old man.

“I sent him off, Sire. He needs to collect some herbs for me”, said old man explained.

“He left at noon. So, why did he not wake me this morning?”

“He had things to prepare for the trip. And...”

“And?”

“I instructed him to do so...”

“You told my father that I would need George for the next days!”

“I did. Because I need the service of your manservant and George is familiar with you, Sire.”

“Is this... Does this have to do with what’s going on? Merlin told me, you were looking into things....”, the prince sighed. Because, what else could he do? Merlin was gone, at least for now and while the alpha inside him was raging, screaming, yearning, rational Arthur knew, that this would not help. That he could not do anything, but to find out, what was going on. To understand, why the omega was not here anymore. Why he was so far away from his lair, from... No, stop, this was exactly what this was about. Merlin was not here, because he needed to stop thinking about Merlin like that! He needed to stop acting like an animal whenever Merlin and his pheromones were around. This was the exact reason, why Merlin was wherever he was! But... He hated it.

“So, you are aware of... This change?”, the old man asked, carefully.

“I’m mad about him, yes. I know. Since we, well, since then, I can’t stop wanting him close. He said, you were looking for a way to get things back to normal”, the prince explained.

“That is correct. This is why he will collect some herbs for me. I need them for his new suppressants, and also....”, the physician hesitated.

“Yes, Gaius?”

“You have been exposed to each other’s pheromones since the incident. I have reasons to assume, that a period of detoxification will help both of you to... To get used to how things were before. Do you understand this, Milord?”

“I... I do. So you sent him off. Into the woods?”, the prince asked.  Appearing calmer now. Forcing himself to stay reasonable. Because... Well, this was a reasonable explanation. This made sense! And Gaius was totally right! He should keep some distance from Merlin. From those pheromones. From the slender, soft body, the pale neck, the dark, messy hair that contrasted so well with his white sheets, the red lips the... Yes! Yes, he should! For fuck’s sake!

Even though the alpha inside him obviously did not get the memo. It was raging, screaming! It wanted to chase after the omega! Claim him! Bring him back safely, before anything or anyone could touch him! Protect him! Own him!

“This is correct. But he will be back in a few days, Sire. I know, this will be hard for you, but... This is the reasonable solution. You need to forget about him, Milord”, Gaius sighed. Looked at him, not with pity, but with understanding and Arthur suddenly realised, why Merlin trusted him so much. Why Merlin was so close to him. Gaius seemed like a father to him, or maybe a grandfather. Full of experience and shaped by life, but not hardened. Gaius was soft. He seemed to understand what he was feeling, though he was only a beta with a regular brain that did not just short-circuit around a certain omega, and, well, he did not pretend like Arthur had no right to feel it.

“I know, Gaius. But it feels... It’s not supposed to feel like that, is it?”, the prince wanted to know. He did not want to tell the physician, what exactly he was feeling, but probably he did not have to. Probably Gaius already knew.

“You see, Sire, this most likely is like some kind of drug. You know that there are medicines and herbs, that can make you addicted to them, right?”, the old man explained with patience.

He nodded.

“You can compare this. You have gotten used to each other’s pheromones, so you want them, when you do not have them. Which is a problem, since you are the prince. You have a lot of responsibilities, including finding a fitting mate. Which, according to our king, Merlin could hardly ever be. We both know this, do we not?”

Again Arthur nodded. And bit his tongue, because he knew, the old man had a point.

“This is why we need to stop, what is not supposed to be. It will probably even be painful at first, but as soon as the remains of his pheromones left your system, you will be able to look forward. You will not have to sacrifice your friendship, if this works. You just need to... Keep your distance, Sire. For a while.”

“Will Merlin also suffer?”

“I... I am sure, he will take care of it. Merlin is a very capable young man.”

“Could this... These circumstances make him an easy target?”

“Merlin is powerful. He has survived worse, Milord.”

“Tell me, Gaius.”

“Pardon?”

“What has Merlin done so far to, I quote: ‘safe my sorry ass’?”, Arthur wanted to know all of a sudden. Wanted to distract himself from the picture of Merlin in pain. Alone, out there in the woods, probably attacked by some beast or bandits, while he was here. Alone. Missing him. Doing nothing! His alpha was raging!

“This is what he said, I guess?”, the old man chuckled.

He nodded, once again.

“You see, he has been protecting you with his... Talent”, Gaius started, cleared his throat and then started telling. Because a distracted prince was a good prince, at least for now. Until the effects would wear off...

When the night came, he prepared a small fire and put out his bedroll. Then he had a simple dinner and went to sleep, his magic guarding him, concealing him and the fire, because: he could. No one else would notice, so he could use his magic freely once again.

He really, really tried to fall asleep. Because he needed the rest. He still had a long way ahead of him, though he had managed about the half of it already. But he could not fall asleep. He was wide awake. Thinking. About Arthur. Could not help it. He wanted nothing more than rest, at least the rational part of his brain, the other obviously wanted Arthur. The alpha’s scent, his warmth, him. And that was very frustrating, because Merlin knew all too well, that he should not. That he was on this quest to forget about exactly this.

Because it was not good. It was not what had been supposed to happen. They were two sides of one coin, shared one fate, but they were definitely not destined for THAT! Arthur was supposed to find a nice and very fertile omega who could provide many benefits for the kingdom, and he was supposed to be his shadow, help him, protect him and be by his side. Definitely not in that way! Well, he was an omega, but he was a servant, had nothing to give and he was male. Male omegas were not that rare, but chances were high, that he would never be able to have Arthur’s child. Because a fertile male omega indeed was a rare occurrence. Not as rare, as a female alpha, but rare enough, his rational brain tried to convince him.

And even if that were not an issue, did he even want that? He was supposed to protect and help the future king of Camelot and not carry his heir! And, well, Arthur most likely did not even want that! He was not thinking clear right now! They both were not! Which was exactly the problem. The one he tried to solve.

So: he should not want Arthur. Full stop. Not in that way! Not long for him and his touch, his scent, his body, his stupid, prudish attitude, their arguments and the time they had spent in each other’s arms…

Arthur had definitely not been pacing. Not walked around the castle aimlessly. Thinking about Gaius’ words. About way too many occasions where Merlin had saved him. About Merlin himself. About the omega, the sorcerer, the slender, pale, so very beautiful young man he had had the luck to hold not too long ago. About how his eyes went from blue to yellow, when he did magic, about his scent, his voice, his moans in his ears, about how smooth and warm his skin felt, and fuck, this could not go on!

This was definitely not healthy! Gaius was absolutely right! He was the prince! He was not supposed to think about Merlin that way! Merlin could never become his! And he was way too precious to end up as some kind of mistress. So it would be best, if none of this ever happened again. Had not happened at all. He should forget about that! All of that! About the sweet taste of Merlin’s neck, the sensitive scent glands, the omega smell only he could sense…

He took a deep breath, inhaling the phantom smell of familiar pheromones and suddenly felt very, very lonely. The omega was not here. Had left. Left him. A thing his alpha hated. It hurt, though he knew it was for the best. He knew that he should not mourn, that he had to move on. That it had only been a delusion, nothing real. But…

“Hey, you!”, he called out, as a young woman carrying a pile of fabric crossed his way. Immediately she froze and turned around, bowed with the pile in her arms.

“Milord!”, he said, maybe in shock, but definitely surprised, and lowered her gaze.

“What’s your name?” he asked, looking her up and down. She was… Not beautiful, but far from ugly. She wore a common dress, fitting for a servant, a chambermaid, he supposed.

“I am Grete, Milord”, she mumbled, bowed again.

“Great. Say, are you, by any means, free at the moment?”

“I…” she dropped the pile of fabric – probably tablecloth – and straightened her dress. “Yes, Milord!”

He nodded. “Lead the way, Grete…”

Chapter Text

Merlin sighed. Fuck. He should not have started thinking about it. About Arthur. Now he was getting hard in his pants. Which was not very comfortable. But... He was alone in the woods and Arthur was very far away. So... He could just as well indulge in the thoughts about him. In the memories of their time spent in bed...

He had done that before. Once or twice maybe. Long before the incident. But only when he had been exposed to Arthur’s alpha pheromones for a certain time, when he felt the prince’s rut approaching for example, or when he had been very... Very alpha-like. He was not proud of this and would be very happy, if his prince never found out, but... He knew the guilt already. The feeling of secretly fantasizing about his touch, but now he actually knew how he felt, how it felt. This was making his imagination way more graphic. Way more realistic. Fuck, he needed to stop this! Should not do it!

But no one would ever know, right? Arthur would not know that his hand was untying his laces now, sliding into his pants, stroking his hardening prick, while he thought about him. While he imagined it being the alpha’s hand.

“Hnn...”, he made, as his hand closed around his shaft, freeing it from its cage. He felt his hole twitching, but no, no he would not! He would not do it this way out here. Just stroking himself had to be enough for now. He could imagine Arthur doing it. Like he had done about a week ago. And he could imagine Arthur’s dick inside of him. Fucking him. Imagine his knot swelling.

“Oh, hmmm...”, he sighed, adjusting his speed, holding himself a little firmer. Yes, Arthur had grabbed him hard. Not as urgent and impatient as he was doing it to himself right now, but he had not hesitated.  Arthur never did. Everything he did, he did with this certainty he both loved and hated about him, because it always got him in trouble.

“Arthur, fuck....”, he whispered, as he felt his orgasm approaching. His body tensing, his magic tingling through his vanes, in the tips of his fingers and, oh, yes, that was good! Just like Arthur would do it!

And then he came, spilled over his hand and onto the fabric. He would clean that later, but for the moment he would dwell in the feeling, float in the sensation, enjoy the memories of them together in bed, of Arthur’s warm body behind him, holding him close. And imagine he was here with him. Just for now….

He had undressed himself. Had dismissed George as soon as he had seen his face. Had not even thanked him for preparing a bath or his meal. He had just stripped, cleaned himself, very thoroughly and then put on his nightshirt. Now he lay under his blankets and thought. And maybe hated himself just a little bit.

He should not have done this. But he had no reason not to! He was the prince! He had every right! Uther had encouraged it more than once in the last years, but still… He felt like shit after this. Because of Merlin. And himself. Because he felt like he had betrayed his omega – which, of course, was not true, since Merlin was neither his, nor had he actually betrayed him – or like he had done something unthinkable! And well, it had not even been good. Worth it. It had just been... Okayish, like a way too chewy steak, after having gotten used to meat cook on point.

He felt horrible. The relief had not even lasted two minutes, before his brain had started racing, before he had pretty much just stormed out of the unused guest room, still rightening his clothes. He had been rude, he knew, but he could not care less, because… Well, Merlin. He had even thought of Merlin, just to be able to come. Had used him to finish on someone else – not inside, never inside, his father had drilled into him from age thirteen. Fuck! He had thought about Merlin! And now he felt like a piece of shit. He WAS a piece of shit!

He hoped this would really pass. That Gaius was right. This had to be a temporary condition, because under no circumstances could THIS be something permanent! Because he was the prince! He had duties! Obligations! And those did definitely not include longing for his magic omega manservant!

But he wanted… He wanted Merlin. Not necessarily in a sexual way, but just have him close, be able to smell him, feel him. It would be fine. Enough. Of course he would not mind the sexual aspect, too, but he was not sure, if they should, could, if Merlin even wanted him in that way, now his heat was over. He had heard of omegas, who only engaged in sexual acts during their heats and remained asexual the rest of the year. Of the nine to ten months the heat cycle lasted. So… Would Merlin even?

He sighed. Turned. And pulled the blanket over his head. Fuck, he tried not to think about it! He had to forget this! Merlin’s pheromones, the feeling of his smooth skin… Argh! This was bad, very bad!  He really hoped this would fade within the next days, because he was well aware, that this was far from appropriate! He was the prince! Had had his duties, his obligations, his fate! Merlin deserved better. So much better.

Because Merlin was a good guy. A nice one. He had a good heart. He deserved an alpha who would give him the world. Someone who was not bound by title and law. Someone who could love him. Could give everything to him.

Fuck, he wanted to be the one, he realised in shock. He wanted to spoil him, carry him in his arms, give him everything, but well… This would not happen. Because they were who they were. And, well, he had not even asked Merlin, what he wanted. Maybe he did not want him at all? Not in that way? Well, he should not. That was not a good choice. He was not!  Maybe for some omega noblewoman or man, who wanted power and amenities, but not for a cute, handsome sorcerer, who possibly had a bright future ahead of him. And maybe there was an alpha just waiting for him. A more fitting one…

His alpha hated the thought. His alpha wanted nothing more, than to claim Merlin, to keep, to protect! He wanted to drag him into his lair and lock him away, protect him, keep him, mate him, breed him, possess him! And he knew that this was not a wise thing. Not a rational thing. He was not some beast! And Merlin did not deserve this… He had never even asked, what Merlin wanted! He could be very glad, that Merlin had not hated him after he had pretty much just forced himself on him when he had been in heat… Fuck!

He was a horrible human being, was he not? Demanding and forcing and wanting… He really hoped, this would wear off, fade away, because he would not want to hurt Merlin further. Never wanted to hurt his precious… Manservant. Friend.

He changed his position once again and blinked, as a sweet scent tickled his nose. Vaguely familiar, but he had no idea what it was. So he raised his head and looked around. In the moonlight that shone through the window, he could see the silhouette of something that had not been there before. Something was standing on his nightstand. He reached out and touched it. It was a small, fragile vase with a flower inside. A sweet smelling one. He could only make out the contours, because it was dark, but he knew, where it came from. Smiled. And smelled it.

And immediately he felt guilty. For what he had done. Today and a week ago. For everything. Because Merlin was sweet and good and so very precious, and he was an ass. A prat. He was so very right…

Fuck, he missed him. He wanted him. Longed for him… Missed his loyal, sweet Merlin, who would always speak his mind, would call him stupid right in the face and smile as bright as the sun....

It had taken him less time than he had expected, he had reached the spring around noon of the next day and had to wait for the moon to rise, to pick the herbs he had already spotted. So he just waited. Gathered some edible plants, made a camp and leaned against the rock the spring emerged from, relaxed, dozed off and well… Just waited.

He played around with his magic, because he could. Because no one was watching him. Created two blue butterflies that were dancing around each other, watched them. And tried to forget, that he was alone out here. That there was no Arthur. No alpha, who was with him. Fuck, it had not become better so far. He was still longing for his presence, for his touch.

Absent-mindedly he picked one of the flowers that were growing around him and smelled it. The blue petals were giving off a sweet scent. It did not look familiar. Like a flower he knew, but it was beautiful. The colour reminded him of Arthur’s eyes.

He wondered, what his prince was doing. Hoped, he had forgotten and would never forget at all. He wanted to be missed, but also wanted this whole thing to be over, to go on, just like before. He knew, it was the rational choice to be over and done with those feelings, but… It felt so good. To think of Arthur. And to touch him. To be with him. To smell him. Fuck, he wanted to smell his alpha scent. His omega wanted to submit to it, to bare his throat, expose his scent glands, to be claimed, marked.

And he knew, this would not just stop. That when he returned to Camelot, be it tomorrow or next week or in a month, he would still long. He would crave his presence. This whole journey had been meaningless for him, at least. He would still crave Arthur! But well… Maybe, when he returned, at least Arthur would be cured of this? Would forget about him? This would make things easier. Because that would mean, he could be the prince again and Merlin his loyal servant.

Even though he still wanted him. But it would work out. They could go back, even if it was only one-sided. He needed to make sure, Arthur was a worthy successor to the throne. That he would get a good match, an omega more fitting than any lowly peasant could ever be. This would work. He could do it. He could manage. He just wished, that Arthur really was cured from this. That Arthur would not suffer. Could move on.

He would manage. Somehow.

At sunset of the following day – Arthur had no idea at all, how he had spent those twenty  hours – a cloaked figure sneaked its way back into the castle. He had seen. Because he had spent most of the day looking out of windows, checking the gates, the streets whenever he could, interrupting whatever duty he was on at that moment, but since it was a lazy day, not too many people were leaving and entering the castle.

So the figure caught his attention right away. And his brain supplied ‘Merlin!’ immediately, because he recognized the way he walked, the way the fabric moved. Recognized just everything. He just knew, it was him. Had no doubt at all. And hurried down the stairs, without a second thought, while the sun set at the horizon.

“Merlin!”, he called out, running, as the figure tried to enter the castle. It froze, immediately. Head shot up.

“Arthur!”, Merlin whispered. Staring at him out of large, blue eyes. He seemed surprised.

“You’re back!”, the prince smiled brightly, still trying to catch his breath, and stepped forwards. Towards him.

“I, I just arrived…”, the servant stammered, still mainly covered in his cloak, luggage shouldered.

“I saw you. Are you alright? Has anything happened to you?”, he wanted to know, now standing right before him, putting both hands on his shoulders, resisting his first urge to touch, to feel, to examine for any kind of injury, to hug. And then the strong wave of scent, of omega pheromones, of Merlin hit him and all his worries just subsided. Merlin was here, was safe, was back. And he was relieved. Happy. So very happy.

“I’m just a little out of breath. It’s almost dark, I barely made it on time, before nightfall…”, the dark-haired explained and took a deep breath. Inhaled his scent and he could see his reaction, right away. That he had taken in the smell of an alpha, of him. And he could not help, but feel proud. Glad, that Merlin reacted to him, even though he had discussed this with himself otherwise on several occasions in the past hours.

“Great. So… Did you get Gaius’ herbs?”, he then asked, still smiling. Still touching.

“I did.”

“So… He will be able to make that suppressant?”, he concluded, relief turning into sadness all of a sudden. Because he had him back. And he was safe. And he was still, well… He was still affected… But… That was not good… Because it should not be that way. Because they should have stopped. And now Gaius would make some medicine that would force Merlin to stop. That would make him oblivious to his scent.  Like before. Which was good. Right! But it felt not good. He hated it. Though he knew, it was the best solution.

“Yes... Let me drop my things, then I will... I mean, can I... You see, you have George now, so maybe you won’t need me tonight?”, the omega mumbled, looking as insecure, as he felt.

“I hate him. I absolutely hate George! I throw him out every time, but he keeps coming back. Forbid him to help me undress, at least that worked. You... I mean, I’d appreciate... Just do your job, okay?”, Arthur explained.  He did pretty well, he thought. Well, he could have fucked up more. And he had Merlin back. Merlin!

“I see. I’ll be right there. Okay?”, the dark-haired could not help, but smile. And for Arthur it was like the sun was rising right in front of him.

“Yes. Please.”

Merlin opened the door to Gaius’ quarters, found the old man absent, dropped everything he had on him just somewhere onto the floor and turned around. Shut the door and made his way to the prince’s chambers.

Okay, well, this had not worked, that much was obvious. Merlin could still smell Arthur’s pheromones strongly. And that still did things to him. And Arthur... Arthur was glad to see him. Arthur wanted him close. Which  was very good, because it made his heart race, which was very bad, because it made his heart race! Fuck! This should not be good! He should not do that. Feel that! He had had that talk already! With himself. And they had agreed to just hope, that they were not affected anymore.

So... Why was he on his way to Arthur’s chambers? Why was he looking forward to this so much? Why did he want him so fucking much?!

Instead of answering his own questions, he knocked on the door and let himself in without waiting for the answer. And grinned, as he saw Arthur’s face light up, as he turned around, towards him, from the spot next to the nightstand, where he had been looking at something.

“Merlin!”

“Hey. Have you eaten yet?”, the servant greeted him. Tried to distract himself from this giddy feeling rising in his chest.

“Not yet. George just brought dinner. I dismissed him. He won’t be back... I hope. Have you eaten?”, the blonde wanted to know, pointing at the table, as if to prove that he had actual food right here.

“Oh, err, no. Not yet...”, the sorcerer admitted and his stomach agreed, grumbled audibly.

“Eat. I mean, sit with me, yes?”, the prince commanded, changed his mind and tried asking. Pulled back a chair, looked at it, seemed to notice something, decided to gesture at the other chair and sit down himself. And maybe he blushed a little.

“Yes, okay. Thanks”, Merlin smiled and sat down. He felt nervous, all of a sudden. Well, what were they supposed to do now? They could not go on like this, could they?

“So... Did Gaius say anything?”, the prince asked, after a while. They both had not dared to start eating.

“I... Haven’t seen him, yet. He wasn’t in and I... Just came here...”, he admitted with a shrug, staring at the plate with food. Feeling a little lost.

“I see... So... I assume, this did not help at all? This whole detoxifying thing, I mean...?”, Arthur asked, carefully. And reached for the bottle on the table. Poured them both some wine.

“You can still smell it?”

“Fuck, yes! You’re so, argh... You’re absolutely irresistible.”

“I’m an omega. This is how it’s supposed to be... Just you smelling, isn’t ...”

“Yes. No. I mean, I know omegas. The scent in general. And it’s different. I mean, they smell nice. But you’re absolutely... Well, yes... I like your smell better...”, the prince admitted.

“Thanks?”, Merlin replied and took a mouthful of  wine, so he would not have to say more. It was thinned with water. So at least he would not get drunk. He did not want to imagine himself intoxicated with anything else but him, while around Arthur.

“Eat. Please.”

“Yes, yes, got it. You don’t need to force food on me. I’m not some fair maiden, who’ll faint that easily!”, the omega sighed and rolled his eyes. But stretched out his hand and reached for a piece of bread.

“I know! Just... Let me do something, okay? This whole, this thing is new to me, got it?!”

“This, what?”, he wanted to know and took a bite. Looked at the blonde expectantly. And had absolutely no idea, why he even wanted the prince to say it. He already had a general idea, what he meant.

“This whole thing. I mean, I care for you ‘n stuff, I’m just not good at...”

“You’re a prat. Of course you’re not good with what normal people do...”, Merlin laughed all of a sudden, because, well Arthur was just cute sometimes. Happily swallowing the bread.

“Hey! Stop insulting me! I’m trying to be nice, here!”, the prince pouted. But could not completely suppress a smile.

“You’re not very good at being nice!”, he continued, still laughing.

“Hey, I’m a pro at court etiquette, but I don’t think you’d ever fall for my charm like that. You probably wouldn’t even understand my intentions, peasant”, Arthur accused him. And then they both were very silent all of a sudden. Just stared at each other.

Yes, Arthur had actually said that. And yes, Merlin had understood. And wanted nothing more than for him to do exactly this. But... There was this very big But. With a capital B even. Merlin was still a servant and Arthur the fucking crown prince. And they were absolutely not supposed to, to... To whatever this was going to be!

“I... Suppose we should either talk about this or pretend all of this never happened and move on?”, Arthur sighed after solid five minutes of silence.

“We could... Try both?”, the dark-haired suggested. “I mean, talk and then pretend, the last week never happened?”

“This.... I mean, do you think, that actually works?”

“I have no idea. What aspect do you mean?”, Merlin asked.

“Both. All. The pretending and the... The thing. I mean... We both know that this is... Nothing people would approve...”, he tried to speak his mind. Tried to explain the situation they were in, without actually explaining it, because the sorcerer must already know, this was not only about them, it was about the whole court. The whole castle and probably all of Camelot! What would he give, to just be some commoner who would just elope with this servant to find happiness somewhere else, maybe in a nice house in the countryside?

“I know. Can hardly protect you in secret, when people actually know, I’m, we’re, I mean... I’m your servant. And that’s fine. That’s it. Never wanted more, you know?”

“I know. You’re not one of those boot lickers, that would do and say everything to please me... You’re hardly nice to me at all!”

“Only when you deserve it!”, the sorcerer replied. “But... When I am, I mean it. Don’t want you to get ahead of yourself ‘n all, you see? Everyone has their heads so deep inside royalty’s ass, it’s hard to bear!”

“I know and it’s awful! It’s my ass we’re talking about, after all!”, he joked. And was happy, when Merlin smiled at the image.

They talked a little, went back and forth, just complaining about nobility and people always wanting something and then, out of a whim, Arthur suggested to move to the bed for the more serious part. With the rest of the food. Just to sit next to each other and continue their conversation. Just to have him close. Casually touch his skin every now and then.

“I mean, I know, you wouldn’t. The only bribe you accept is the food you steal from my plate”, he grinned, while they got comfortable.

“As if I’d ever take a bribe! I do what I want, and that’s it! Oh, what’s that?”, Merlin replied, as his eyes suddenly fell on the nightstand. Arthur followed his gaze. “Where did you get that?”

The sorcerer was staring at the single blue flower that sat in a small vase on the nightstand. The one that had suddenly appeared two nights ago.

“I, err... It had suddenly been there the night before the last. Didn’t you send it? It felt like... Well, like something from you?”, he told the sorcerer, wondering. Had he not send it? Would he need to start worrying? Had this been some kind of attack, a threat maybe?

“Oh... I... I wasn’t aware...”, the dark-haired mumbled and looked away. Blushed.

“So, it was you?”, he wanted to confirm, looking at him.

“I think, I might have.... I mean, this flower grows where I collected the herbs and... Maybe, I’ve been thinking about you?”, Merlin admitted, chewing his lower lip nervously.

“You thought about me?”, Arthur repeated. Relaxed. Because this was so utterly Merlin. It was cute, that he would unintentionally do something like that.

His servant nodded.

“I’ve thought about you, too. I’ve missed you and... I.… Oh, Shit!”, he admitted and then mid-sentence suddenly realised, he had done something horrible, right before he had gotten the flower. Fuck, he did not deserve it! This was awful! He was awful! While Merlin was being all cute and sweet he had… Fuck!

Well, he did not owe Merlin anything at all, but... Fuck, he should maybe better tell him, before he found out through the grapevine. When they were talking and all...

“Are you alright, Arthur? What’s up? You’re so pale all of a sudden!”, the sorcerer worried.

“I... I fucked things up, I think. I mean, I’m terrible, you know that already, but I think, I’ve really fucked it up, actually...”, he admitted. Or at least tried to admit. Because he realized, he was talking nonsense. But he had to tell him.

“Did you tell anyone?! About, well, about any of this?”, Merlin exclaimed, suddenly looking shocked and a little afraid. Panicked, like he was about to run off.

“No! No, definitely not! Wouldn’t tell! No, I did... Well, it wasn’t even any good, it was really bad actually and not anyhow pleasant and you, well, had to think of, well, you and... Fuck, I just tried to forget, okay? Wasn’t one of my best ideas...”, Arthur explained. And knew at the same time that Merlin had absolutely no idea, what he was talking about.

“We both know, that I am very used to you talking nonsense and putting this into somehow comprehensible statements to work with, but right now I have absolutely no idea, what you are trying to tell me. So? What happened? And please tell me, I won’t burn in the morning!”

“No, no! Definitely not! But maybe I will?”

“Arthur?! Use your words!”

“Right before you send that flower, I really tried to take Gaius advice! I really, really tried to forget it all and well... I may have ended up shagging a chambermaid... But it was awful! Felt absolutely not right! Even had to think about you just to finish this and, well, yes, now you can punch me. Or so. Merlin. Merlin? Hello?”, he told him in one long breath, just to get it out. Fast. So he could receive his punishment. So Merlin could actually hate him. But, well, Merlin just stared at him. Blinked. And continued staring.

“You... You did what?”, he then, finally asked.

“I, argh, it was stupid, I know. I shouldn’t have. Not with how things are, but, well, I thought that maybe this would help to get things back to how it was before. But it didn’t work, you see? I’m sorry, okay? Won’t ever do that again. Can’t, anyway. Probably...”, Arthur muttered. Admitted. Well, it was true. He did not want to sleep with anyone, or even be close to anyone in a casual way. At least right now there was only Merlin on his mind. Which was bad. But good. Well...

“You... Fucked a chambermaid?”

“Well, tried to...”

“Hm. That’s hard. So... Even this didn’t work, hm? That’s very bad...”

“Well... So, nothing that can be done about this, right? About all this, I mean. Not the shagging part...”, he mumbled. They had tried, right?

“So you can’t even enjoy your time with anyone? Must be hard for you...”, Merlin huffed. And... Was that the hint of a smirk on his face? Was he making fun of him? This could not be true! He would not... Well, he was Merlin, of course he would!

“’ts not like I do this all the time...”, the prince admitted with a pout. Because, well, Merlin seemed to imply this was a regular thing for him. Which it was not! He had occasionally done it with some willing beta women and every now and then demanded company during his ruts, especially when he was younger, before he would take Gaius medicine, that made things more bearable, but no, he did not regularly do this with anyone! And right now he did not even do it with anyone else, but his omega. This omega, he corrected. Merlin.

“You’re the prince. And an alpha. Surely, they are lining up for you, if you snap your fingers...”, the sorcerer said. “I mean, I work here. I hear things. Most servants would not mind... There are even alphas who wouldn’t reject you...”

“Just because they would, doesn’t mean, I would. What do you take me for? I’m not some teenager, who’s libido is running wild! I hardly take anyone to bed!”

“You took me. Well, just because of my heat, but, well... You could have rejected me, you know?”, Merlin mumbled.

“I wouldn’t. Reject you, I mean. You’re nice, Merlin, I mean… Wouldn’t ever have rejected you… Fuck, can we just agree that you’re very hot ‘n all? And, well, right now I really, really want you close…”, the prince said, with a sigh. Looked over, to his manservant.

“We can… I think… I mean… Feels nice…”, the servant replied.

“Would you...Come closer?”, he asked. Tried a small smile. And Merlin nodded and complied. Rested his head on his shoulder and sighed.

“...Feels good…”

“You’re really not… I mean… I feel bad for shagging that girl…”

“Do you expect me, to be… Mad?”

“Dunno…”

“I didn’t expect anything else, to be honest. You’re the prince. Everyone wants you, but… The omega is hurt. Can’t deny that. I mean… I have no right to want you at all, but it feels like you’d reject me…”, the sorcerer mumbled, eyes closed. Leaning against him. And it felt good. Right. He felt good. Calm. Like Merlin belonged right there.

“I wouldn’t… I mean, I can’t even stand when you’re not around, how could I reject you? I want you, Merlin…”, he whispered and turned towards him, put his arm around him and started caressing his neck. And the alpha in him was happy. Exited. Nearly satisfied by the omega pheromones.

“Hm…”, the servant replied in a high pitched voice and shuddered.

“We… Can we do this… At least until the medicine is… Until Gaius is done?”, the prince mumbled, rubbed his nose against Merlin’s temple.

“He’ll be done in a few days, but I can’t take them now…”, the dark-haired explained with a sigh, relaxed even further.

“Not?”

“No. I think, I told you before… I need to take them about two weeks before my next heat, right now it wouldn’t help at all… I messed up for this cycle…”

“Hm… So this can stay like this for… A few months?”, Arthur asked, hopefully, taking in his scent, his warmth, everything.

“It shouldn’t… I mean… You know that… It’s not a good idea…”

“I know. But it’s good. Maybe a little? When we’re alone? Just some… Some being close?”

“Hm… You got your duties…”

“Won’t neglect them. I’ll be good, okay? Just let me… Just a little…”, he mumbled now against Merlin’s neck, kissed him there. “I’ll do what’s necessary…”

“Fine, fine, but… You’re the prince. If you ever act stupid in front of, ahhn… Everyone, I’ll… Hnn, I swear, I’ll leave again. I’ll go away, if anyone will ever figure out, hnn, there, yes, hmm…”, the sorcerer sighed, while he nibbled on his soft skin, licked over his scent glands and he pretty much melted under his touch, but well, his words were clear. Arthur understood. And he would comply, he knew. Because it was Merlin. Anyone else would not even dare to threaten him, but of course Merlin would! And would fall for it. For him. Would do what his omega wanted. Because he needed him. He wanted him!

Okay, maybe going back to how things were before, would not work out after all… He did not have to try to convince himself otherwise. He was absolutely gone for this omega. And even if he was not any more, he could definitely not pretend, none of this had ever happened… So, well… They would see, how things would work out for now.  They would work something out. Probably…

Chapter Text

Gaius had not been pleased, when Merlin returned to his quarters after that evening, well, maybe it had been the middle of the night, because he had almost fallen asleep in Arthur’s bed. So Merlin had had to explain himself and that things did not work out, but that they had a plan now. That they would pretend and keep things secret and with a very loud resigned sigh, the old man had nodded and dismissed him.

Since then two weeks had passed and things had been more or less normal. Arthur was not grounded any more and would ride out for a short rabbit hunt or patrol with his knights and Merlin. And when they returned in the evening, Merlin would follow him to his chambers, strip him off his plate, prepare dinner and then they would sit on the bed, eat and just casually touch. Snuggle, hug and kiss each other’s necks and smell and dwell in the feeling. And maybe – just sometimes – Arthur’s hand would wander under his shirt and caress his back, his spine would make him shudder and maybe whimper a little, but that was it. Nothing more ever happened. They did not even kiss. Actually kiss. And that was fine. Because none of them dared to cross the line. Neither wanted to overstep and make the other uncomfortable. And it worked. Just fine.

They would separate in the evening and Merlin would accidentally leave his neckerchief on Arthur’s pillow, because he had to take it off to change. He always was so clumsy, lately, always spilling some water on his shirt, having to change into one of Arthur’s, to go back to Gaius’. And if he cuddled with the shirt at night, that was nothing spoken out loud. Just like he would not mention that Arthur did the same with his neckerchief.

Arthur had gotten three very long and exhausting speeches by Uther, by now. All about him having to get married sooner or later and that he should really think about the candidates they had received until now. That he needed to decide, who would benefit the kingdom the most. But the prince had been able to convince his father, that they needed to be very, very certain, to form such a bond. A strong alliance.

And the old war strategist had to agree on that, though he still brought it up every now and then. Even dared to mention Guinevere, who had been a marriage prospect long ago, but Arthur made himself very clear, that she was off the list. And well… Morgana, too, for obvious reasons, though Uther did not exclude her completely from the list of prospects, since she was a good catch at all, which grossed the prince out a little, but he bit his tongue.

They were pretty good at acting like nothing happened, the prince found. Because, well… He wanted to continue doing this and Merlin had been very clear. So he tried his best, to suppress his alpha instincts, whenever the sorcerer was being close to someone else, because the knights were always friendly with him, Gwaine had even lifted him and carried him off to somewhere on more than one occasion. Always in a friendly way and Merlin had not struggled too hard, but his alpha had hated it had been jealous, claiming! Wanted to protect the omega. But he had held back. Until they were in Arthur’s chambers at least. Then he would wrap his arms around his not-mate and just hold him, smell him, until his urges were satisfied.

One day, after about a month had passed since Merlin’s heat and spring was starting to get warmer with every day, while the knights were training and Merlin was sitting on the training ground, polishing swords, word reached them, that something was going on in the woods, close to the northern villages. It had just been a rumour at first, but now an actual messenger had arrived, stepped onto the field, since the king was in a council meeting and approached the prince, carefully. He did not want to be accidentally stabbed.

“Milord! Milord! Do you have a moment?”, the man asked, loudly, but Arthur did not seem to notice, he was way too occupied with beating up Elyan. Who had made a cheeky comment not too long ago.

“Hey, can I help you?”, Merlin asked, as he noticed the waving man, and got up, dropped tools and sword and walked up towards him.

 “I need to talk to the prince!”, the messenger announced. Glancing with him with anything, but respect. Well, Merlin was a servant.

“Okay, I see”, he nodded and turned around. “Arthur!”, he then exclaimed and immediately – well, almost immediately, since he still had to duck a hit Elyan tried to land – the prince turned. The other knights followed his example, so all attention was on Merlin, who directed it towards the messenger.

“What?”, the price asked.

“He’s got something to say?”, Merlin told him. And Arthur nodded, stepped closer.

“You have a message?”, the blonde asked, recognizing the man’s clothing.

“Yes, Sire! I come from the north, to deliver a message! One of your villages will need help, to deal with a stranger, Sire!”

“A stranger? What’s he doing?”, Arthur asked.

“Well, he’s... He’s stealing stuff. And Lord Gilsworth says he’s dangerous!”

“Is he hurting the people?”

“No, no, he’s actually helping them! But he steals from the Lord. And destroys his property. He even kidnapped the Lord’s daughter, Sire!”

“So, we will return the woman?”

“Err, I don’t know... She seems pretty happy with her now-husband...”, the messenger scratched the back of his head.

“So the stranger kidnapped and married her?”

“No, no! He just kidnapped her. She married the blacksmith’s son....”

“I see... So, you want help with... What exactly?”

“Lord Gilsworth demands help, capturing the stranger. No one could do, so far and he is a danger to the village!”

“Do the villagers agree?”, Arthur asked.

“I... Well... They seem to like him. But your help is still required! He is doing harm to his Lordship’s property!”

“I see. I will talk about this with my father. You are dismissed. Go, get some food, after your long trip.”

“Yes, Sire!”, the man bowed and retreated.

Arthur sighed and turned towards his men and Merlin. Was silent for a moment, then spoke again.

“What do you think?”, he asked. Often, he valued the opinion of his most trusted knights.

“Sounds like a noble criminal. I like that guy...”, Gwaine shrugged.

“He IS causing trouble, now, isn’t he?”, Leon mumbled.

“I’d like to get to know him. Isn’t Gilsworth an ass anyway?”, Elyan wanted to know.

“We haven’t been on a real patrol in months, Sire...”, Percival added.

“You want to go. Nothing can stop you anyways. Do I need to ready the horses now, or can we at least wait until tomorrow, so we can get proper supplies and all?”, Merlin sighed and rolled his eyes demonstratively.

“We’ll ride out tomorrow. I still need to convince my father to let me go and check. Training’s over for now, men! Get some rest and prepare what you will need. If things go as planned, I’ll meet you by the stables tomorrow, after sunrise. You’ll come, too, Merlin!”, the prince decided.

“Like you’d ever leave him here, princess!”, Gwaine laughed.

“Hey!”, the sorcerer complained.

“He’s right! Merlin’s our most valuable mascot!”, Elyan agreed. They both liked Merlin, though they knew that he was not good with weapons. Even supplying basic things during their trips was hardly a talent he possessed. He carried some of Arthur’s things, that were not too heavy and cooked a basic meal, but it was not like they needed a servant like him around. But he was good company. Easy to talk to and good to have fun with.

All the knights actually liked Merlin. So maybe calling him their mascot was not too far off. They liked him around, because he was Merlin, not because he was a competent servant.

“Shut it! I’m no mascot!”, Merlin complained with a smile and shook his head.

“You’re good company!”, Percival told him.

“Indeed. Such a shame, the princess keeps you all by himself”, Gwaine grinned and wrapped his arm around the sorcerer’s shoulders. “You’re very welcome with us, when he’s not behaving. Right, guys?”, he then winked.

“Gwaine?!”, Arthur asked with a glare.

And Merlin smelled it first. There was someone getting angry. And probably a little jealous, too. Okay, maybe very jealous.

“Arthur, didn’t you want to talk to the king?”, he asked, before everyone else would catch up. Considering the way Gwaine let go of him very sudden, at least one knight had noticed, something was off...

“I did.”

“You dismissed everyone already, so shall we take off your armour? You’ll hardly want to face the king in full plate, right?”, the servant offered stepping closer to his prince with a small smile, because, hell, how could he not react to him when Arthur was being cute?

“I’m not an idiot, Merlin! What do you take me for? Of course I was going to take it off!”, the prince huffed.

“You don’t want me to answer this!”, Merlin smirked.

And then the knights decided to actually follow their prince’s order and leave. Their squires would help them undress. So sorcerer and royal were left alone on the training grounds.

“C’mon. You can strip me in my chambers. Don’t want to squish myself in the armoury with the others. After, you can clean my stuff”, Arthur explained and lead the way, Merlin followed.

“Why can’t you just look after your things and don’t get them dirty? Then I wouldn’t have to clean them all the time...”, he complained.

“How am I supposed to fight without dirtying my armour, idiot?”

“Dunno, just watch out?”, he shrugged.

“Arthur!”, a voice called after them and both men turned around in unison. Looked at Morgana, who was returning the look.

“What do you want?”, the prince asked, ending up with an elbow in his side, because Merlin was pretty sure, he had told him more than once to be polite with her, not only in court. That Uther might hear, how he mistreated her. Which had lead to Arthur getting in trouble more than once, so far.  “Ouch, I mean, greetings to you, Lady Morgana!”, he corrected himself, shooting Merlin a deadly glare.

“Greetings to you, prince Arthur. However, I was going to ask, whether you need Merlin for the rest of the day...”, she smiled sweetly.

“Yes? Actually I do. What do you want with him?”, the blonde wanted to know.

“He needs to help me with my stitching. It would be great, if you could spare him for just a few hours...”

“I...”

“I’ll help you strip, prepare everything and while you talk to your father about the patrol, I will assist Morgana? Just a short time. I’ll be back with dinner?”, Merlin offered to his alpha. Because, well, he had neglected his appointments with her again. But he had been busy, snuggling and cuddling with his alpha, so he barely had time between his daily tasks and helping out Gaius. So it was not unexpected for Morgana to start looking for him. The old fashioned way, because their attempts at teaching her scrying had not worked out too well so far.

“I said, that I need you..”

“I know, but I’ll squeeze it in, okay? Won’t be gone for long. You can’t take me to your father’s anyway...”

“You won’t do anything.... Indecent with a Lady of the court?”, Arthur wanted to know, raising an eyebrow at Merlin.

“Are you worried, he’ll deflower me or anything?”, Morgana chuckled.

“Not worried ‘bout you, old hag...”, Arthur huffed.

“So it’s him, you’re worried about? Don’t you worry too much, he’s not my type anyway”, she winked with a bright smile. “Oh, and if you call me an old hag one more time, I’ll make sure, you’ll regret it!”

“You...”

“I’ll go, Arthur, it’s fine. C’mon, you wanted to get rid of the armour, didn’t you? Don’t worry, Gwen will watch out, no one gets harmed”, Merlin decided, shared a brief look with his prince and sighed in relief, as the blonde finally nodded.

“I’ll allow it. But only because you’ll be gone for a few days”,  he granted. And then both men left.

Merlin took off his armour in record time and as soon as Arthur was only in his undergarments, he returned around and pulled him into his arms. Rubbed his nose against his neck.

“I hate it...”, the blonde admitted and pressed him close.

“I know. But you can’t just get mad whenever someone touches or wants to spend time with me. I can smell it. Others will as well....”

“I know. I know, Merlin. But I can’t help it...”, he mumbled into his neck.

“Arthur, look at me?”

The prince let go unwillingly, but looked into bright blue eyes. And then Merlin put his hand on his cheek and smiled.

“You’re very charming. But you need to control the alpha. I am yours, okay?”, he assured him, then gently kissed his cheek, while caressing the other with his thumb.  He had no idea, what made him do this! He was probably balancing on every line they had ever established, but he felt like it was necessary. Because this alpha was doing good. And he wanted to show him that he was. Also he liked kissing him. And being kissed by him. Not only on skin, but also kiss his lips, but that would go to far, he thought. Right now it would be too much.

“Merlin...”, the prince sighed and closed his eyes. Smiled.

And they stayed like that for a little while. Or a while longer. But then, at some point, they had to let go. So Merlin dressed his prince in suitable clothes, cleaned his armour with a spell, because otherwise he would get nothing done at all, and ignored the disapproving click of the royal tongue. Then he send his master off to the king and cleaned his chambers, prepared the travel equipment for the upcoming trip and went to the stables, before making his own way over to Morgana’s.

“Enter!”, her voice chimed through the door, as he knocked and he opened, to let himself in.

“You asked for me?”, he smiled and closed the door again. Instantly the lock snapped close. A skill he had taught the sorceress early on, in case she needed to be undisturbed. The art of actually picking locks she had not herself locked, was still a mystery to her. Luckily, otherwise she might have sneaked around the castle way more, than she already did.

“I did. You rarely come to me at all. How am I supposed to practice without you?”, she complained, sitting at her table, arms crossed. In front of her stood a basin filled with clear water.

“I’m sorry. I was just busy the last weeks”, he tried to explain, sitting down opposite of her.

“With Arthur... You promised to pop in regularly, but you barely made it three times after I last complained. He can’t keep you that busy!”, she agued.

“Oh, he can be very demanding...”, Merlin started, but then decided to drop that topic, because he knew too well, how this sounded. And because it might be just a little too true. “So, we were learning how to scry, weren’t we?”, he asked instead. No one needed to know, how demanding his prince could be. How much he craved for Merlin.

“We were. So? Can you show me again, I can’t get a hold of the picture..”, she sighed. “And while you do, tell me about my idiot brother...”

“Morgana!”

“I tell you, he likes you. He definitely does. If only you weren’t that stubborn, you could easily land him...”, the witch smiled.

“Morgana! I don’t want to ‘land’ the prince. He IS the prince! Why would I want a prince?”, Merlin talked back.

In a corner of the room, Gwen was stitching together some kind of fabric, maybe a tissue, but she was very quiet and let both magic users argue in peace, only stepping in, if they overdid it. But that was yet to happen. She knew the quarrel between them. Knew how convinced her Lady was, that Merlin loved Arthur and he loved him back, but that they were just stupid, while Merlin tried everything to deny that. Tell her, Arthur was just his prince and no one he could ever be with. That she was being irrational.

“You do. You just can’t tell him!”, Morgana teased.

“I don’t! Really! This would never work out! He’d rather be allowed to marry you, than announce that he liked me in front of the court”, Merlin explained. Shaking his head.

“I’m his sister! His actual sister!”

“Yes, and how many people actually know about that? Also Uther refuses to cross your name from the list of marriage prospects. Since you’re an omega. And of high status. Arthur hates the idea, by the way. He complained all evening!”, he told her.

“All evening?”, she asked, eyebrow raised.

“Morgana? If you must know, he complained until I left. To spend the night in my own room. Like every night. Almost every night. Well, I mean, I’m here, so we can do the scrying thing, not to gossip about Arthur. If you don’t want to practice, I can just as well leave. He wants me back by dinnertime anyway!”, he redirected the conversation. Because that was what he was here for! If he wanted someone to tell him how much he wanted Arthur, he would just listen to his omega brain.

“No, okay, fine! For now. So? Show me again!”, she rolled her eyes, but then focused on the water and the sorcerer’s hands.

He nodded.

“Father agreed. We’ll ride at sunrise!”, Arthur greeted him, as he entered with a tray of food.

“Great. I already told the groom. He’ll have the horses ready”, Merlin replied and placed the tray on the table. Then he sat down, waiting for Arthur, because it had become a ritual now that they ate together. Often in bed, but mostly at the table.

“You’re not even complaining about having to come, too...”

“Because you’ll take me anyway. Also, I can hardly protect you from the citadel, while you roam around in the forests”, he told his prince. Shrugged.

“I should be the one protecting you!”, Arthur replied and started eating. Allowing him to dig in as well.

“You should protect Camelot. And I protect you. That’s how things go.”

“But I want to protect you!”

“You have a whole kingdom to protect. I know you want to make sure, I’m save, but you can’t stop caring for Camelot. I can watch my own back!”

“I know. I mean, I think I know. But I still want you save. I just also want you with me, that’s why you’ll come. Otherwise I’d keep you here...”

“Where any other alpha could decide to want to get to know me better?”, Merlin teased.

“Don’t! Merlin, I hate that thought, so please... Don’t!”, the prince grumbled.

And Merlin shook his head, stood up and walked over. Stood behind his chair and hugged him from behind. Because he could. Because he wanted to. He wanted to sooth his alpha, assure him. Show him, that this was not a risk, a danger at all.

“I’ll be where you are. I’ll be with you. Watching your back, no matter where you go... My prince...”, he whispered into his ear.

“Merlin....”, the blonde sighed. Closed his eyes and leaned back. Into the touch.

The dark-haired sighed.

“I want to kiss you...”, the prince mumbled after a while. “Would that be... Okay?”, he then asked. Almost shyly. A very non-Arthur like behaviour.

“I... Wouldn’t mind... I think...”, was Merlin’s answer, directly into his ear. And the omega placed a kiss into it.

Arthur’s body reacted, before his mind even had the chance to catch up. He pushed away the table – which was a heavy table – stood up and turned around, all while Merlin’s arms were still around him. He pressed his lips onto his slightly opened ones. And waited. Wanted. Enjoyed the contact. And after a moment of shock, the sorcerer reciprocated. Leaned in to the kiss and closed his eyes. Sighed.

And Arthur was a very happy man. A very happy alpha. Because he was able to kiss his omega. And the omega kissed him back. Gently. Their lips moved against each other, parted and got together again and again and he had no idea what this was, but he never wanted it to stop.

He gently stroked Merlin’s neck with his fingers and got to listen to a quiet moan in return. Fuck, this was heaven. He never wanted to stop! Wanted to kiss him all night long. Forever.  Merlin felt wonderful, tasted amazing and smelled breath-taking. And he was not even close to his heat.

Fuck, he never wanted anything else. Anyone else. Fuck Uther’s plans. Fuck marriage. He just wanted Merlin! His alpha wanted him. This omega. And only him! He did not care, he was male, or a servant or that he possessed magic. Nothing mattered. What mattered was that Merlin was here. With him. Wanted him back. Fuck he would die, if he could not have him any longer! But that was a problem for future-Arthur. He would deal with the aftermath. But right now he just wanted. He wanted Merlin. As long as he could.

He feared the day, Merlin would be able to take his suppressants again. When Merlin would not be affected by his pheromones anymore. When he would not be able to take in his sweet omega scent. But they still had time. Seven, maybe eight more months to be together like this. To be close. To hold each other.

“Can I take you to bed?”, he asked between sweet kisses, pressing the omega against him.

“Just... A little...”, Merlin replied breathlessly. “Need to... Go back...”

Arthur nodded. Clumsily navigated them towards the mattress and let himself fall onto it, pulling Merlin with him, so he lay on top of him. And kissed his lips again.

“Can’t you stay?”, he mumbled. But he knew that this was not wise. That Merlin could not. Would not. He had not spent the night in his room since the incident. The pile of blankets he had rested on before, were cleaned, but stored away, unused.

“Arthur? I need to prepare for the trip!”, the dark-haired explained. Kissed him again.

“I know, I know. But I want you here...”, the prince pouted and kissed down his jaw, his neck.

“I want to stay. But you know that this is a bad idea...”, Merlin told him with a sigh. And turned his head, to give him more space.

“I know. I know that, Merlin. But I want....”, Arthur told him, nibbled at his throat. And started feeling a little dizzy from the pheromones he was inhaling. Oh fuck, they did so much to him. Merlin did!

“I want, too, but you know that we shouldn’t... Oh, fuuuuck!”, the sorcerer moaned, as he bit down, sunk his teeth into his flesh. Not hard enough to bruise, to mark, but it made Merlin shudder all over.

“Mer….lin…”, Arthur growled in a low voice, licking over his skin. Next to his scent glands. And the pheromones were driving him mad. This was good. So very good. It felt good and save and so very, very arousing.

“Art….Thur…”, the sorcerer panted, sinking his fingernails into the prince’s shoulders, because he needed the halt. He needed to hold onto something. Because he was very sure, he felt like he was floating in the air. Which was a very pleasant feeling. One he wanted more of. Which was dangerous. He knew, but why not give in, just for a little bit? Just some more, some enjoying, some dwelling in the feeling? It could not hurt. Quite the opposite. The absence of the feeling caused restlessness inside of him. As long as he was with Arthur, things were fine. So very fine.

“Kiss you some more?”, the prince mumbled, before he was kissing his lips again. And Merlin was returning the sweet kisses, the touching of lips, moving against each other.

“I… Need to… Go…”, the dark-haired tried to protest, but did not try to sit up. Or anything to prevent the gentle attack. He was holding on to him, instead of pushing him away, because: how could he, when it felt that good? When he was this happy. He had never felt this good before in this whole life. Which was… Worrying. But he did not have the capacity to worry right now. So he did not. Just kissed Arthur some more. Felt his lips. But did not dare to touch them with his tongue. To intensify the game they were playing.

Chapter Text

“You alright, Merlin? You’re so quiet?”, Gwaine asked two hours into their journey, riding next to him. They had indeed started at sunrise. Arthur had been decent enough to get himself dressed, because Merlin had been… Well, he had been so very tired, he nearly overslept. Because he had stayed with the prince way too long, had endured a scolding by a very tired Gaius and lay awake way too long, dwelling in the rush of pheromones. And had almost overslept, just grabbed his things, he had prepared the day before and stumbled to the stables.

“Hm? Yes, ‘m fine, just a little tired…”, the servant yawned, still half asleep on his horse. The back and forth movement did not help at all.

“Long night?”, the knight grinned. Suggestively.

“Probably not longer than yours….”

“That’s true. I did have some fun, now that Perce is through with his rut…”

“I don’t think, I want to know the details of THIS…”, the sorcerer mumbled, definitely not rolling his eyes. He was maybe just a little curious, but he knew too well, that he actually did not want to know an details. He already knew enough about Gwaine and his… Flings. Since he shared those things freely with everyone who asked. And did not ask.

“You’re missing out on something, sweetheart”, Gwaine winked. He seemed in a very good mood.

“I can live with that, Gwaine…”, Merlin informed him, suppressing another yawn.

“What are we missing out on, Gwaine?”, Arthur wanted to know, letting his horse fall behind, between servant and knight. Now Leon and Elyan were leading the party, Percival behind them and the other three at the end.

“Oh, princess, on a lot of things!”, the knight winked with a bright grin.

“Care to elaborate?”

“Yes, yes of course. I’m talking about the joys of the flesh, Milord. About how to spend the night with someone!”

“I see…”

“Merlin here is so sleepy, while I was the one who had the fun. Or are you keeping something from us, Merlin?”, Gwaine implied.

“What should I keep from you? If there was any gossip, you’d be the first to know”, the sorcerer yawned.

“Maybe you’re so good at keeping this, no one knows, yet? What do you think, princess? Does Merlin have a secret lover?”

“No!”, prince and servant replied in unison. Then Arthur cleared his throat.

“Of course he doesn’t. He’s Merlin!”, he added.

“You think?” There it was again. Gwaine’s suggestive eyebrow. He was somehow wiggling with it in an indescribable manner.

“Of course! I’d know! I’m his a-, master, yes master. He’s my servant, so I’d know, of course! Right, Merlin?”, the prince asked, turning to his manservant.

“Yes! Definitely! I barely have time to take care of the tasks Gaius gives me. With you I hardly have any free time at all!”, Merlin confirmed.

“I see…”, Gwaine smirked.

“What are you three chatting about?”, Percival asked, turning towards them.

“Gwaine’s….”, the servant started to complain.

“Being Gwaine again, hm?”, Percival huffed and fell back, next to the knight with the curly hair.

“You could say so…”, Arthur said. And the short haired knight rolled his eyes.

“Be good!”, he then reminded his friend and with a head gesture he indicated for him to follow, so they were riding next to each other. Talking about, what neither prince, nor servant could understand.

“So… You look tired?”, Arthur repeated what Gwaine already had noted.

“Hmm…”

“Did I keep you for too long?”, he asked in a low voice only Merlin could hear.

“Gaius gave me a piece of mind, after I got into his quarters… And then I overslept…”

“So you weren’t cross with me?”

“Because I didn’t wake you? No, of course not, I just slept too long, almost forgot all my stuff and barely made it to the stables on time…”

“That’s good… I mean not the being late stuff, but…”

“I know…. No, I… It was nice…”, Merlin mumbled, trying – and failing – not to blush. He decided to concentrate on the ground before his horse.

“It was…”, Arthur agreed. And they continued to ride silently. While Merlin tried not to fall asleep. But smelling the alpha’s pheromones, he felt comfortable.

They rode until the sun began to set. Then they decided to rest on a clearing. Merlin prepared a fire, while Leon and Gwaine collected some firewood. Percival unloaded what they would need for the night.

Then the servant started cooking dinner, just a simple porridge and dried meat, but they gathered around the fire and ate, as night fell.

“Next time, we’ll bring one of the kitchen maids!”, Gwaine exclaimed, after he finished his second serving.

“No, we won’t take a personal bedwarmer for you!”, Leon disagreed.

“But this tastes awful!”

“Feel free to cook tomorrow, Gwaine!”, Merlin pouted, sitting next to Arthur, leaning against him, maybe just a little. Because he was tired. And Arthur was comfortable, even in full plate. He had put it on him, right before they rode out, still half asleep, but muscle memory had done it for him.

“No! That’s why I want someone competent to do it!”, the knight complained.

“Get competent then, Gwaine. He’s Arthur’s manservant, not part of the kitchen staff”, Percival scolded him.

“That’s why I wanted to bring the kitchen staff!”, Gwaine said.

“No! You won’t get any special treatment. Deal with the food we have! Also this is a men’s trip! So you won’t bring a woman!”, Leon told him.

“I wouldn’t mind a man! Just someone who can actually cook!”

“I’ll cook tomorrow…”, Elyan decided, rolling his eyes. “So shut up and eat! Or are you done?”

“Nah, I’m done. So? What are we gonna do now, on this very manly men’s trip?”, Gwaine wanted to know.

“What about some stories? Does anyone know a good one?”, Leon suggested.

“Like some horror story? With ghosts? I’m in! I know dozens!”, Elyan grinned, suddenly all enthusiastic.

“I know some old legends from my home village…”, Percival agreed.

“I have experienced so many things in all my years as a knight…”, Leon said, sounding a little too much like Gaius for Merlin to not laugh. “What?!”

“Nothing, just… You sound so old, Leon…”, the sorcerer explained.

“Experienced. The term is experienced. So? Do you have any story to tell, Merlin?”

“Maybe… I know some tales from Ealdor…”, Merlin said, suppressing a yawn, it had really been a long day, but he could not retire yet. He needed to clean up later. Probably…

“So, Gwaine, you were bragging about your story the loudest. Why don’t you start?”, Arthur suggested, throwing a branch into the fire with his free hand. He did not want to use the other, because Merlin was practically leaning against his shoulder.

“Why not? So, have you ever heard the legend of the banshee?”, Gwaine asked into the round, expectantly.

Since no one answered, Gwaine started telling a story he himself heard long ago. About a young boy who heard a beautiful song in the woods, right before his mother died, and years later again, the night his sister suddenly passed. He told the knights about the woman he then encountered years and years later, who did not speak and whom he married. And when he lay on his deathbed, she opened her mouth and sang for him, and then he understood, what she had been. The banshee of his family, mourning his death.

After he finished, they all were silent for a moment, then Percival took the word. Told a story about a hunt in the woods. A sly fox that no one could catch, no matter how hard they tried. How the whole village had been convinced, it must be a shifter or any other kind of magical being, until one day a young boy finally managed to catch it and made it his pet. It was all in all a wholesome story.

While he talked, Arthur felt the pressure against his shoulder increase. Merlin was falling asleep, leaning in to him. And when Percival finished, he was asleep, head resting on his shoulder. Arthur had wrapped his arm around him at some point to prevent him from slipping away, but no one seemed to notice, or at least did not pay it any mind.

The next one to tell a story was Leon, who did not surprise anyone by telling about one of his battles he had fought beside king Uther, when he was still almost a boy. How the king had impressed him and how he had almost been killed by the enemy, only saved by one more experienced knight, who in the end gave his life for him. It had not been a long story, but everyone – aside Merlin, who was snoring peacefully – could feel the emotions, the sadness, when the knight died and Leon had barely made it back to Camelot.

And after a short silence in which everyone just breathed and Percival patted Leon’s shoulder, Elyan took the word. He told them a childhood story in which he had stolen some tools and almost got lost in the woods. Gwen had to save him in the end, he admitted and told them how they made their way back home and got sacked for weeks after their small journey.

Everyone laughed. Arthur absent-mindedly stroked Merlin’s upper arm, but he did not react at all. Was fast asleep.

“So, Milord, what story do you have to share?”, Leon then addressed him and then four pairs of eyes were set on them.

“Is he asleep?”, Percival asked.

Arthur nodded. “We should call it a night, I think…”, he then mumbled in a soft voice, to not wake his omega.

“He was tired the whole day, wasn’t he? Wonder what he did all night…”, Gwaine grinned.

“Probably not the same, you did”, Leon commented. Rolled his eyes.

“Hey, I’m wide awake. Definitely not lacking the stamina!”

“So you don’t mind having the first watch?”, Percival grinned.

“If I have to…”, Gwaine sighed dramatically and rolled his eyes.

“You have to. Prece will take over and I will after that. For tomorrow it will be the other three”, Leon decided. “Is that okay, Milord?”

“Yes, sounds fine to me…”, the prince shrugged.

And so everyone but Gwaine crawled into their bedrolls. Arthur carried Merlin over to his and wrapped him up, before he placed his own right behind him, ignoring everyone around him, while the knights did the same. They were very good at minding their own business. At least they could be.

Gwaine watched the fire, while the others would try to sleep.

Merlin snuggled up under the fabric, trying to rub his nose into the blanket, but his subconsciousness did not seem satisfied, since he started moving, turning, searching. So Arthur, still in full plate, because they would keep them on during patrol, in case of a surprise attack, lay behind him and when he looked around and was sure, they were not easily spotted in the light of the fire, he placed a hand on Merlin’s shoulder. Immediately the sorcerer relaxed. Leaned in. Sighed.

And probably snuggled closer. Then turned around. Grumbling something that sounded like disapproval of the plate armour and all the cold hard iron, but Arthur could not help it. They were outside. They could be attacked anytime. He needed to keep his omega save! He needed to be on guard! Even though, someone was on watch. But he was in charge of taking care of Merlin, of his omega. So he only had a light sleep. At least at the beginning.

Because when he woke up in the morning, he could absolutely not recall, how they had ended up they way they were now. Merlin was pressed against him, face buried in the nape of his neck, while Arthur’s lips were pressed against Merlin’s scent glands, hidden by his neckerchief. He inhaled the smell of his omega. And felt calm and save. Merlin was with him. Was close. Something he had missed when waking up, since the incident.

Yes, Merlin had most of the time woken him up, but had not slept beside him. Had not been there all night. So this was different. It felt good. Right. Merlin in his arms was just right! He wanted to stay like this. Forever, preferably.

But he could not. And he knew. Fuck!

He heard the sound of clinking metal. Remembered where he was. Where they were. And that they were not alone. He became aware of his surroundings and raised his head. Opened his eyes. Noticed, that one of his arms was wrapped around his servant. Blinked.

And looked at Leon, poking at the remains of the campfire. He did not look up. Seemed to concentrate on the task.

Carefully he shoved Merlin on his back, getting a small disapproving groan in response. But he was not able to do anything about his omega’s discomfort. Because they were not alone. There were other people. Other alphas.

He pulled away from the still sleeping omega and sat up. Definitely made enough sound for the knight to notice, but Leon still did not look up.

“Morning...”, he then mumbled, stretching his back. Made more noise.

“Good morning, Sire. Good to see, you’re up”, Leon greeted him. And finally actually looked up, while Arthur stood up. A little helplessly, since the armour was heavy and no one helped him up.

“Sun’s up already?”, he asked and looked around. The morning dew on the leaves told him, it was not very late, but it was fully bright already.

“Yes, Sire. But no one else is. Gwaine had been snoring, since he was allowed to sleep. Percival complained when we switched”, Leon told him with a smile.

“No wonder, he switches partners so often. They are annoyed by his snoring”, the prince joked and stumbled over, to his horse. Searched in the saddle bag, until he found a loaf of bread.

“Who’s a panther?”, Elyan asked, still half asleep and blinked. “Urgh...”, he then added and rubbed his eyes. Obviously not happy with the sunlight.

“G’morning, Elyan. Set up the breakfast?”, Leon greeted him and got up as well, to search for some cheese inside his bag.

“Yeah, yeah. Just a sec. Why’s it so bright?!”, the dark tanned knight complained.

“It’s called ‘day’, Elyan. Usually tells you to get up. C’mon!”, Arthur kicked him, just to empathize his point. Not hard at all.

“Yes, Sire, yes....”, the knight grumbled, but let himself get pulled up by his prince.

“Good. Did anything happen during the night?”, said prince wanted to know.

“Dunno, if Gwaine has anything to say, but Percival only told me about a deer paying a short visit. And, well... I didn’t notice anything strange at all. Just the usual, y’know...”, Leon mumbled and sliced the cheese with a knife. Shrugged and concentrated on what he was doing. It needed a lot of concentration. So he could not look at his prince or anyone else.

“I see... Hey, everyone! Get up already! Breakfast!”, Arthur shouted and more or less immediately Percival jolted up and looked around, reaching for his sword, that was not on his belt, but lay safely next to him.

“Huh?”, he made.

“Just five more minutes, sweetie, I’ll be home soon...”, Gwaine mumbled, just turning his back towards the prince.

“Do you have to be that loud early in the morning?”, Merlin complained with a yawn and sat up. Took a moment to get some clues where he was and why Arthur was not next to him. Then realised what was going on and accepted his fate.

“Yes, I have to! You can’t sleep the whole day away. C’mon. Eat some breakfast. Then you can pack up!”, the prince ordered him.

And Merlin bit his tongue, because he wanted to complain that he was obviously feeding him again, but could not do so in public. So he just rolled his eyes in a very demonstrative way, then crawled out of his bedroll and stretched. All – well, apparently a notable amount of – bones in his body rearranged themselves and he felt better instantly. Then he went over to where the others were already eating bread and cheese and some dried meat and did not talk back, as Arthur passed him a big slice of everything.

“Gwaine! Get your ass up!”, Elyan reminded their still sleeping companion and kicked his back, that was well protected by armour, so it did not hurt, just made loud clanking sound.

“Heyyyyyy!”, Gwaine complained but finally got up as well. “That was not nice!”

“Nice was twenty minutes ago, now get up, or you won’t get any breakfast!”, Leon called over to him.

“Yes, yes! Just fuck off, Leon! I’m up!”, Gwaine grumbled and walked over to them. Took the bread out of Percival’s hand and ripped off a piece. Just bit it. And chewed.

“For someone keeping other’s up with your snoring, you’re in quite a bad mood...”, Percival noted.

“You’re snoring, Perce! I never do!”, Gwaine replied, after he had washed down the dry bread with water.

“Liar! Leon! He snored, right?”, the short haired demanded help.

“Well, I heard you trying to fell the whole forest last night, Gwaine...”, Leon shrugged.

“Not true! Merlin, Elyan! Help!”

“I slept. I have no idea, what you did the whole night!”, Elyan told him, starting to pick up his things, because that was faster than waiting for Merlin to be done and start doing his tasks. He was very well capable of taking care of his own things, had done all his life, so he would not demand a servant!

“Same. I don’t even remember going to bed...”, the sorcerer agreed.

“Well, our princess carried you. You fell asleep during storytime!”, Gwaine told him. With a bright grin. “He bedded you...”, he added with a suggestive eye wiggle.

“Gwaine!”, Leon scolded him.

While Merlin blushed, not sure how to answer this. Because, well, it was not true. But the idea was... Appealing. And well, they had, before... Fuck, bad idea! He should not think about this! Especially not in public!

“You can be unnecessarily obscene, Gwaine!”, Arthur told his knight, rolling his eyes, but Merlin noticed the tension in his shoulders and knew, he was holding back. Wanted to touch, to reassure him, but knew, he could not. They both could not. So he just shrugged this whole conversation off, finished the bread that had been forced on him and started packing up his and Arthur’s things.

Then they rode again. And except for some deer, they did not encounter anything or anyone. When they started looking for a good spot, already preparing to set up a camp for the night, they spotted smoke in the distance and continued riding. With nightfall they actually reached a small village, surrounded by wooden palisades.

“Hey, riders! Identify yourselves! Who are you, riding in this late?”, a guard, well, apparently a farmer, someone had given a sword to, wanted to know.

“Don’t you recognise the emblems of the kingdom you live in, the symbols of the prince?”, Arthur asked in a whim of prattishness overcoming him. From horseback he looked down at the not very threatening guy.

“Arthur, you can’t be serious!”, Merlin sighed, climbed from his horse and walked towards the confused man. “Hi, nice to meet you, I’m Merlin. Is this the village of Gildesberg, Lord Gilsworth’s Land and property?”, he then asked, smiling at the man.

“Yes? That’s right, Sir?”

“Great. We’re from Camelot. They’re the knights, you see? We’re here because we got word, your Lord has those issues with a stranger?”, the sorcerer asked in his friendly and oddly charming way, pointing at the men behind him.

“Oh, err, yes. I think. So the Lord asked for your help?”, the farmer slash guard asked.

“Well, yes. You know how things are.... Just gonna look around, make our own impressions, before solving problems that might not even be actual ones”, Merlin explained.

“So... You’re not here to kill the stranger? Or those who might have... Helped?”

“Of course not! Only an idiot would judge, before knowing the actual situation. Right Arthur?!”, he called out to his prince, who did not reply at all. While Gwaine and Elyan definitely suppressed a giggle.

“I see. Then... Okay, come in. Please. I need to ask around for a place for your horses and men, though. You can stay with us, I think. It’s too late to make it all the way to the Lord’s castle. Please , follow me, knights of Camelot, and Merlin”, the man offered, just dropped his sword and lead them inside. They all got off their horses and followed him.

“Hey, Geoff, can you take over for me, we’ve got visitors!”, the farmer then called out to another farmer, who looked at them suspiciously, but then nodded and left for the gate.

The man lead them through an accumulation of houses that could barely be called a village. It was smaller than Ealdor, so no wonder he had never spotted it on one of the maps, Arthur used to study ever so often.

“We do have a small stable here, but I need to ask Margareth, of she has space to spare, and some hay. Then we’ll see, who might have a place to spare... You are not picky about the sleeping arrangements, gentlemen?”

“We just slept in the woods! No complaints from me!”, Gwaine smiled.

“Whatever’s fine, thanks!”, Elyan found his manners.

“Thank you for your kindness!”, Percival nodded.

“Thank you!”, Leon agreed.

They actually had enough space for all six horses. But when some curious people gathered around the stables to take a look at the newcomers, a problem arose, since no one had a place to spare, big enough for six grown up men and their armour.

The old spinstress offered to take in two of them, since her boy was in town for now, if the guests would not mind, helping her out, so Leon and Elyan volunteered.

Margareth, whom the stables belonged to needed a strong hand with taking care of the animals, but offered the attic above the horses in return. Gwaine felt obligated to take on the chance of soft hay to spend the night in and also volunteered Percival, personification of ‘strong hands’, to aide.

Then the blacksmith raised his hand, admitting that since his son was not at home at the moment, he could also take someone in. And so Arthur’s and Merlin’s fate had been sealed. At least for the night.

Then, since it was completely dark by now, they bid each other farewell, wished a good night’s rest, separated and followed their temporary hosts to their destined places.

“So.... You’re the knights of Camelot?”, the blacksmith grunted, as he lead them into his workplace.

“He is. I’m just a servant. Nice to meet you, by the way”, Merlin smiled and looked around curiously. Most tools and gadgets seemed familiar, as far as he could tell in the dim light of a few candles. He knew how Gwen’s former home – now empty and abandoned, since she was sleeping in Morgana’s antechamber – had looked like. Both men knew. For different reasons.

“I see. You’re here to punish the stranger?”, the older an huffed.

“No. We are just going to investigate, to see, if he has even committed anything that can be considered a crime”, Arthur explained.

“But that can wait until tomorrow, of course. We wouldn’t keep you up longer, than necessary, Sir”, Merlin added.

“I see....”, the man made, slowly. Looked at both of them. “Here’s a small room in the back. You can stay there. I’m gonna sleep in the house. If you touch anything in here, I’ll cut off all your fingers and toes, got that?!”, he told them and opened one of the three doors. Behind it actually was a small chamber with a plank bed not at all unsimilar to Merlin’s in Gaius’ quarters. And a stack of hay on the floor. Like it had been prepared for a guest.

“Yes, Sir! Won’t let him touch a thing!”, the dark-haired assured him.

“Good. I’ll get you in the morning!”, the blacksmith grumbled, then turned and left through the third door, that seemed connected to the house where the rest of the family slept.

Arthur looked after him. “That guy’s almost as rude as you...”

“Hardly. He’s just suspicious. I mean, what do you think we are to him?”, the sorcerer asked, entering the small chamber with one of the candles.

“I’m the prince, Merlin.”

“Which he doesn’t know!”

“Why didn’t I tell him? You told all of them, we were knights... Why did you even introduce us?”, Arthur wanted to know, as he followed him inside with the other candle.

Out of habit Merlin locked the door and soundproofed the room. He did not know when exactly this had become an evening routine, but since he did not want word to get out, it seemed reasonable.

“Because now they will talk to us. You’re knights, yes. But they’d rather talk to a knight, than to the prince himself. Most commoners don’t trust actual nobility, Arthur. They seem to keep the stranger safe, so they don’t agree with Gilsworth. Probably they don’t even like him. What do you think, they’d do, if they though the actual prince of Camelot was on his side? Turn around”, the sorcerer explained, while taking off his armour. Which was a task, he had very much practice in. So they could keep up a conversation, while the prince was stripped.

“I don’t expect to be on Gilsworth’s side. Already told them, I’d need to investigate. You need to clean that one tomorrow. So they should know, I want the truth...”

“They don’t trust nobility. Remember the people of Ealdor? You’re the prince. That’s closest to some kind of mythological creature they would ever encounter...”

“Are you suggesting, I’m a fairy?”

“No. Fairies aren’t that simple. But they don’t know, if you’ll trick them. So could you please keep it up?” Merlin sighed and pulled the chainmail over his head.

“Argh! Thant’s rough! So, you want me to disguise?”

“Just don’t tell them, you’re THE Arthur, yet. Leon and Percival got the hint. And the others too, I hope... Just interrogate them properly tomorrow, then see Gilsworth and find out, what’s truly going on, okay?”, he asked, after he pulled his shirt off and threw it onto the floor. Then he stopped, not sure, how to go on. They did not exactly pack Arthur’s nightclothes. Had prepared for more forest floor and less... Well, it was a bed. Not nearly as big, as Arthur’s, but at least the prince could sleep comfortably. And well... They hay on the floor also did not look too hard and cold... With his bedroll it would probably be quite comfortable.

“Fine. I’ll do as you wish. But you owe me...”, the prince replied and picked up his gaze. “What’s wrong?”

“I... You should stay like this. The blankets look warm enough. I’ll put your stuff away, then I’ll prepare my lodging...”, the omega mumbled, looking down.

“Should I? Well, would you mind, if I undressed further?”, Arthur asked, watching him closely. The dark-haired blushed, bit his lower lip.

“I see you naked almost every morning and evening. I definitely should not mind, Arthur”, he sighed, still looking at the floor.

“That’s right. You shouldn’t. Do you?”

“Arthur. This is a stranger’s home. Far away from the safety of your chambers. I don’t think, we should discuss this here. Now...”, he tried to reason.

“You are right. I’ll stay like that. Will you take off something?”, the prince smiled and tilted his head curiously.

“I... I think, I’ll take off the shirt. And maybe the pants. And neckerchief. Of course...”

“Good. Go ahead, then...”

Merlin nodded and took a breath. A nose of alpha pheromones. Of curiosity. Arthur was watching him. He would undress in front of him. Something he had actually never done! Well, when? When he had been in heat, he had been naked all the time and after... There had never been the need to undress.

He shook off the thoughts and pulled off his shirt, then his trousers, so he was standing there in only his undershirt and underpants which looked like he did not wear anything underneath at first look, because the undershirt almost reached his knees. And he could smell exactly what effect that had on the alpha.

“That’s hot...”, Arthur commented, making him blush even further.

“I... I’m not. That’s just your brain, being affected by my pheromones ‘n stuff...”, he replied, very interested in a speck of dust on the floor.

“I see. My brain still thinks, you look stunning...”, the blonde admitted. “You hate it?”

“I don’t. I... I like it. That’s exactly the problem...”

“I see... Would you c’mere?”, Arthur asked, stretching out his arms. Welcoming. And of course Merlin would. Why the fuck would he not? He craved Arthur’s warmth Arthur’s body, Arthur’s smell, everything about Arthur! He was absolutely gone for this stunning, charming, handsome prat of a prince!

“What’re you gonna do?”, he asked, as he rested his head on the blonde’s shoulder and closed his eyes. Strong arms held him and he clumsily put his own hands on Arthur’s hips, because he had nowhere to put them and felt a little useless like that. And, well, he wanted to touch.

“Nothing. Nothing at all. Just hold you. ‘s that fine?”

“Very...”, he sighed and inhaled the strong scent. It smelled like Arthur and alpha and was so very comforting. He hated his nature for being so affected by it and at the same time loved it.

“Can I hold you tonight? Just... In my arms?”

“You did yesterday, didn’t you?”, Merlin mumbled, vaguely remembering the warm, safe feeling that filled him during the night. That he had felt good and astonishingly rested in the morning. And that he should not feel that way, but, well... Who would care in here? Who would see? The knights obviously had not noticed. Or minded. At least no one had reacted in any way. Or even commented. Not even Gwaine, who could not hold back a sassy remark, when someone even accidentally got close to anyone. So...

“You were restless in your sleep, as soon as I let go...”

“So you sacrificed your dignity and cuddled?”, he tried for a cheeky remark.

“Wouldn’t call it that... I liked it...”, Arthur admitted and planted a soft kiss on his neck.

“And now you want some more?”, Merlin whispered, suppressing a shudder.

“Wouldn’t mind. Will you sleep with me tonight?”, the prince asked in a low voice and actually elicited a small moan from his lips.

“Fuck, Arthur! You’re the death of me...”, he managed to reply after a moment of getting himself together. “I’ll... I’ll sleep in your bed. That’s all, okay? Not here...”

The blonde nodded. Tensed a little and he knew the reason just too well, because Merlin himself could not help but imagine for just a second what he actually had implied.

And then they went to bed. And since the bed was so very small, the got very close and in the end ended up entangled so very close to each other and though it was not comfortable, the sorcerer could swear, he had never slept this well.

He awoke with the sun, snuggling to Arthur, who was still holding him. It was quiet and peaceful. Just some bird sang outside the very small window. And then, minutes later the cry of a rooster ended every idea of peace, very harshly.

Arthur’s head shot up and his whole body tensed.

“What!”, he made, still a little sleepy. And he looked beautiful, hair dishevelled, still a little confused.

“Time to rise and shine, I guess?”, the dark-haired asked with a gentle smile. Could not resist and stroked through his hair.

“I see... Can we just stay like this? Just a bit?”, Arthur asked and pressed him closer. And a part of him pressed against Merlin’s thigh in an unmistakable way. Which he seemed to notice immediately, because he just froze. Whole body tensing, like that certain part.

“We have to get up, Arthur. But if you like, you can stay in bed just a minute longer, while I gather our things?”, the servant suggested, just playing it over, like nothing happened, because this was just a very natural reaction. Had to be, because he himself was showing exactly the same reaction. Which his prince just had to notice. But maybe he was too embarrassed about himself?

“Hm. Okay. Gonna stay in bed then...”, the prince suggested, hesitantly letting go of him, very carefully, to make sure this very firm part of his body would not touch anything.

“You’ll have to get up soon, so don’t fall asleep again!”, Merlin teased, placed a peck on his cheek and disentangled himself, to get up.

Arthur watched him, like his eyes were drawn by him and as the sorcerer pulled down his undershirt, he was certain, that the blonde had seen, that he himself was not any better off. But they did not talk about it. So Merlin just got dressed and then prepared things for his prince, which lead to his problem going down in the business of the morning. He was actually relieved, that the same had happened to Arthur, because when he dressed him, there was nothing hard he had to try to hide any more.

The moment he was done, dressing his prince and started wondering, whether he should put him back into his armour, a fist bumped against the door.

“Hey, you two! Still alive?! Time to wake up! You can have breakfast with us!”, the harsh voice of the blacksmith greeted them.

And Merlin remembered, what he had done to the small chamber. So he hurriedly undid both his spells. “Yes! We’ll be there in a moment!”, he replied, eyes still shimmering golden.

Arthur could not help, but find it beautiful. So he walked closer, put a hand on Merlin’s cheek and made him look at him, to see the last hints fading.

“Beautiful...”, he mumbled with a smile and brushed his lips with his. Ever so slightly. It was barely a touch. Then he let go. Sighed.

“They’re waiting...”, Merlin said, wanting this to continue, but of course they could not.

So they both went through the door, through the workplace and the open door into the main house, where the blacksmith, his wife and the three children were sitting at the table already.

The woman pointed at a bench and they both sat down, next to each other. And after a moment of awkward silence, they started talking and eating.

And Arthur and Merlin learned that the blacksmith’s oldest son had turned out to be an alpha, which was very surprising, because not many alphas were living in the village. But it had not have any effect on their daily life’s, until he had gotten friendly with the Lord’s daughter. He was learning his father’s profession, planning to take over one day, so he often visited the Lord’s small castle to deliver things, to repair things and to check on the horseshoes. Meanwhile he had gotten close with her, which her father had not liked. Had decided to marry away his omega daughter to some other court. Wanted to send her away about two weeks ago. But then the stranger had arrived. Had been friendly with most of the villagers, had helped a great amount on the fields, repairing the roof of a house and even with the livestock. He had gone to the castle to steal things, they all had known, but he had been nothing but kind to them. He had even refused to sleep in the village, had just requested some food.

And as he learned about the situation – actually from Leonora herself – he had just snatched her away, brought her to Ian and told them to leave. To be happy together, because they were destined for each other. That they had to be happy, in his place.

They had eloped about a week ago and the Lord had been furious. Had sent his men to search the village and the woods, but they had gotten beaten up. So he had sent for the knights of Camelot or any other form of help from the citadel.

Later that day, Leon and Percival were able to confirm this. Could add some more events to the list, so the pieces formed a picture. Probably not the picture Lord Gilsworth would like, but it was a picture nonetheless.

“So, we’ll check Gilsworth’s story now?”, Elyan asked when they were all sitting together in the afternoon. They all had done some tasks to help the people in return for their kindness. And were now determining how to proceed.

“Message of our arrival must have reached him by now...”, Arthur assumed.

“So we might as well get back into chainmail, to investigate further?”, Leon agreed.

“Yes, I see. But can’t we stay another night? There’s someone I might want to get to know a little better...”, Gwaine suggested and Percival, who sat next to him, turned his head and looked at him. Like a strict parent, scolding their child.

“No.”, he just said. With a fully audible full stop.

“Hey, what’s that?”, Elyan, who was sitting next to the giant noted and stared at his now bare neck. Well, there was no armour covering it, since the other knights had undressed each other just Ike Merlin had done with Arthur, when going to sleep in safe environment.

“Huh?”, the big night made and turned his attention to Elyan.

“Your neck. You got something there”, the dark tanned man told him, pointing at the spot on his own neck, because Percival had placed a hand on whatever there was to see.

Did he blush?

“Elyan, I assume, that this is none of our business. It is a hickey, by the way”, Leon told him, not completely hiding a smile. And yes, Percival definitely did blush. Pressed the hand on his neck and just stared at some place behind Gwaine.

“Will you stop teasing the boy?”, Gwaine chuckled and shook his head. “Probably a leftover from his rut, right Perce?”, he then added.

“...Don’t wanna talk about it...”, was the reply.

Which was no wonder, since even though that was a well known thing in Camelot – given the amount of alphas – and not exactly a secret thing no one was supposed to learn about, usually alphas kept their ruts private. Just like the omegas did with their heats. They usually just retired for a few days – no questions asked – to take care of things however necessary. And then just returned to their jobs. But well, this was usually not discussed openly. Because most alphas were a little special about their condition.

Even when Arthur was in his rut, that was nothing everyone would just know about – well, yes through the grapevine or for other alphas and omegas through the obvious scent, but not officially – so he was just gone from public for a few days.

So, yes, Percival had all the right to blush, when they were openly discussing how he had spent his last rut. Merlin could relate. He did not want anyone to know about his heat either... Could not! For different reasons, but still...

“Just drop it. As long as no one accidentally conceived, it’s none of our business... Let’s get ready!”, the prince then decided and got up, to end that topic. Because, well, a rut was of no one’s concern! And neither was, what anyone did... Because the things people would do, could often be embarrassing. Most alphas relied on Gaius’ tinctures and pills to get through it faster, but they were not able to suppress it completely, like omegas could with their heat cycle. So they just had to push through, sleep a lot and hopefully they had someone to help them through the time.

“Yes, Milord!”, Leon agreed and also got up. The others followed. They packed all their things and then helped each other into their armour, because this was no task to be done alone. Probably Gwaine had seen the full extent of traces left on Percival’s body, but even he knew not to talk about this. Not to embarrass the other alpha.

He could be a good man, Merlin found, if he wasn’t sleeping around like he did, he might even be a good mate – for someone who obviously was not him! – but since Gwaine was Gwaine, he probably would never have a steady relationship. Okay, he did not even know, whether that was Gwaine’s goal at all. Maybe Gwaine was happy like that? Not everyone was actually looking for their one true mate or a mate at all.

Maybe Merlin was still a little delusional from the childhood stories his mother used to tell him. About the one and true mate one could bond with for life. How many people searched for them their whole life. How things were so much more, so intense with them...

“Merlin? Stop dozing off! Get the horses!”, Arthur interrupted his thoughts, when they were done.

“Oh, yes! Sorry!”, the sorcerer mumbled and complied.

They rode for less than an hour, before they reached the castle – actually rather a manor – of Gilsworth’s and were lead inside. While a young man exchanged a few words with Merlin and then helped him lead the horses away, the actual Lord Gilsworth made an appearance to greet his guests.

“Oh, how wonderful! My word was received and the king himself send his men!”, he exclaimed hurrying down the stairs.

“Lord Gilsworth, it’s an honour to meet you!”, Arthur shouted back and bowed just slightly, enough to show respect, but not leaving any doubt of who was of higher status.

“Please, come in, come in, be my guests! Have a proper meal, before you ride out again!”, the Lord offered.

And not even half an hour later, after a tour through the building, five knights and Merlin were lead into a banquet hall. While servants brought out the meal, Arthur – as the leader of the knights – was placed to Gilsworth’s right, at the place of honour. The Lord’s son and wife sat on his left. Their two other daughters – still only teenagers – sat with some higher ups, as it seemed.

Merlin naturally took the place behind Arthur – between prince and Sir Leon – and filled his goblet, whenever necessary. But also tended to the other knights every now and then, since he did not want to raise any suspicions, why the leader of the knights would bring his personal servant.

The prince conversed with the Lord and learned about the stranger that caused nothing but harm to him and kidnapped his precious omega daughter who he had wanted to introduce to the prince of Camelot himself – and as a backup plan to some great-grandcousin in the east – right before they wanted to leave! How he had stolen food and some chicken from him and even tried to burn the castle – for which he did not have any proof, but he was convinced.

And then after telling the whole, very exhausting story, Lord Gilsworth finally turned to his son, who reminded him of his composure. Arthur also took that advice and took a deep breath. Gilsworth and his son were alphas. The Lord’s wife was a beta, just like the daughters, as far as he could tell, and there was also minimum an omega in the room. But he could not make out the source of the faint smell. Actually did not care enough to investigate, because it did not seem appealing at all. It could not compare to the scent he had gotten used to. To the scent of his omega, who was standing beside him at the moment. Just being there, smelling like pine and wood and Merlin. Without even doing anything.

“Are you hungry?”, he suddenly asked, turning towards his servant. Looked at him.

And Merlin blinked at him. Confused. “Why?”

“You haven’t eaten yet. Here, eat a little”, he offered, grabbing a piece of chicken between his fingers, holding it towards him.

“You can’t be serious!”, the servant hissed, but actually his stomach grumbled, so he just went for rolling his eyes and actually opened his mouth, snatching the bit from his fingers, hoping no one would notice. Which was quite delusional, because Leon was sitting next to Arthur and could under no circumstance not have seen.

But the knight was very deep into conversation with Elyan, who also did not take his eyes away from whatever he was looking at – which was by no means Merlin or the prince. They seemed to ignore, what was happening. Gwaine was chatting – well, flirting – with one io the servants, who had already asked the sorcerer a few questions about the knight, in passing. And Percival concentrated on his food.

“Sire, what are you going to do about the bandit, now?”, Lord Gilsworth then asked Arthur, who was quite busy, feeding Merlin some more treats from his plate.

“Well, we’ll need to catch him. Obviously. And inquire him. You said, it had to be an alpha?”, the blonde stated, without turning towards the Lord.

“Yes, yes, that’s correct!”

“Okay, do you know anything else about him?”

“He’s strong. He defeated twelve of my men all alone, just with his sword. And he’s sneaky! He broke in a few times without anyone noticing!”, Gilsworth explained not too happy with the lack of attention while doing so. But well, Arthur was just fighting a silent stare battle with his servant, that involved the very big question, whether he should eat out of his hand or just fetch the piece of fruit and eat it without any help. This was a very important silent conversation he was having here!

“So?”, Sir Leon interjected, still wilfully ignoring what was happening right next to him and leaned across the table to look at Gilsworth directly. “Can you probably describe his looks? ‘male alpha that’s good with swords’ could apply to any of us, and we most certainly did not steal any of your goods”, he wanted to know.

“Of course not! Never! Well, he was about your age, Gillian, help me, what did that criminal look like?”, Lord Gilsworth explained and turned to his son.

“He’s hot. Handsome! Yes, handsome. Black hair, tanned, like he spends a lot of time outside. He’s a little... Well, he was dirty. I think, he lives in the woods, maybe? Dunno, haven’t asked him”, the son just shrugged.

“Handsome sword fighter? Maybe we should recruit him? Would totally match with us”, Gwaine suggested with his very Gwaine-like eyebrow wiggle and turned to the servant girl, he had been chatting with all evening. “Did you see the guy? Was he really that hot?”

She just nodded an blushed.

“Ideal. Arthur, we’ll take him! He must be a catch!”

“We don’t pick up strays, Gwaine!”, Arthur sighed. “If we just picked up every random guy, that jumps in our way and possesses basic sword skills, the army of Camelot would be way too expensive to supply.”

“But that guy sounds interesting!”

“No, Gwaine. We still need to see, that kind of person that is. Maybe he will end up in the dungeons?”

“Or I’ll behead him?”, Lord Gilsworth asked hopefully.

“No, I don’t think so. This is a matter of Camelot now, so whatever crime that man will be accused of, he will be judged at the citadel”, Arthur just casually informed him.

“But I’m the one he harmed! Shouldn’t I be the one to punish him?”

“You weren’t able to catch him yourself, Milord. So now it’s our turn. We’ll ride out into the woods tomorrow at daybreak and see, if we can find him”, he smiled. In a very diplomatic way, that meant something similar to ‘you fucked it up, now get out of the way’. And Gilsworth could do nothing but nod.

That night they slept in a quite big guest room. All together, since in the small building there were not enough separate guests rooms. Arthur was still undercover, so he did not demand a room for himself – and his servant – after a short exchange with Merlin and Leon who both agreed, that there was no reason to let Gilsworth know. Leon even brought up, that the Lord might try to marry him off to one of the remaining daughters, if he knew, which was a pretty great argument, so Arthur did not protest.

“Somehow the hayloft had been more comfortable...”, Gwaine complained, as he sat on the makeshift bed. They had helped each other out of their plate armour – and, well, Merlin had helped Arthur, like always – and prepared to go to sleep now.

“When you start telling about your latest tumbles in the hay, I’m gonna punch you! I swear!”, Elyan shouted over to him.

“Elyan! No one wants to know, but you should not inflict violence on him!”, Percival sighed and rolled his eyes.

“Fine. You’re better at controlling him, anyways!”, the dark tanned knight admitted, slumping onto the bed. He suppressed a sound, as he noticed how hard exactly the so called mattress was. The forest floor had been more comfortable. Gwaine was right. Which he would not admit, of course.

“You can’t control THAT!”, Percival replied, pointing at Gwaine, who was sleeping closest to him.

They had a total of six beds in the room. Well, calling them beds. Two of them were directly beside each other, only about half a metre apart, the others had just been placed across the small hall. They suspected, Gilsworth had sacrificed his office to let them sleep there.

The knights had, when deciding who would take which bed, all decidedly avoided the two beds in the niche of the room, following some kind of unspoken rule, so they had ended up in their current constellation.

Gwaine slept in the bed furthest away from the door, Leon right next to said door. To protect the virtue of the maids of the castle, he has stated. Percival had taken the bed more or less next to Gwaine, because he was the one who could ignore his snoring the best. And Elyan had just taken the last available bed. Which was not in the niche. Not too close.

“Hey, I have feelings!”, Gwaine complained and crossed the arms in front of his chest.

“Sometimes...”, Percival huffed, amused.

“Stop arguing. We’ll sleep now!”, Arthur decided. He and Merlin were now the only ones still standing in the room. Everyone else was already lying or at least sitting in or on their beds. “No, Merlin. Take the other!”, he added, as the servant sat down on the bed facing the room to unlace his shoes.

Merlin looked up at him. Not quite understanding.

“Take the bed by the wall”, Arthur ordered him. “And take off my boots first. You’re my manservant after all!”

“As you wish, your Highness...”, the sorcerer muttered, rolled his eyes and stood up. Pointed at the bed. “So would you please sit down, Milord?”, he snorted, full of sarcasm and every title sounded surprisingly similar to an insult.

“Merlin?”, Arthur grumbled in a low, almost dangerous voice, that made the other alphas pause, almost flinch for a second.

“Yes, Milord?”, the omega replied sweetly, smiling at him. Of course he heard the threatening tone, smelled the alpha pheromones, but he would not just submit to him! He had endured this for months, years, he would not suddenly back down and be obedient, just because Arthur smelled a little more endearing now.

“Watch your mouth!”, the prince warned him, but sat on the bad excuse for a mattress, nonetheless.

Merlin kneeled down in front of him and looked up. Straight into his eyes. His own gleaming with spite, showing clearly that he had no intention of bowing his head. Well, maybe bare his neck, if Arthur asked nicely, but he would definitely not just be a good servant! Especially not after he had been humiliated in form of everyone in the hall! Forced to eat from his fingers, like some, some... He did not even have words for this!

“Just take them off...”, Arthur sighed, trying to play this off, but he could hardly suppress a predator’s smile.

“As you wish...”, he hissed, holding his gaze, while unlacing the boots. Muscle memory. He did not need to watch, what he was doing.

And Arthur’s eyes gave away, what he wished. What he actually wished for. Wanted to do. But they both knew, this was out of the question. They knew, they could not come close. Not in the way they had done so regularly until now. They could not touch.

Well, not more than was appropriate between a servant and his master. So after taking off his boots, Merlin’s hands lingered on his lower leg just a little to long. Still holding each other’s gaze, the sorcerer let his finger slide up the bare skin. Licked his lower lip and let the warm feeling linger. The tickling in the tips of his fingers. Probably his magic making itself known. But it did not do anything more, so he allowed it. Until he pulled back, straightened his clothes and huffed.

“You’ll do the rest alone, won’t you? Or do you need me to tuck you in?”, he wanted to know, as cheeky as ever, grateful his shirt was long enough to cover his immediate reaction to their little game.

The way Arthur snorted and pulled the blanket over him confirmed, that he was the same. Without another word, he lay down and Merlin just shrugged. He went to his own bed, the one in the niche, against the wall, right behind the alpha, and got under the blanket.

Leon and Percival both extinguished their candles and the room went dark. No one spoke a word. Because there was a silent agreement.

Chapter Text

In the morning they had a fast breakfast, then packed their things and readied the horses. After they bid their farewell, one of the guards stopped them, as they rode through the gate. He seemed a little nervous and wanted to know, what exactly they planned to do with the stranger.

Arthur ensured him, that he would face a fair trial and probably would not even get punished that hard, because many people had spoken for him. That seemed to encourage the man, because he told them a rough direction, where to head, but said that he had not heard of the man in four days. So probably the stranger had moved on?

They thanked the man – yes, the prince actually did – and followed his instructions. Did not ride too fast, since they scanned their surroundings.  They rode as far apart as possible, while still seeing each other, to search for any hints. Just Merlin was riding beside Arthur, since the blonde did not want him to behave like a knight. He was a servant, after all! And probably his alpha instincts were telling him to keep his omega close and safe, but that was a neglectable aspect.

And as the sun set, they got together again and started looking for a place to set camp.

That was, when Merlin suddenly flinched and almost fell off the horse. Immediately Arthur manoeuvred his horse over and grabbed his reins, to stop the horse.

“Merlin!”, he gasped, a hot of panic in his voice.

“I’m fine, I’m fine!”, the omega assured him and steadied himself.

“What happened?”, asked Leon, riding over to them. Worried. The other knights followed suit.

Merlin was not that good at riding, in fact complained about it more often than never, but he was not one to just fall off horseback. At least not anymore. They had worked on that.

“Nothing. I...”, the sorcerer mumbled, not sure, how to phrase, what he had just experienced. He went for the first thing that came to his mind and pointed into the sky.

“What is it?”, asked Arthur, not seeing anything at all.

“There was.... This thing. This, I mean, we should ride on. That way. There is something!”, he stuttered, not sure what to say at all. But he had gotten the basic direction. Could still smell a faint hint. But he could just not openly say, what it might be. He was supposed to be a beta, was he not?

“The thing! Ah, I get it! C’mon guys, that way?”, Gwaine confirmed and set his horse in the direction. Leon and Elyan followed his actions, because, well, whether you understood it or not, you would not argue with Merlin’s strange intuitions.

“Yes. There!”, the servant nodded and placed his hand on Arthur’s, that was still holding his reins. The knights started riding, so they could exchange a glance.

“Intuition?”, the prince whispered.

“You’ll notice soon, alpha...”, Merlin replied, pressed his hand and then let go, to follow the knights. They had to catch up with them.

Both rode behind them, getting closer and then, after about ten minutes, Arthur was the first one to notice. To smell it.

“Stop!”, he ordered and they all came to a halt.

“Sire?”, Leon asked. Looked around in confusion. Looking for a possible opponent. But could not make out any.

“Can’t you smell that, Leon? Concentrate on your instincts!”, the prince commanded. And all the knights followed his order. Closed their eyes for a moment.

“That’s an alpha!”, Gwaine was the first one to notice. Well, the third, to be precise. But the first of the knights.

They rode in the direction of the smell, Arthur and Merlin falling behind.

“You all right?”, the price asked, looking the pale omega up and down.

“I’m fine...”, was the reply. And his alpha senses told him that – of course – Merlin was not! He was a omega! And that smell was definitely that of an alpha in his rut. No wonder He had been the first to smell!

“You’re not. You’re not taking Gaius medicine right now, right?”

“Not yet... But-“

“No ‘buts’, Merlin. You’re suffering. I can smell it...”, he interrupted. Glaring at the dark-haired.

“I am. A little. I mean, it’s okay. Just... Just gives me a headache, okay?”, the sorcerer admitted.

“You won’t stay here, if I ask you to, will you?”

“Will you leave me alone in the woods, to protect me from another alpha?”

“No.”

“Over here!”, Leon exclaimed and halted his horse. The others did, as well, forming a half circle around a tree. At the foot of the tree, there sat, lay, was a cloaked figure, sword lying next to them. Well, him. An alpha. A male alpha, in his rut.

Merlin tried to hold his breath, as Leon and Gwaine dismounted and stepped closer to the man.

“Here, take that”, Arthur hisses and passed him a piece of fabric. No one paid them attention, everyone was fussed on the alpha.

Merlin did as he was told and examined the piece of quite familiar fabric. Recognised his own neckerchief, that he had left with Arthur days ago and caught on to his idea. It was a piece of fabric smelling strongly of alpha pheromones. Of Arthur. And this was. Yes, that was good. That was calming. So he covered his mouth and nose with it, tied it behind his head and dismounted as well, just as Gwaine’s voice cut through the woods.

“Lance!”, the knight exclaimed in honest surprise.

Instantly everyone stepped closer, taking a look at the panting figure at the tree. And  lowered there gazes as soon as they noticed the compromising situation, the man was in. Leon and Elyan even stepped back.

“Fuck...”, the man, Lance, fucking Lancelot!, gasped and tried to look up. But was unable to focus. His eyes were glassy. He looked feverish and, well. He was not wearing his pants. Apparently he had tried to take care of things – namely his rut – himself.

“Merlin, can you help him? You’re always with Gaius, aren’t you?”, Gwaine asked loud enough to be heard, kneeling down, next to Lancelot, placing his hand on his shoulder soothingly. “Hey, it’s okay, mate. It’ll pass. We’ll get through it...”, he then added in a very gentle voice.

“I... Err... I don’t have any medicine. I don’t carry those with me...”, the sorcerer explained, trying to hide his upcoming panic. His omega instincts were pushing and pulling at the same time, driving him mad. Part  of him wanted to leave, to run, to be with his alpha only, to get away from the smell, but another part of his body was reacting to the strong smell, to the pheromones. Which all together ended up in him feeling about to throw up.

But he could not. This was a friend, wasn’t it? This was Lancelot! One of his best friends! So well, he had to do something. He had to think. Act. Use his fucking rational brain!

“I! I still have the aides, Gaius gave me for my rut!”, Percival raised his had, not looking at his long lost best friend.

“Get them! Now!”, Merlin ordered him. This was an option. A way out. Not a suppressant, no way to stop the scent, but it would relieve the groaning man’s discomfort.

“Shhht, it’s okay, Lance. We’ll help”, Gwaine meanwhile told the former knight.

“Ahnnn... Who’s... There?”, was the absent reply. Lancelot was obviously not completely with them.

“It’s us, Lance. Your friends. Gwaine here. And Perce is, too. Leon and Elyan and Arthur. And Merlin. He’s going to help you....”

“Oh fuuuuck.... No. No... Gwaine, get him away!”, Lancelot mumbled feverish. Tried to grab his sleeve, but could not work up the coordination.

“Don’t talk nonsense. We’ll help you. Merlin will. It’s fine. Everything will be fine...”, Gwaine tried to calm him.

Meanwhile Percival had searched through his saddlebag and passed Merlin a small glass with pills in it. Still trying not to breathe, the sorcerer examined them.

“He has to take them. Three, at best. He needs to rest!”, he ordered.

“Great. Leon, Elyan! Set up a camp near by! Start a fire. Percival, take the horses. We’ll spend the night here. Gwaine, can you give him the medicine?”, Arthur took over and passed the glass to the kneeling knight.

“Merlin’s better with this. I don’t think, he can swallow properly...”

“No!”, Arthur and a panting Lancelot exclaimed in unison. So Gwaine did not talk back and just took the medicine. Examined it. Then reached for his waterskin and opened it.

“Well, not that I never wanted to...”, he shrugged, took a large gulp, then took three pulls inside his mouth and pressed it to Lancelot’s. Forced both into his mouth and down his throat.

“Truly professional, didn’t expect anything else!”, Arthur huffed and looked over to Merlin, who had decidedly kept a ten feet distance still breathing through the fabric. Concentrated only on Arthur’s pheromones.

“You’re welcome to try my services!”, Gwaine teased, wiping his mouth. Then smiled at Lancelot, who was still looking utterly debauched. “Shall we reinstall your modesty?”, he then asked.

“’ts all dirty. No modesty left...”, the former knight breathed.

“Gwaine, check for food supplies, I’ll take over!”, Arthur interjected.

And his knight nodded, got up and joined the others. Pressed Lancelot’s shoulder in passing.

The prince took a breath. Evaluated the mixture off smells, then went over to his servant, while keeping an eye on the alpha. It would take a few more minutes for the medicine to take effects. He knew. Was familiar with the effects of the pills. He had also used them during his ruts, to make the nights more bearable, just did not carry them around all the time. He still had almost three whole weeks, until he was due.

He pressed Merlin’s face into his neck. Let him inhale his scent. Felt him relax in his arms. And became calmer himself.

“Can you do something about Lance’s clothes? Maybe that will ease the smell a little... He’s full of... Y’know...”, he whispered.

Merlin nodded. “’s anyone watching?”, he muttered into his neck.

“No one. And Lance’s almost out...”

“Okay...”, the sorcerer sighed and muttered an easy spell. Cleaned the suffering alphas clothes and tried a weaker form of the magic he used on himself, to conceal his pheromones.

Of course he would not suppress them completely, even if he could. Because everyone would notice. But he could make the smell a little more faint, a little more bearable. Just for the night. Because when he was interpreting the scent correctly, the worst part was already over. He just hoped, he was right. Because it was literally making him sick to smell this alpha.

Well, if he were bonded to an alpha, the smell would most likely hardly affect him. But he was not. So he was not at all oblivious to another alpha. He was just glad, he did not react in the way, he usually would. Well, like he probably would, since he was not on suppressants. He wondered, why that was. Probably had something to do with the dominant alpha’s pheromones he was inhaling so regularly? Maybe he would ask Gaius, if he knew anything about that. But later.

“Well done. It’s a lot less strong now... Can you stand it?”

“I’ll have to. Don’t worry, managed worse...”

“D’ya think, he might make some kind of move, while we’re asleep? Probably won’t lay his hands on another alpha. That’s a Gwaine-thing only. But... Will he touch you?”, Arthur asked, caressing his back. “He seemed quite bad...”

“He’s away from his mate... They’re not bonded, but he’s aware. That probably caused his bad state. Don’t think, he’ll attack me or something, he’s a good friend, but… You want to make sure, don’t you?”, Merlin sighed into his neck and rubbed his nose over what he could reach of his scent glands under the collar of the armour.

“I… Want to protect you…”, Arthur admitted. After all he was an alpha, and this omega was pretty much technically almost his. So he had every right to feel protective…

“Fine. Why don’t you tie him up? Maybe the restraints will also help a little…”

“Hm?”, the alpha raised his head. Confused.

“When it gets bad, tucking you in help a little. Makes one feel safe. My mother taught me. Said, it was the same for alphas…”, the sorcerer explained his thoughts.

“I see… Sounds strange, but… I never tried it. Well, no one dares to restrain the prince of Camelot…”, Arthur admitted. Shrugged.

“Doesn’t help your ego, either…”, Merlin mumbled, but pressed his lips on his scent glands.

“I’ll get you jailed for treason one day. I swear…”

“Only for that?”

“Not at all and you know it very well… So, you seem fine again”, Arthur noted and let him go. Immediately the sorcerer pulled down his neckerchief to cover his mouth and nose again.

“I am fine!”, he stated and nodded. But remained where he was, while Arthur turned towards the now passed out Lancelot and restored his modesty. Put his pants back on and tied his laces. A little uncertain, because he never did things like those for others, but he could not have Merlin get any closer to this alpha!

When he turned and looked at his omega, the man was trying to hide a smirk. On his lips. The very visible lips.

“Where the, the…?”, he asked pointing at his own mouth.

“Invisible…”, Merlin explained, a little shy and now Arthur noticed the faint glimmer in his eyes. Understood.

“I see. Get Percival and a rope, then? Ask him to tie him up. But not too tight. He’s not a prisoner”, he ordered.

The servant nodded and stepped away. After a short while, he took a relived breath, then continued with his task and approached the big knight.

A while later, the six of them sat around the fire they had set. Lancelot had been moved to a tree closer to their camp, so they could see him, but far away enough, so Merlin was not feeling too sick. Just a little nauseous. But he could endure. It was fine. Arthur was there. And had already whispered, that he would stay close. Just in case.

While no one was looking, Merlin sneaked his neckerchief over to him, so he could scent it. Hide it under his armour, on his bare skin, close to his scent glands. For a moment, Merlin had been worried, the absence of this characteristic piece of clothing would be noticed, but it became dark soon and in the light of the fire, no one seemed to see. Or at least did not address it.

They ate some bread and and meat and dried fruit and every now and then glanced over to the sedated man.

“I’ve never had it that bad…”, Gwaine admitted after a while, nodding towards their long lost friend. They did not usually speak about their ruts. That was not a topic discussed in public, but of course it would be Gwaine who would breach it.

“Because you’re hardly one to fall in love…”, Elyan commented. Despite his reputation, he was quite the romantic. And, well, he was not Gwaine. Did flirt every now and then, impress the people with his talents, but he had always believed in true love, just like his sister…

“Hey, I’m very capable of loving!”, Gwaine replied with a huff.

“So it really gets worse, when you’re in love?”, Leon wondered, ignoring him.

“When the one you love is not with you… We should really bring him back to Camelot, if…”, Percival started, then interrupted himself, looked over to Arthur. Carefully.

“No ‘ifs’. We’ll bring him. He’s still a knight of Camelot. We’ll see, whether there will be a trial for what he did to Gilsworth, but we won’t abandon him!”, the prince stated, sitting next to his servant. He had never truly disliked Lancelot. There had been this whole Gwen-situation that had left  him very angry at that time, but that had been months ago, almost a full year! Oh, and the nobleman-situation, but all together he liked the brave fighter. He had saved his life more than once. And he was a good man. And Guinevere’s true mate. He could not bring himself to keep him away from her. He had seen her suffer, after he had left. Had deeply regretted his rage, his stupid jealousy. Merlin had had every right, to call him a prat for acting like that.

“That’s great! So we can keep him after all?”, Gwaine grinned.

“We don’t take in strays, Gwaine! This is a special situation!”, Arthur reminded him. Rolled his eyes.

“So… You have forgiven him?”, Percival asked carefully. Well, he had been Lancelot’s best friend. So of course the question was to come. They all had been there, had witnessed the whole conflict unfold. And the duel in which it had peaked.

“There is nothing to forgive, Percival. I had been under the wrong impression and thus have acted on false premise. Lancelot has done nothing wrong. Noting much, I suppose…”, the prince replied. Thought. Well, Lancelot had done a lot of things, many wrong things, too, but never for the wrong reasons. He had always meant good. Had always been righteous and brave.

“That’s great! I missed him!”, Elyan sighed in relief.

“He’s a good man…”, Leon smiled.

They chatted some more, avoiding any topic related to Gwen or Lancelot and finally decided to go to sleep. Merlin placed his bedroll as far away from Lancelot, as was possible without raising suspicions. And Arthur placed his in front of him. Close to him. Which he normally would rather not do, because it was suspicious. But the prince did not care. All his alpha senses called out to him to protect the omega, to keep him close, to smell him, scent him, so no other alpha would dare to ouch. But…

“How’re you doing?”, Arthur asked, as they lay side by side. He facing away from the fire, towards his omega. Elyan volunteered for the first watch and would wake Arthur, when it was his turn to take over.

“Fine. It helps…”, the sorcerer replied, back turned towards him. As far away as possible from the source of the unpleasant scent.

“Still feels like it’s not enough… I… I sense something, I don’t quite like…”, the prince admitted. Taking in the scent from the omega.

“It… Well, I can’t help it. It doesn’t feel good…”

“I doesn’t make you hot…”, he whispered, coming a little closer, so he could whisper into his ear.

“No. Just… Sick, somehow…”, Merlin admitted, suppressing a shudder. Okay, this was working. This was making him feel comfortable. And maybe a little hot. Overlapping Lancelot’s smell. He leaned back, against his chest, his blanket and armour, and though it was hard, he liked the pressure. The knowing, that it was his alpha behind him.

“I hate that…”, Arthur admitted into his ear.

“What?”

“That you’re reacting to him. Don’t want you to. I know it’s stupid, but…”

“I know… I know, Arthur. It’s fine. You can’t help it, hm?”, Merlin mumbled.

“Can’t. Smell only me, Merlin…”, the prince replied and placed his arm around him. Held him. Close.

“I do…”, the sorcerer whispered and closed his eyes. Then turned in his arms, to smell more of him, to get even closer. And buried his head in his neck.

“Good…”

When it was Arthur’s turn to take over, Elyan carefully approached them and harrumphed twice, before the prince cracked one eye open.

“Hm?”, he asked, as he raised his head.

“Sorry to wake you, Sire, but it’s your turn to take over. I’m very tired!”, the knight whispered, loud enough, so he could hear.

“I see, yes, my turn. Just, just a moment…”, Arthur mumbled. Tried to sort himself, which meant, that he tried to disentangle from Merlin, who was laying on one of his arms, while the other arm was still on top of him. It took more than a moment to get ready to sit up without waking him.

“Thanks Sire. I’m so very tired, I hardly see anything. Probably won’t notice a pack of wolves next to us!”, Elyan said and yawned demonstratively. Then he slid into his bedroll and was asleep right away.

Arthur looked around. Everyone was sleeping. Well, Gwaine was snoring, Percival lay next to him, being the only one who could ignore this effectively and Leon was curled together as close to the fire as possible. Lancelot was still tied to the tree, passed out. And Merlin… Well, Merlin was trying to slide closer to him, still fast asleep.

So he ended up sitting by the fire, with a sleeping Merlin in his lap. Literally, in his lap. Still in his sleep the omega had robbed over, slid both arms around his waist and buried his head in the remains of the bedroll Arthur used as blanket around his hip. He was so very close. Had wrapped himself more or less around him. And it was good.

He had started stroking his hair at some point during the night and though he knew, that he should wake him some time, so he could take over, he could not bring himself to actually interrupt his sleep. So he ended up, staying on watch, until the sky started brightening up. That was, when he heard a rustling sound from Gwaine.

“You up?”, he mumbled sleepily.

“Yeah...”, was the answer.

“’m tired. Can you take the last hour or so?”

“’course, just sleep, princess...”, the knight yawned and sat up.

Arthur just nodded and curled himself around his omega. Sunk into sleep almost immediately, and as soon as he embraced him, Merlin just sighed and snuggled closer. He could care later, how to explain this. Now he was sleepy and Merlin was warm and safe and smelled so good...

Merlin opened his eyes, because through the comforting veil of alpha pheromones, a different smell reached his nose. An unpleasant one. The one of an alpha in his rut. He stuck up his nose. Rubbed it against warm skin. The skin of his alpha. But he could not help but feel slightly unwell. Not quite like throwing up, but like a fast horseride without having eaten all day. He did not like it, yet it pulled him out of his comfortable slumber.

And he started paying attention to his surroundings. Not yet willing to get up.

“Hnn...”, he heard. Just a faint sound. Muffled.

“Done eating?”, another voice asked. Low. As if trying to stay quiet. And then there was a not so quiet slurping sound, accompanied by another “Hnn-nh”, that sounded like a confirmation.

“Good boy...”, the one obviously able to form coherent words said. Then he heard more slurping and heavy breathing.

“You don’t... Haveta...”, the first voice managed to gasp.

“Shaddap, just take it, before I send you back to sleep...”, was the answer from the voice that sounded suspiciously like Gwaine. Which would explain the sounds. Because, well, Gwaine...

“Hnnnnh....”

The sounds continued for a short while, then Merlin smelled a change in the air. The alpha in rut had relieved himself. In a burst of pheromones. And Merlin had to press his nose into Arthur’s skin, to keep himself from gagging. The smell was strong. His stomach almost turned.

“Hmpf?”, Arthur made, as he clung to him.

“Sorry....”, he mumbled, pressing closer to his alpha’s smell.

“Whatsup?”, the prince asked and nuzzled against his hair.

“Alpha....”, he just replied. And Arthur held him closer. Suddenly wide awake. Looking around, without letting go.

“Gwaine? What’cha doin?”, the prince asked in a clear voice.

“Nothing. Just gave Lance some more medicine. Ready to get up, princess?”, was the answer, after an almost too long silence, accompanied by swallowing.

“I see...”, Arthur said very slowly. Tried to get up, without letting go of his omega, but Merlin took another deep breath and then decided to let him go. To also raise his lower body to look around.

“No, you don’t. Nothing to see at all. Did you sleep well?”, Gwaine smiled brightly, stepping into their sight, just to sit down beside the remains of the fire. The sun was probably not completely up, but it was bright enough to see.

“I... See?”, Arthur repeated sceptically.

“Mornin’, Gwaine...”, Merlin then yawned and immediately regretted it, since he inhaled while doing do. His mouth twisted.

Wordlessly, Arthur handed him his neckerchief. The one he had kept with him all night and Merlin tied it around his neck while inhaling the scent. In an unattended moment, he would put it over his mouth. And cast this invisibility spell again.

“Morning, sleepyhead. Are you not feeling well?”, Gwaine noticed, looking at the servant.

“Nah, stomach’s a little upset. Maybe I shouldn’t have eaten that suspicious looking cheese yesterday...”, he lied without batting an eye, just straight to his face.

“Oh. When it looked suspicious, why did you eat it?”

“I’d hardly waste any food! Don’t worry, I’ll be fine soon. Is anyone else up?”, Merlin asked then, looking around, now sitting next to his prince in a less compromising position.

“Nah, doesn’t look it. Hey! Elyan, Perce, Leon? Anyone there?”, Gwaine asked loudly.

“Hnee?”, was Elyan’s eloquent answer, as he turned and tried to pull the blanket over his head.

“Shaddap, Gwaine!”, Leon meanwhile complained.  Just Percival remained silent and yawned.

“Fuck, I hope, he’s over it soon, I slept so badly...”, the dark tanned knight sighed and gave up. Turned back towards them and looked at them. “Can’t be only me?”

“Nah, not only you. His pheromones are fucking with us. I’m still hyperaware of everything around, like someone’s going to attack any minute...”, Percival described.

“By the way: Is Lancelot still asleep?”, Leon wondered, looking over to their tied up friend.

“Again. Was up earlier, but still not feeling fine, so I send him back to sleep. He should be over with it by afternoon, maybe. Already was better...”, Gwaine explained, not elaborating further, how their interaction had gone.

“It’s not advised to take more than one dose at a time...”, Merlin remembered Gaius’ advice, because, well, he was helping to make the medicine, so of course the old man would tell him all kinds of things about them. How the single herbs worked, what they did together and what one should be careful about when taking certain medications, because some did not work well with alcohol or some teas. Some parts of these conversations  had to stick.

“I know. But he was more or less clear for an hour, before I send him back, and...”

“I see, then it’s fine, I guess... he hasn’t taken them for a longer time...”, Merlin nodded, suddenly very aware what the ‘and’ part could have been, because he knew that one should at least release once, before going back to rest. Also one should try to eat and drink something and he was pretty sure, he had heard about that as well. But he would not press the matter, because, after all, this probably was a great help for Lancelot, and not just something Gwaine had done for egoistic reasons. He was just that kind of guy.

Two hours later, Merlin and – to everyone’s surprise – Arthur volunteered and left the camp to ride back to Gilsworth’s castle, to inform him that they have successfully captured the culprit and would be heading south, back to Camelot with him.

Knowing the way, they were a lot faster than the day before and reached the building before afternoon. The guards recognised them and let them in. And after just a short exchange with the Lord, they continued their journey to the village, to also let the people know. To assure them, that they would treat Lancelot fairly. Then they bought some supplies and made their way back to their camp, before it got dark.

“You look a lot better”, Arthur noted after a while.

“Thanks?”

“Did... Did you really just feel sick?”, he wanted to know then.

“Yes? What do you mean?”, the sorcerer wanted to know, not sure what he was implying.

“I... Didn’t you feel... Aroused? I mean, those were pheromones strong enough to agitate all of us... Didn’t you... React?”

“Most of the time I was within arm’s reach. Don’t you think, you would have noticed, if I had been ‘aroused’?”, Merlin shot back at him with a glare.

“I, well, I suppose so... But usually... I was certain, you’d react...”

“I did react! I still feel sick, thinking about the smell!”

“But, no, I... Why didn’t you get all hot ‘n stuff?”, the prince wanted to know.

“What? Do you WANT me to get hot over Lancelot’s alpha pheromones?!”, the dark-haired exclaimed and stared at him.

“No! Of course not! You shouldn’t get hot over anyone’s pheromones, but mine, but, well... I don’t understand...”, Arthur replied in defence. And only got a little red over his accidental statement.

“So you want me to get hot over you?”, Merlin asked, halting the horse.

Out of reflex, the blonde did the same. “I... Well... Maybe? I’m an alpha, Merlin. Of course I would want that!”, he tried to explain.

“Yes. You’re an alpha. So of course you want every omega in the kingdom to get all hot over you...”, the sorcerer grumbled. Rolled his eyes.

“Wait, no! That’s not what I said!”

“What did you say then?”

“Just what I said. I want YOU to get hot over me. Not any random omega. Don’t put words into my mouth, when, argh, Merlin! You’re driving me mad!”

“Says you! What do you think, I’m going through, since all that happened? I don’t understand myself anymore! I loathe Lancelot’s smell! Any alpha’s smell! I just want yours all over me! This is absolutely mad!”,  Merlin exclaimed.

“Fuck!”, Arthur made and dismounted, more or less elegantly. “Get down here!”

“And if I don’t wanna?!”

With one swift movement he was next to Merlin and just pulled him off the horse, held his upper arm in a firm grip and glared at him. “You!”, he then hissed, pulling him towards him.

“Me?”, the servant shot back. Aiming for daring, but failing miserably.

“You are annoying. An idiot. Mentally ill or whatever! You, you, argh!”, Arthur hissed and then pulled him in. Against his plated chest. And kissed him. Because this was what he wanted to do right now. Either kiss him or punch him. Whatever. He just had to do something about this feeling. About what was raging inside his chest.

Merlin was stunned for just a second, then his instincts kicked in and he leaned into the kiss. Against the alpha’s soft lips. And his heart skipped a beat, only to beat even faster, as if to catch up. Well, this probably was madness. But he had never been the cautious type. Had always taken risks.

He sighed and closed his eyes. He felt light-headed all of a sudden and was pretty sure, he felt his magic tingling in his fingertips, again. Which should be worrying, but was not at all. Because Arthur Pendragon was kissing him. Was holding both his upper arms and moving his lips against his.

“Want to... Taste you...”, the alpha mumbled between kisses, still not letting him go.

And again Merlin worked on autopilot. Without an active – or reasonable – thought, he opened his mouth, to grand him entrance. To let him in. To kiss him like they had weeks ago. Or maybe not exactly like that.

Arthur took the hint. Let the tip of his tongue slide over his lower lip experimentally. Tasted the omega, before giving in to his own greed, to the alpha brain that wanted to claim, to possess, to feel, to mark! He slipped his tongue inside and felt Merlin’s, greeting him. And claimed. Kissed him like he had wanted for so long! Desperately. Longingly. Because he had missed this too much.

Merlin’s legs gave in and he sighed into the kiss. Arthur was steadying him now, but that was fine. Because he was feeling good. Because his instincts were telling him, this was right. This was the way it had to be. He was giving in and it was great! Submitting to the alpha’s kiss. To his will. This was just so very right! His omega was happy, satisfied. He could go on like this for hours! Days even, without letting go, but he knew this was out of question, impossible. And he already regretted having to pull away eventually.

Arthur’s hands were stroking his back, while holding him, eventually trying to slide under the fabric of Merlin’s tunic, but somewhere in the back of his mind, he realised, he could not continue this. Not like that. He was about to do something very stupid, very unwise and very rough. His alpha wanted. Wanted to take, to claim, but he just could not! Not here, not now! They were out in the woods, next to their horses and they had a destination to reach. A friend to care for! He could not just take Merlin, claim him, here! Also they had no… Well, no supplies. The omega was not in heat, and even if he wanted him desperately – which the hardness pressing against his leg indicated – this would not be enough! He did not actually want to hurt him! He wanted him to enjoy, not just tear him apart!

He was not cruel! So he just kissed him some more and tried to prepare himself for having to let go. For when he just had to break the kiss. But maybe they could continue this? Later. Back at the citadel. In his chambers? If Merlin was amenable? Would he be amenable? What if he changed his mind? Not wanted this at all? What if that were the only chance? But.. If he would do it now because the situation would allow it, would it not be wrong? Acting in the heat of the moment? Would Merlin really, actually consent, when his brain, his body was just overwhelmed by all kinds of pheromones?

Fuck! He pulled away. Looked at his omega, who hesitantly opened his eyes. They were glassy, pupils blown wide, lips swollen and red. He looked beautiful. So utterly beautiful. And he wished for nothing more then to be able to pull him into bed with him, right now! But, well...

“We should… Go back...”, he panted instead, licking his lips,. He wanted. He wanted him so much, it hurt! Literally, because his hard cock was pressing against its restraints, yearning for attention.

“That would be… The wise thing to do…”, Merlin whispered, just as out of breath, as he was. Obviously trying to pull himself together.

“Want you…”, he admitted, biting his lower lip, in order to keep himself from just resuming their kiss. Well, he had interrupted it in the first place.

“Yes…”, the omega replied, looking into his eyes. Full of want. Obviously this feeling was mutual. For now, at least.

“At home. If you still want, I’ll take you…”

“You will…”, Merlin assured him, a wanting gleam in his eyes.

“Fuck, Merlin…”, the prince growled, voice low. He needed to breath. To stay strong.   

“Yes, you will…”, the omega repeated. Licking his lip. Oh fuck, he was hot. It had no right, to be this hot! Arthur felt the alpha in him roar with want. Take! Right here, right now! He wanted! He had to!

“When we get home, Merlin, I swear…. Fuck, I swear, I’ll….”, he tried to make his point, whatever that point was. He was not so sure. Because Merlin was hot and willing and smelled so fucking good, it was driving him mad!

“It’s okay. You can”, the dark-haired smiled. “But you’re right. We should go back…”

“I sometimes hate to be reasonable…”, Arthur muttered, still so close to him. So very close, but not nearly close enough.

“You’re the prince. You’re supposed to be a reasonable king one day…”

“Don’t remind me…”, he rolled his eyes playfully.

“Hard to forget…”

“Hmpf…”

They let it go. Then finally let each other go. And took a breath. Then they got on their horses again and continued riding.

And after a while they actually made it to the camp. Merlin noticed the smell, but assured Arthur, that it was not that bad any more. That he would not need the neckerchief.

“Sire! There you are!”, Leon spotted them first.

“What took you so long, princess?”, Gwaine grinned and waved, but did not get up, since he was steadying their newly-recovered friend who was wrapped in a blanket. He had one arm wrapped around Lancelot, who looked dead-tired, but at least awake and conscious.

“Gwaine, watch your mouth! We brought supplies!”, Arthur scolded him, as he dismounted and led his horse towards the others.

“Food?”, Elyan asked, head shooting up.

“We brought meat pies. The villagers insisted”, Merlin smiled, rummaging through his saddle bag.

“I love you, Merlin!”, Gwaine exclaimed with a wide grin, earning a glare from Arthur.

“Meat pies?”, Percival smiled and walked towards the sorcerer to help him. Or maybe to snatch one of the pastries, while no one was looking.

“Yes, a whole lot of them. Could feed half an army with them”, the servant replied. Ignoring Gwaine completely.

Taking another breath, he found that the air had delighted. Just a faint smell of an alpha in rut was left. Bearable. So Lancelot really was through with it. Hopefully not suffer any longer.

“Hey”, Merlin smiled a while later and dropped down next to his long lost friend. Shoved a meat pie into his hand.

“Hey…”, was the weak reply. But Lancelot took the food. Looked at it and then took a small bite.

“How are you?”, the sorcerer asked.

“Will everyone ask me this twice an hour?”

“Probably. We worried. You looked pretty bad out there…”

“I felt pretty bad out there…”

“You’re over the worst…”

“Yes. Thanks for your help. All of you. I apprec- appre-… Thanks….”

“You’re a friend. Of course we’d help you, Lance!”, Gwaine interjected. He was still sitting next to him, steadying him

“Still… You didn’t have to…”

“Was an honour…”, the brunette smiled. Winked.

“Gwaine….”, Merlin sighed, but did not comment further.

“Get me some water, Gwaine?”, Lancelot asked. Offering him a weak smile.

“You still have- er, yes. Yes. I’ll fetch you some. Just don’t run off, sweetheart”, the armoured man nodded and got up, carefully, since his friend was still leaning against him. Then he left the two of them alone.

“You alright?”, Lancelot asked again, this time more cautiously, trying not to lean in too closely, while still keeping the conversation quiet. Glancing left an right, but no one way paying them any attention. Leon was deep in conversation with Elyan and Arthur, and Percival was taking care of the horses. Gwaine was taking his time at the other end of the camp.

“Was pretty bad earlier, but I’m fine now. He helped you?”, Merlin mumbled nodding towards Gwaine.

“Yeah… Was pretty out of it. Couldn’t smell, but… Since I knew... Sorry, if I did anything…”

“No. You didn’t. It’s fine. You’re fine now. Just rest and we’ll take you home tomorrow.”

“Home?”

“To Camelot, of course!”

“Gwaine also babbled something like that. You sure, you want me there?”

“Of course!”

“Ah, yeah. I forgot. There’s still a trial coming, right? I fucked it up, I think. Dungeons or stocks or will he hang me, right away?”, Lancelot wanted to know with a heavy sigh, still half-heartedly nibbling his meat pie.

“Stop talking nonsense. Of course you won’t hang. Also Arthur will be responsible, not the king!”

“That’s worse… He’ll definitely want to see me hanging…”

“Bullshit. He doesn’t even think, what you did were actual crimes. He just wants you to come home!”, Merlin whisper-shouted.

“To rub it in my face, I suppose?”, the former – or maybe still – knight huffed.

“What are you talking about? I don’t think, we’re having the same conversation at the moment. No one’s gonna rub anything in your face. Well, maybe a wet washcloth?”, the sorcerer wanted to know, joking to try to lighten the mood.

“Arthur and Gwen. They must be engaged by now? He had his coming-of-age ceremony a while ago, right?”

“What?!” Merlin stared at him wide eyed. Absolutely not understanding where that had come from. How could someone come to that kind of misconception of... Of everything?!

“Guess, the didn’t announce it to public, yet? But words must go around. Gwaine hinted at the price being taken care of or so?”, Lancelot told him.

And Merlin’s confusion turned into horror at the mere image of Arthur and Gwen. Gwen taking care of Arthur. Touching him! An unexpected wave of jealousy washed over him, but after he fought it down, remembered exactly, how absurd that would be, he could not help, but start laughing out loud.

So loud, that everyone turned towards them. Arthur in worry, the others just either confused, or curious, so he shook his head, send his alpha a reassuring look and waved it off, so the others would politely start minding their own business again. Which usually worked just fine. No one would question or press any further. Merlin enjoyed a certain trust amongst most of the knights and servants in the castle.

“What?!”, was now Lancelot’s turn to ask.

“No, no. Definitely not. Arthur’s not dating Gwen. Never would. He had a crush on her at that time, but she turned him down – quite spectacularly – and he moved on. They’re friends. He wouldn’t lay a finger on her”, the sorcerer explained hurriedly. He had to clear up this misunderstanding, now that he understood what was going on.

“Really? I mean... It was pretty bad, when I left. Thought, he’d kill me, because I kissed her...”, Lancelot admitted.

“You were not the only one, who thought that. But things have changed a great deal since then. It’s been almost a year. He’d been heartbroken for two weeks, then took out his rage on some training dummies and poor, helpless manservants, then he moved on. Wasn’t even moping that badly. I actually think, he regrets even more, to have let you go as a kni-“

“Merlin? Are you gossiping about me?”, Arthur interrupted him by calling over. But his tone was rather playful, than threatening.

“Wouldn’t ever, Sire! Just confirming he’s alive and well!”, the poor, helpless manservant replied cheekily.

“Tell him, if he doesn’t behave, I have no problems, tying him up again!”

“Uh, didn’t know, you were into the kinky stuff, princess!”, Gwaine exclaimed, accompanied by a appreciative whistle. He seemed to finally have found the water. Had given them enough time for a private talk.

“Shaddap Gwaine! Can still tie you up next to him!”, the prince threatened.

“Yes, yes. I have faith in your skill, but I don’t prefer it that way...”, was the reply.

“I thought you’d give everyone at least a go?”, Elyan asked.

“Who says, I haven’t?”, Gwaine winked with a bright grin.

“Too much information, Gwaine!”, Leon sighed and rolled his eyes.

Their exchange was interrupted by laughter. Still a little weak, but Lancelot was laughing whole-heartedly. Looking at them.

“Nothing much has changed after all?”, he suspected.

“You’ll see”, Leon smiled at him.

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During training the next day, everything was normal. Just as usual. They all were a little tired, but no one acted out of their way, so Arthur could beat up everyone and Merlin would watch him from afar. He had kept his distance, as much as possible and made sure to renew his spell, right after dressing the prince, after putting on his armour and was ready to do so, whenever they would accidentally get close again. Because he knew, he needed to. They needed to stay reasonable. And Arthur was probably more reasonable, when he could not smell him. And he? Well, he had to be fine.

They were in the middle of training, as the sudden sound of trumpets interrupted them. Instantly, they dropped the swords and looked up. Not because there was anything to see in the sky,  but rather out of reflex. Those trumpets were announcing a visitor, it was not the horn, warning of an attack. And also, since their encounter with a certain dragon, nothing had tried to attack them from above.

“A visitor?!”, Leon called out in surprise.

“Were you expecting anyone, princess?”, Gwaine asked, looking at Arthur.

“Not really... Okay, training’s over for the day. Get ready to greet whoever honours us with their visit! Merlin, come!”, the prince instructed his knights and then, returning his sword to its sheath, made his way towards the castle.

“You sure, you’re not expecting anyone?”, the sorcerer asked, as soon as they left the training ground behind.

“Since you have the tendency to be very well informed about all the paperwork I make you submit to my father, I assume, you would know, if I knew if any approaching visitors...”, Arthur said, unable to give his voice any accusatory tone.

“Maybe Uther mentioned something during the council meetings you attended, while I was busy? I’m not always glued to your side”, the servant shrugged.

“Pity...”

“What was that?”

“Nothing, hurry up, Merlin!”

Still in his armour, the prince emerged from the castle’s main gate, Merlin in tow. The courtyard was already filled with curious people, waiting for whoever was to come through the gate. He came to a halt next to Gaius and a few other council members, and followed their gaze. Merlin bumped into him and stumbled back. Inhaling a nose of alpha pheromones, shivering. And the prince tensed, as well, but did not let anything show. There was something happening.

“What’s going on?”, he asked the old man, to distract himself from Merlin’s scent.

“I apologize, but I have no idea”, the physician answered. And then the trumpets sounded again. Silhouettes appeared at the gate, grew, came closer and could be identified as riders. A man leading them and three following. And then some people on foot and one more horse. And as he could see the fifth horse, he could see the man leading them more clearly.

“King Bayard of Mercia, I greet you!”, the loud voice of king Uther sounded from the balcony above. Arthur could not see his father, but he was convinced, he stood as proud as possible.

“King Uther of Camelot, greetings to you!”, the leader of the group replied. Dressed in royal colours, crown on his head. Hard to not recognise.

“Did you have a pleasant travel?”, Uther’s voice sounded.

“Indeed, king Uther. The journey was long, but we did not suffer any hardships!”

“Please, rest your horses and yourselves! I will have some servants take care of your horses. The guest quarters have already been prepared! Get comfortable and be my guest!”

The two kings exchanged some more pleasantries, expressions of goodwill and friendliness, before the servants passed Arthur, apologising and carrying out their duties. And then the people started busying themselves with their daily tasks, the crowd thinned and the other council members retreated, leaving only Gaius with them.

“My father was expecting Bayard?”

“It seems like he did...”, the physician nodded.

“What does he want?”, Merlin mumbled, suspicious of the visitor. Out of habit, he supposed. Because visitors hardly ever meant good news.

“He brought knights, servants and... I suppose his daughter?”, the prince mumbled, eying the visitors. He agreed with Merlin. This was highly suspicious.

“Indeed. Have you recently accepted a marriage proposal?”, Gaius asked.

“No!”, was Arthur’s instant reply, eyes going wide. He felt Merlin tensing behind him and tried to ignore it, because... Well, they had agreed on things! They needed to stop what they had been doing!

“It seems, Uther had invited king Bayard, to...”

“I suspect, this is what happened...”

“You should speak to the king. To your father, I mean...”, the physician said.

“Yes...”, Arthur sighed. “Merlin? Let’s go. He’ll be in the throne room, I assume...”

“Yes!”, the servant nodded and off they were again, prince still in his armour, walking fast.

“He must be kidding! He’s got to be kidding!”, Arthur shouted, as soon as the door closed – and locked. Probably it had been trained by now to lock whenever sorcerer and prince were alone in the room.

“He did not seem to be...”, Merlin tried, making sure, no sound would leave the walls, because, well, just because.

“I know! I know that, idiot! But I can’t believe it! He can’t just invite that guy and his omega daughter! He can’t expect me to spend a ‘lovely evening with her during the banquet’! he didn’t even ASK me!”, the prince exclaimed.

“Well, he did now?”

“He can’t just decide that!”, Arthur shouted.

“He’s the king?”

“He can’t sell me off like some good! I’m the prince, not his cattle!”

“Arthur!”

“He can’t! He won’t!”

“Arthur!”

“No! I’m not gonna go! I’ll stay here! He can’t force me to..”

“Will you shut up, now?!”, Merlin screamed and him, grabbing both his shoulders, shaking him. “Stop!”

“...”, the prince said nothing at that. Just bit his lip, looked at his mouth. Eyes narrowed.

“Better.”

“I’m angry...”, he mumbled then.

“I know.”

“Can I hug you?”

“You shouldn’t ...”

“Can I?”

“Yes...” Merlin let his arms fall.

Arthur made a step forward and pulled him in. Took a breath and buried his nose in the nape of his neck. Closed his eyes. “Better”, he just mumbled then. Mentally resuming the conversation he had had with his father.

Uther had told him, that he had invited his ally, king Bayard of Mercia, since he had missed Arthur’s coming-of-age ceremony and in the same sentence had hinted at strengthening their bond by introducing him to princess Ysenda, a well educated omega of high status. There had been peace between their countries for a while now, but since Uther would not trust Cendred of Escetir, their mutual neighbour, he had voiced his interest in a more formal union.

Which was the reason for Arthur’s rage. The reason why he had – after leaving the throne room – sprinted towards his quarters to shout out his anger. He could not just jump his father’s throat and was trained enough to not do so in the gall. But he was furious. Because he did not want to. He did not want to marry, yet. He did not even know princess Ysenda! Had never once met her! He barely knew king Bayard!

Yes, he knew that he would have to marry someday soon. He would find an omega of adequate status and produce a heir with them. Well, most probably her. Since there were not many fertile male omegas. A female would be the safe play... But not yet! Not today! Not during this... Situation! He could not take a mate, while... Well, not now. Not when it felt this good, to hold Merlin in his arms.

“You’ll have to...”, the omega mumbled.

“What?”, he grumbled against his scent glands, fearing he had voiced his thoughts out loud.

“Be her male company during the banquet. You’ll have to. She’s a king’s daughter. An ally’s daughter. You need to be nice to her...”

“I can’t marry her. Not now!”

“Arthur... You can still refuse, but if you’re rude to her, this might become a political issue...”

“Can be a perfect gentleman and keep her at arm’s length...”

“Good. Because you’ll have to...”

“Will you be there?”

“I’m your servant. If you want me there, I’ll be...”

“Will... Will you like it?”

“You flirting with an omega princess?”

“Hm-m...”

“I’m not some jealous alpha prat...”

“Mer~lin?”

“I won’t. I’ll hate it. But I’ll be fine. I know, you won’t take her to bed tonight...”

“Will you?”

“Will I, what?”

“Stay here tonight?”

“You wanted me to sleep in my own bed. We both agreed on that...”

“I know...”

“We’ll see, okay? Just be an good alpha prince during the banquet and we’ll see...”

“Will I get a reward?”, Arthur mumbled, nibbling at his omega’s neck, feeling him leaning in, relaxing against his chest.

“We’ll see...”

“Hmpf, fine. I’ll be nice to her. And you’ll make sure, I won’t do anything stupid...”

“I see, you have faith in me...”

“Should I not?”

“Usually you call me a clumsy idiot...”

“Didn’t say, you aren’t... Just help me through this...”

“Fine.... So? Will you let go?”, the sorcerer asked.

“Hmm... Just a moment...”

The afternoon went by with Merlin decidedly helping Gaius, while his prince practiced patience and manners by himself. They met several hours later, back in Arthur’s chambers, to dress him for the occasion and when they were done, Merlin’s eyes flashed golden. He used his magic to conceal his scent from him once more. Then they went down, into the great hall.

Where Arthur sat down next to princess Ysenda, Merlin taking his place behind him, ready to fill his goblet if needed. 

Uther looked at his son and nodded. Approvingly, then shifting his attention towards king Bayard, who was sitting next to him, on the place of honour, where usually the prince would sit, but Arthur had been placed at the side, next to the princess, where they had more privacy.

Morgana observed her brother and Merlin, looking for any hint at what was happening, but was soon dragged into a polite conversation with both kings.

“I have not seen you in years, Arthur. You are a fine man now”, princess Ysenda smiled at him, as the servants served the first course.

“We have met?”, Arthur asked, before he found his manners. “I am sorry, I don’t seem to recall, please help me.”

“We’ve been children back then. That was long before our fathers had made peace. We met at a big gathering in Anglia, was it, I think... You were only five or six, so you probably won’t remember, but I liked you. Though I had never thought, I’d ever get a chance to become your mate...”, she told him.

“I see... I vaguely remember the occasion.... You’re older than me, I suppose?”, Arthur replied, ignoring her statement.

“I’m twenty-three. But you don’t need to worry, I’m very fertile, our court physician just examined me, before we started our journey”, she smiled.

“Great. It’s good, that you’re healthy. Onega’s is really underappreciated. Our court physician is also taking good care of the omegas at our court. Take Lady Morgana for example”, he redirected the conversation, pointing at his sister. “She’s a very healthy omega, too.”

“Is she?”, Ysenda asked, eyeing her suspiciously.

“Indeed. Wouldn’t try to anger her, she’s a demon on horseback, though she doesn’t look it.”

“Oh, really? I’m a marvellous rider, as well.”

“I see...”

“Are you... Interested in your father’s ward?”, she wanted to know then.

“I respect her. One should always respect omegas and their will”, Arthur told her.

“Indeed. But the alpha’s will is always the most important... So? What do you want, alpha?”, she asked, through her lashes, seductively, while leaning towards him.

And Arthur swallowed. He could smell her now. Clearly. It was the scent of a very healthy omega, indeed. Sweet, yet strong. Like roses in full bloom. Appealing. And yet... Too strong, too... No, he could not name it, but something was off. Something did not fit. His body recognised the smell of a willing omega, but his alpha only rose it’s head, to check on it, did not go wild, like it used to do with a certain other omega. An omega he was not smelling right now. Who’s smell he was missing. She smelled nice, but she was not Merlin.

“More wine, Sire?”, the servant asked, standing by his side with the carafe in hand.

“Yes, please...”, he mumbled and slid his goblet over to him.

Merlin poured him wine, slowly, carefully. Decidedly keeping his distance.

“Would you also like some more wine, Milady?”, he then asked, gaze lowered. Respectfully.

“Yes”, Ysenda answered, so he walked around his prince, to pour her some wine, as well. Arthur followed him with his eyes, watching every movement. And even without being able to smell him, his alpha’s interest was caught.

“Soooo?”, the princess drew his attention back to her. “You turned into a very endearing alpha, I must say...” , she smiled.

“Thank you. My father expected nothing less from me”, he explained.

“You will be a good king. That’s why you’ll need an obedient omega by your side...”, she said, reaching for her fan, to cool her skin. She seemed to be hot in her dress with the many layers of fabric. No wonder, the nights had been quite warm in the last days. And her action had the effect, that Arthur was forced to inhale more of her omega scent.

“I can’t disagree on that...”, he mumbled. took a breath. Tried to ignore her pheromones. “Say, why did your parents marry?”, he wanted to know.

“My parents? Well, my father was the only alpha who survived his childhood and my mother was the only child of a grand duke, who’s lands had always been interesting. So of course they married. Mother’s father was compensated greatly and send her off. She had the luck of being an omega, so she was of worth. She had given birth to my older brother, the crown prince, two betas and me, so far”, the smiled.

“So... It was a transaction....”, Arthur said. Well, that was most likely his fate, too. So he had no right, to judge

“What else?”, Ysenda asked.

“My father married my mother out of love”, he told her.

“Romantic. But romance is for peasants, usually. We’re above that, aren’t we? I mean, look at you, you’re a dominant alpha, you’re... Hmmm, your smell’s nice. I think, we’d be a great match...”, she smiled, fanning more heavily scented air towards him.

“You think so?”, he mumbled. Swallowed. He felt his body react to her scent. But the reaction was confusing. His alpha showed mild interest, which manifested in a slight twitching of his cock, but at the same time he felt his head thumping. Like he was getting a serious headache. As if he had been forced to sit in a strongly perfumed chamber without any fresh air all day long. He had made this experience, when he was first forced to engage in the arts, together with ten year old Morgana and their teacher and been an old female alpha, using tons of perfume to conceal her scent. He suddenly felt reminded of these days.

“I do. And? Want an omega to mate? I bet you can’t wait to get your knot into someone?”, she whispered conspiratorially, leaning closer and closer.

Arthur grabbed his goblet, emptied it in one go and held it out, towards his manservant. “More wine, Merlin!”, he ordered.

The servant was by his side instantly, pouring. And Arthur shifted his whole intention towards him. Concentrated on the hands holding the carafe. And breathed. Imagined his smell. His omega pheromones. And felt his headache lighten immediately. He wished, he could smell him now. Actually smell him. Bury his nose deep into his scent glands. Bite him, taste him. And his trousers tightened at the thought.

“Would you also like more wine, Milady?”, Merlin asked the princess, when he was finished. Decidedly ignoring Arthur’s gaze.

“Oh no, I’ve had enough for the evening. I’m watching my consume, in favour of fertility”, Ysenda smiled at him.

“Please excuse my rudeness. Could I offer you some water, maybe?”, Merlin offered.

The rest of the evening passed just like that. The princess was heavily flirting with Arthur, who tried to ignore her and her pheromones and every now and then Merlin jumped in, using his position as Arthur’s servant to focus his attention on something else. And finally, after what felt like hours, king Bayard decided to excuse himself. Which Morgana and Arthur as well used as their own excuse to finally retire. Arthur bid Ysenda his farewell and left, Merlin following behind him.

He walked to his chambers as fast as he could without starting to run indignantly. And as soon as the door shot behind them, he took a deep breath and grabbed Merlin’s wrist. Pulled him in and buried his nose in his neck, rubbing against his scent glands and as his omega smell filled his nostrils, he sighed in relief.

“I’m well aware, that it would be wise, to push you away now...”, Merlin mumbled, wrapping his arms around him instead, to pull him closer, hold him firm against his neck.

“Then I’ll do something very stupid...”, Arthur threatened, letting his open lips slide over his soft skin. There were still hints of bruises and love bites visible, covered by Merlin’s neckerchief. And he was the cause. He liked the thought. The knowledge, that Merlin was still walking around with his marks. That he was claimed. At least in some way. Fuck, would it not be awesome, if he would smell like him, if every alpha knew, Merlin was his?

“The list of possibilities is long....”

“Hm?”, Arthur snapped out of his thoughts. Tried to recall, what they were talking about. “Oh, yes. I’d probably try to distract myself differently....”

“You’d go, hunting down her omega scent?”, Merlin mumbled. Fingertips pressing against his skin, through his clothes. He had no intention of letting him go. Obviously .

“Don’t think, I could stand her scent. It was... Okay, but not that arousing. Gave me a headache, to be honest...”, the prince told him, nibbling at his neck.

“It was much. She smelled so strong, I was sure, she must be in heat... I... I was afraid, you’d like it, even after what you said earlier... And, fuck, I know that this is not right. That you’ll marry soon. That there will be an omega marking you. Claiming you. But my brain somehow... It felt like my omega was crying, when she tried to get her scent all over you...”, the sorcerer admitted. And he hated it. He hated himself for reacting like this. That he did not seem able to remain reasonable.

“I... Needed your smell. She was fucking with my brain and I couldn’t smell you...”, Arthur replied against his neck.

“You... You did well...”

“I had to.”

“You didn’t jump her and you didn’t cause a political disaster. I think... Yes, you did very well, alpha...”

“Reward your alpha for being good?”, the blonde asked, licking his skin.

“My alpha...”, Merlin repeated with a sigh. He liked the sound of this. Had called him this in his head more times than he would ever admit, but... He knew, this was not true. Not right. Arthur would never be his! He should get used to that thought! Because that was the plan all along!

“Please?”

“Tomorrow. I’ll stay tomorrow, okay? And I’ll be back in the morning to wake you, okay?”, the omega told him, staying strong. He had to stay strong!

Arthur sighed. “Okay. Fine. And bring a second plate for breakfast...”

Merlin nodded and left. After all, he still had to eat. Would take his serving from the kitchen, wondering when exactly he had gotten used to that many regular meals. His stomach was already grumbling, complaining. Damn Arthur, always feeding him!

In the morning they had breakfast together on two plates and after his usual training with the knights, Uther had ordered him to walk the princess through the castle, show her the gardens and the town. Which he did. Like a gentleman would do, showing all the chivalry, that had been drilled into him.

But because he was the prince and she was a princess, Arthur made sure his manservant and one of her maidservants would accompany them, walking a few meters behind them, in case they needed anything. Actually in case, he could not bear with her presence any longer and needed to look at something beautiful, to refocus.

Her scent was still more than disturbing. It was nice, as the smell of an omega was supposed to be. But it was not tickling his nose, making him relax, maybe teasing him, like Merlin’s scent did, no her scent was just the worst kind of overwhelming, making him nervous.

He still was not sure, whether it was supposed to be like this, because he had never felt likebthis around an omega. He could swear, she might be in heat or close, but at the same time knew, she could not be. She was confusing him. And he hated being confused.

Actually he disliked her whole presence, but he could not just flee it. He had his duties as the crown prince. And showing royal visitors around could be one of them. It was not the first time he had done that.

“Oh, Arthur, isn’t that bracelet beautiful?”, Ysenda exclaimed, grabbing hiscarm tight, because of course he had offered his arm to her.

“You think so?”, he replied, looking at the work of art presented at the market stall.

“Yes, it’s beautiful!”, she smiled sweetly.

“I would not wear jewellery like this. It gets in the way with the armour...”, he told her, nodding at the owner of the stall and lead her somewhere else.

He could hear Merlin chuckle behind him, without actually being able to. He just knew the omega was. Because this was just such a Merlin thing to do. And he would probably look beautiful while doing so.

For a moment he thought of buying something for him. Just a small gift, a token of appreciation, maybe something going well with the colour of his eyes. But he had a princess on his arm. An omega princess, his father wanted him to marry. So he could not just stroll off to buy something for his servant. Who was walking behind him and would not be pleased. Because Merlin was Merlin. He even complained about eating with him! About getting fed properly!

“Those berries look delicious!”, princess Ysenda interrupted his thoughts.

“They grow them in the back of their houses, just outside town. A local specialty”, he explained. Because a certain omega had educated him on the strawberries of Camelot not too long ago, while being fed some, dipped in honey.

Merlin really had a sweet tooth.

“Oh, interesting!”, Ysenda smiled.

He took a coin from his purse and gave it to the woman selling the strawberries. In return, she handed him a small crafted straw basket filled with fresh, ripe berries. Then he refused, as she was trying to give him his change.

“Try them”, he offered and picked one from the basket, as they turned away from the stall, towards their servants.

Ysenda took one as well and bit into it. “Hmm...”, she made happily, chewing on the ripe fruit.

“You should try, as well!”, Arthur decided, holding out the basket towards her maidservant, who looked at the fruits in shock. Not sure what to do.

Ysenda took another one. “They are marvellous!”

“Please, try them”, the prince smiled. And Merlin stretched out his hand, took one and brought it to his mouth.

“They’re good, you should really try. Wouldn’t refuse an offer from the prince?”, he tried and bit it. Closing his eyes for a moment, to enjoy the juicy sweetness and suddenly Arthur’s eyes were glued to his lips. So he barely noticed the maidservant finally taking a berry.

Ysenda took another one and ate it. Clearly voicing her appreciation.

But Arthur didn’t care. Merlin was eating the strawberries he provided. And that was all  that mattered for the rest of the day.

He even endured the princess and managed to stay polite, until he was finally, after dinner in the hall, able to retire to his room. Of course with Merlin. Because he needed to touch. He needed to feel him after this day! After enduring that smell for so long, he needed his omega.

Which was the reason why he pulled him in, as soon, as they were alone in his chambers. Not able to hold back any longer. And Merlin wrapped his arms around him, too, rearranging him, until his nose came to rest against his neck.

“I’ve been good, haven’t I?”, he mumbled against his neck, licking the soft skin with the now almost completely faded marks. He wanted to recreate them. Mark him anew, but he knew, he should not.

“What  do you want?”, his omega asked, because... He could not deny him. Never. Not Arthur. And they had talked about this yesterday, had they not? How could he?

“I... Please, stay. I know, what I said. What we agreed on, but... Please?”, the alpha almost begged. Clinging to him.

“I... Should sleep in my own bed again. It already caught dust...”, the omega mumbled. But did nothing to shove him off. Still held him tight instead.

“I know, what you should, what we both should... But I don’t care...”, Arthur mumbled. “Not today...”

“Or tomorrow. Or next week... We’ll always find excuses, Arthur... Please, you should let go...”, the dark-haired told him. But nothing happened. They still stood by the door, holding each other close, enwrapped in each other’s pheromones.

“I know...”, Arthur sighed, inhaled deeply. And froze. Sniffed. And actually rose his head, to smell the air properly. His body tensed.

“Arthur?”, the sorcerer asked carefully. Did as he did and smelled the air.

“Shit...”, the prince made. And then there was a knock on the door. Merlin stiffened. Clung to him for a moment, but then let go. Stepped back and looked at Arthur. Shocked. Still comprehending what he was sensing. Then shifted his gaze to the door. Smelled.

There was another knock, more firm. And it sounded like someone was leaning against the door.

“Open...”, Arthur sighed. Bit his lip. Trying to hold his breath, because he knew, what was awaiting them at the other side of the door. He just did not know, what to do. What else.

Merlin nodded, then used his magic to unlock. And immediately the door swung open, silhouette stumbling inside.

“Alpha...”, princess Ysenda’s broken voice echoed through the room, as she stumbled into the room, eyes fixed on the blonde.

Arthur held his breath. Looked at her, as she came closer, unsteady. Almost falling over her own feet. She was breathing heavily. And filling the room with her smell.

“Merlin!”, the alpha choked out,  trying his best, not to breathe and looked at his servant helplessly. Maybe it would have been better, to just keep the door shut. Then this would not have been his problem. But then it would have become another’s problem. Another alpha might have stumbled upon her and this had probably not been her plan at all.

Her plan had probably been seducing him, which made him angry, but he could not just punish her by letting any other alpha just take advantage. He could not! She did not deserve this!  But at the same time, he did not want to be responsible for her! Not in this state! He could not! Not like this! She was an omega in heat! And he would definitely not fall for it! This was a trap!

He could not do this to Merlin. He would not just do this with anyone! Not with her! This, he realised, as she came closer, lost her balance and just fell forwards, towards him. But before she could reach, touch him, Merlin interjected. Caught her mid fall and steadied her.

“Hey, easy, easy. Shhhht....”, he made, as he helped her up. She was hot. Feverish. Eyes glassy. Looking all too familiar. Sweating heavily and panting. Very endearing to any alpha.

“Alpha...”, she whispered and tried to move herself closer to Arthur. Who was standing there, in the middle of the room, just staring.

“Breath, princess. In and out. You’re hyperventilating...”, Merlin mumbled soothingly.

“I need... Need Arthur...”, she said, still very unsteady, but tried to get closer to him, past the servant.

“No. You need to go back to your room, Ysenda!”, the alpha told her, voice firm. Still trying to hold his breath.

“Need you! Please, please, alpha!”, she panted, looked at him desperately. Shuddered.

“I am not your mate. You don’t need me...”

“Please! Mate me! Claim me! Alpha, please!”, Ysenda begged, bared her neck in a submissive gesture, still being held back by Merlin.

“You need to go back, please!”, Arthur said. Not able to hold his breath any longer, so he resumed to small breaths through his mouth. Inhaling as few pheromones as possible. But he could not stop a physical reaction completely. There was an omega in full heat, begging for him, offering herself to him! He felt his cock twitch in his pants, but at the same time he felt his stomach turning, like throwing up. Still remembered Merlin’s scent. Merlin so close. And he wanted this! Not her!

He was confused. His body was confused. He reacted. Had the urge to mate, to claim, but at the same time did not want her! Felt repelled by her. This was mad! Confusing!

“Take me! I’m yours! All yours, alpha!”, Ysenda begged, close to tears. Whole body shaking.

“Merlin, please! I can’t harm her. Can’t you send her to sleep or something?!”, Arthur asked, eyes searching for his omega’s. This had been a stupid idea. Fuck responsibilities, screw chivalry! He did not want to deal with this! He could not! He had no desire to mate THAT omega, heat or not!

“Mate me, claim me, please! You can’t reject me! Please!”, Ysenda cried. Tried once again, to free herself from Merlin’s grip.

“Fuck it!”, the sorcerer hissed and then send her to sleep with a spell. She collapsed in his arms almost immediately, unconscious. Carefully he dropped her onto the floor, got up and looked at his alpha. Checked on him, eyes slowly fading back to blue.

“Thanks. I, we... We need to get her to her room. She’s still... Fuck...”, Arthur told him, shuddered. He was half hard in his pants, trying to hide his reaction. Focussing on his omega. On Merlin. While standing very, very still.

“I can smell it, too. Are you... Okay?”, the servant asked, looking him up and down, decidedly ignoring his bulge.

“I’ll manage. Can you...? Arh, fuck...”, the prince tried. Looked at his slender body. Merlin was beautiful, slim. Not weak, of course, but no fighter. He had other talents. But he would not be able to carry a sleeping princess through the castle. Also: he should not. Definitely not. What if someone caught him in the middle of the night, carrying an unconscious omega princess in heat around?! He could get hanged!

“What?”

“I’ll carry her. Just come with me. Keep an eye on... On everything. Would you?”, he decided, gritting his teeth. He did not want to get close. Did not want to touch her. But they needed to get her out of here. She needed to be somewhere safe!

“Hm...”, Merlin made, disapproving. And for the first time Arthur could feel his jealousy. Which gave him a lot. Made him feel, like he could somehow handle the situation. “Fine... I’ll open your doors...”, the omega sighed then.

And Arthur pulled him in, kissed his lips, took a deep breath filled with Merlin’s pheromones and then let him go, picked up the unconscious princess and carried her towards the door. Ignoring, how wet her dress was. Ignoring pretty much everything about her.

Merlin lead the way, turning around every few meters, to keep an eye on his alpha. And so they actually made it towards the guest wing and into the room prepared for the princess. Arthur was glad to finally place her onto the bed and take a few steps back from her. She was still not showing any reaction. Which was good. So she would not cause any harm.

They both left the room, then Merlin knocked at one of the less beautifully crafted door, to wake up Ysenda’s servants. And only seconds later a sleepy beta maidservant opened the door. It was the one from before.

They described the situation as shortly as possible and then excused themselves, since they both were pretty much on edge and could not stand being anywhere close to those pheromones any longer.

Back in Arthur’s chambers, Merlin used a spell to make all traces of her pheromones vanish, then he wrapped himself around his alpha, scenting him with his own omega pheromones. Because he had to. He could not stand it any second longer! He was raging! His omega was yearning! He needed him! His scent! And then, Arthur kissed him. Greedily.

“Hnnnh...”, Merlin moaned into his mouth, relaxing. Eyes closing. His omega felt calmer, instantly.

“Bed?”, the prince suggested, planting kiss after kiss on his lips, before dipping in his tongue again.

The sorcerer nodded, but none of them made an attempt to move. They just kissed and kissed and inhaled each others scent. Enjoyed.

“I should really get you into bed…”, Arthur tried again, kissing down his jaw, over his neck.

“Arthur…”, the omega sighed, tilted his head, to give him access to his vulnerable skin. Submitting to his alpha. Suppressing his urge, to claim him instead, because… There was still this other omega...

“Want you. Need you. This whole, this thing’s driving me mad…”, the blonde growled against his neck, before sinking his teeth in. Gently. Not enough, to mark, but he was tempted. His alpha was raging, screaming. It wanted, needed, urged him to possess.

“Says you… I was scared. My omega cried for you, desperately”, Merlin admitted, legs giving in. But Arthur held him firm, steadied him, pressed him against his body.

“Fuck, don’t say that…”, the alpha panted against his neck. And then in one fluid movement, picked him up, and turned towards the bed, made two steps, then he threw him onto it. Looked down at him, lying on his sheets, like he belonged. And he belonged! He belonged, his alpha told him. Screamed at him.

“Arthur, this is not…”, Melin tried to reason, but eyed him hungrily. Licked his lips. And felt his trousers tighten. He had suffered severe anxiety in the past half hour, so this was a relief. Arthur still wanted him. Him! Though there was an omega in heat around, he still chose Merlin. Chose to want him, to claim him! And this knowledge was doing things to him.

“Fuck this. Just for now. Okay? Want you. So badly. You want me, too?”, the alpha asked, crawling onto the bed, over him, staring into his eyes.

And the dark-haired nodded. Eyes shining golden, their clothes vanished – draped themselves onto the closest chair, to be precise, because vanishing complete was not very practical – and he pulled the prince in, closer, kissed him. Conquered his mouth greedily. Because he wanted! Fuck, he wanted! His omega wanted him!

“Fuck, I love it, when you’re this insistent…”, Arthur groaned and as if to prove a point, Merlin caught his tongue between his teeth and started sucking in gently, forcing a deep growl out of his mouth.

Then he grinned and actually spun them around, so he was lying on top of his prince, letting go of his tongue, in order to actually smirk at him.

“Merlin, fuck! Aren’t you supposed to be some cute and obedient omega?”, Arthur huffed, immensely turned on and pressed his groin against his.

“You know very well, that I never do what I’m supposed to…”, the sorcerer reminded him and moved his hips, to provide some friction for both of them. Suppressed a moan.

“Like what you’re doing, though…”, the blonde told him, still a little surprised by his omega’s forwardness. But after what had happened, he did not mind this. Quite the opposite, he enjoyed the feeling of his omega being possessive.

“This is a stupid thing. We’re stupid… But I can’t help it…”, Merlin sighed, then kissed down his neck, licked over his collarbone, straddling his thighs.

“Really thought, you’d take her…”, he mumbled, kissing lower, circling Arthur’s nipple with the tip of his tongue.

“That you’d mate her. That I’d have to watch… Hated it...”, he then admitted, gently biting him, playing with his nipple in his mouth, then moving over to the other.

“This isn’t good. I know, you’re supposed to marry. You’re supposed to mate an omega soon, but… I’m not yet ready for this… Need to prepare for it…”, he whispered, bit his other nipple and sucked it in.

“Fuuuaahhhn, Merlin! If you continue doing that, I’ll… Ahn…”, Arthur moaned, hands grabbing his head, but not yet able to just shove him where he wanted him. He let him be.

“This will end in a disaster. I know it will… Gaius’ plan won’t work. Everything will go down. But, fuuuuuck, Arthur, I can’t help wanting you…”, Merlin mumbled, licking down his chest, circling his belly button, sliding lower. Rubbing his erection along his thigh.

“It won’t. We’ll figure things out. Somehow. Somehow, oh, please, right there!”, the prince whispered, trying to direct him, as he licked over the tip of his hardness. Tasted his precum.

“This is dangerous, Arthur. Very dangerous…”, the omega told him, blowing some air over his wet glans, before teasing it with his tongue.

“I like dangerous. Fuck, Merlin, suck me already!”

“So rude, so demanding. My spoilt alpha prince…”, he smiled, but complied. Opened his mouth and sucked him in. Only the tip, to tease it with his tongue further.

“Yesss, Merlin, like that… It’ll work out, somehow! Somehow! Oh, deeper, please!”, Arthur demanded, but did not push him down. Only held his head, grabbed his hair. He was a dominant alpha, but fuck, he wanted to let Merlin do, as he pleased. Because whatever this was going to become, he would like it!

What Merlin mumbled then vaguely resembled a ‘prat’, before actually taking him in properly, wrapping one hand around his swelling knot.

“Oh, holy… Yessss!”, Arthur hissed, enjoying the sensation, the heat surrounding him. The vibration the small humming noise Merlin created in his throat. And the firm grip, the pressure around his knot.

The sorcerer swallowed him down, as deep as he could, meanwhile sliding his free hand between his thighs, to wrap it around his throbbing erection.

“Oh, fuck, Merlin! I want you! Oh, please, stop, I’ll, I’ll spill…”, Arthur tried to tell him after a short while, but not really manage to pull him off. Because, fuck, it felt so good!

“Where do you want to come?”, Merlin asked, pulling away, but not fully, glans resting on his lip, looking up, into his alpha’s eyes.

“Merlin! Don’t ask me that!”

“My mouth? My face?”, the omega suggested, licking another drop of precum, while massaging his knot. Impatiently pumping his own dick. “Or my chest? Want to come on my breast? Or… Do you want to fuck me?”, he suggested, panting.

“Merlin!”, Arthur hissed, eyes wide, pupils dilated. He was close. And Merlin’s dirty words did not help the slightest to regain his control.

“You want to cum inside me?”, the omega concluded, placing a kiss on his tip.

“Please… Please!”, the blonde begged, staring at him.

“I want your alpha cum in me, Arthur. Would you like that? Would you fuck me with your dripping cock?”

This was too much. Arthur could not handle any more word from his omega. He was losing his mind. And he wanted to come so badly. And yes, fuck, yes, he wanted to spill inside him! Fill him with his seed, drown his insides in his semen. He wanted to fill him up, impregnate him with his cum! And oh fuck, he wanted him so badly! His cheeky, sassy omega, who had no idea, how to watch his mouth.

So Arthur gathered his strength for a last, almost desperate attack. He grabbed Merlin by his shoulders, yanked him off his twitching erection and next to him, face first onto the mattress, pressing him into it with one hand, while spreading his legs with the other, to kneel between them. His cock was hurting. He was so close! But he could not just mount him!

“Holy fuck, Arthur!”, the sorcerer moaned into the mattress, unable to move, so he just wiggled his ass helplessly. Well, there went his power. Arthur was taking over now. He could, of course, regain control, if he really wanted. Tie him to the bed with his magic, but why would he? This was very enjoyable, as well. Very. His omega was yearning for more, trying to present his hole, submitting to the display of alpha dominance.

“Spread your legs for me!”, Arthur ordered and placed both his hands on his cheeks, as he was sure, he would not protest further.

“Yesssss…”, Merlin hissed, doing as he was told, presenting his entrance. He was wet. Not leaking slick, like he would in his heat, but he felt prepared. He wanted this alpha cock!

Arthur licked his lips. Watched the twitching hole, then leaned in. Because he could. Because he wanted. He wanted to taste. Open him up and come inside him. So he licked along his crack, down to the balls and back up again, circled the entrance and then licked into him, making the omega cry out loud.

He speared him on his tongue, fucked him with it, then inserted two fingers, to spread him apart. Merlin was soft and ready for him. Hole leaking with Arthur’s spit and his own body fluid. Looking so ready, willing, wanting.

And Arthur had to restrain himself. Focus his thoughts and blindly search his nightstand for a small vile of oil he was keeping there, since... Well, since Merlin. He opened it and poured its contents onto his rim. Spread the oil and then finally lined himself up, took himself in hand and lead his tip towards the entrance.

“Oh, holy shit, Arthur!”, Merlin moaned, raising his butt further, to give him better access and then, finally, Arthur slid inside.

“Merlin. My omega, so, so tight for me...”, the alpha growled, voice low, restraint, because he wanted to be inside him. Now! Wanted to shove his dick all the way in, knot him! Spill inside him! Fuck, he was so close! Definitely would not last!

“Fuck, yes, deeper. Knot me, alpha...”, the sorcerer exclaimed, then bit into the blankets. And then Arthur was all the way inside, only pushing in his knot, because he could not stop. Not now. He was so close. He wanted to be fully inside him. Spill into him.

“Merlin, can’t hold it. So tight around my knot, fuck!”, the blonde panted and as he was fully inside, he felt his omega’s muscles clench him tight. So very tight. And then, Merlin’s body started trembling all over. Tensing. And Arthur felt his orgasm not only in his dick, but everywhere. His whole body was affected by Merlin’s climax, leading to him coming too, without any form of movement. It was fine. It was enough. He was coming inside his omega. Filling him up. Knotting him. Feeling save and relaxed. His inner alpha completely satisfied.

“What’s this?”, Arthur asked about an hour later, as he stumbled over to his wardrobe, in search for a nightshirt.

“What?”, Merlin mumbled sleepily, looking at him.

“This”, the prince said, picking up something from the floor, carrying it over to the bed.

Merlin blinked. Then sat up to examine, what  had there. “Oh...”, he then made. And his eyes widened in surprise. “Oh!”

“What?!”, a naked alpha wanted to know, looking at the small bundle of dried herbs, tied together with a thread.

The sorcerer took it from him, examined it closer, smelled it, and twisted his mouth. “Fuck, throw that away! Don’t want that close to me!”, he then demanded, holding it out to Arthur, as far away from him, as possible.

“What’s this?”, the prince wanted to know, but did, what he asked. Opened his window and threw it out, because Merlin looked, like he was scared. And he would not have his omega scared of anything in his presence!

Nightshirt forgotten, he sat back onto the bed and looked at him.

“Those herbs can make an omega go into heat, when consumed for three days in a row... Would explain the smell... I thought, something was off...”, the sorcerer concluded.

“So, she did it on purpose?”, Arthur wanted to know, getting under the blankets, close to the omega. Immediately, Merlin came closer, snuggled up against him.

“Most omegas know about those herbs. It’s a thing mothers warn their omega children of. Alphas, some alphas, could use it to manipulate you and claim you. Since her mother’s an omega, too, I’m quite sure, she must have known. And... Well, she had been eager to mate with you...”, the dark-haired explained. Head resting on his chest. Listening to Arthur’s heartbeat.

“So, she’s a bitch, wanting to take advantage of the situation?”

“She wanted you to take advantage of her. I think. She knocked on your door, after all...”

“I’ll inform my father of this. And then, we’ll leave the castle. I can’t be around, when she’s in heat. I’ll ride out. Hunting. With you. He can’t refuse, after this betrayal. We’ll stay in one of the huts in the forest.”, Arthur decided.

“I shouldn’t come. Just take some of your knights. I suck at hunting anyway...”

“Want you with me. Plus, you said, that her smell’s irritating you, too...”

“Because my omega wants to scratch her eyes out for getting close to you... I’m fine. You’ll need the fresh air...”

“And you’ll come, too. Don’t want to take the knights and father won’t let me ride out all by myself. My life saving servant would be great company. He had no reason to disagree, or... You really don’t wanna?”, the prince pouted.

“I wanna. Be with you, I mean. I just don’t think, it’s smart. What if someone will notice?”, Merlin asked.

“We have ridden out alone dozens of times, Merlin. For years. No one gives a damn about me going hunting with my useless manservant...”

“Hm... True...”

“So? You’ll come?”

“Only if you take pity on my poor rear! I’ll need to sit on horseback the whole day, I suppose. So we’ll ride slowly!”

“Promise...”, Arthur smiled, placing his hand on Merlin’s butt, gently patting it.

Chapter Text

They rode out around noon. Arthur had gone to his father in the first rays of sunlight, waking him up from peaceful slumber, to inform him of the incidents of the night.

Uther had been shocked to learn what princess Ysenda must have done and had of course granted Arthur a hunting trip with his servant. Because her smell would be hard to bear for his unbound son. He would have a serious discussion with king Bayard on this matter, was what he had told him.

After, prince and sorcerer had slept for two more hours, because the night had been very short, then they had prepared.

Gaius had taken Merlin to side and talked to him about the matter, but had in the end agreed to let them go. Once again telling the sorcerer to be careful. And had handed them a large amount of supplies, in case their hunting would not be successful.

“We’ll reach the hut by evening. Tomorrow we can actually start with the hunting, today it’s way too late!”, Arthur told his servant, who was riding next to him, now that no one was watching them. They were not riding fast, for reasons they had agreed on before.

“I see. Will I need to dust it or had someone recently been there?”

“I have no idea, actually. But I’m sure, you can make it cosy within seconds...”, he smiled.

“You’re far too comfortable with this... Shouldn’t you at least prevent me from using it, or something?”, the sorcerer sighed.

“You said, it’s part of you. So, why shouldn’t I be comfortable with who you are?”, Arthur shrugged.

“Because it’s a crime punishable with death? Uther would kill me right on the spot! Or because you used to hate it? Or maybe because it threatened your life several times?”, Merlin suggested.

“It saved my life several times... You did...”, the prince just smiled.

“Okay, true. But it’s still strange to see you embracing it that easily...”

“I’m embracing you. Also: it’s handy. You do many things with it. And... Sometimes it tickles. I think...”, he hold him. Blushing slightly.

“It tickles?”, Merlin exclaimed, flinching and almost falling off the horse. Staring at him in disbelief.

“Yes. When we’re in bed it sometimes feels, like something’s tickling me. But it’s a good tickle. It’s warm. Is that bad?”, Arthur wanted to know, stopping his horse.

“I, err... Fuck. You noticed?”, the sorcerer snapped, wide eyed.

“Is that a bad thing?” , Arthur repeated.

“I... I don’t think so. It’s just... It’s a wild thing sometimes. It’s a part of me, of course, but it sometimes does things on its own. It sometimes reaches out. Sorry for that. I’ll try to control it...”, Merlin mumbled, looking at the leaves on the ground. Fidgeting with the reins in his hands.

“Can you?”

“What?”

“Control it.”

“I think? I hope.”

“Can you do it on purpose?”

“Do, what?!”

“Reach out. I want to feel it.”

“You can’t be serious?!”, Merlin gasped. Now staring at him again.

“I am. Show me?”, the prince smiled, reaching out with his hand, offering his palm. He was serious. He could not be serious! After years of fear, of hiding, he was just like this? Just accepting it? Accepting that he did not even have full control? This could not be true! Arthur had finally gone insane!  Okay, maybe had been for nearly three months, but still...

“You serious?”

“So you can’t do it?”, Arthur dared him with a smirk. And if course he had to! This man was his certain death one day!

“Of course, I can!”, the sorcerer pouted, then stretched out his hand, not touching, holding it above the blonde’s palm. Let his magic flow through him. Allowing it to tickle in his fingertips, to spread and to finally reach out. It willingly did. Gently caressed Arthur’s hand, exploring. Curious. It wanted to get to know him. But Merlin held it back. Because it was his  core, his innermost self and he could not just have it roam around freely. He was glad, it did not fight him. It liked Arthur, did not want to harm him. Disliked, to not he unleashed, but did not struggle.

“Feels nice...”, the prince sighed. Eyes closed. Concentrating on the feeling.

“Consider yourself lucky, it likes you...”, Merlin whispered. Knowing ‘like’ was not the fitting word. It loved him. His magic loved Arthur. Wanted to cherish him, protect him. And it had let him get close. Let him touch, without harming him.

“I am. Very lucky...”, the alpha smiled.  “It’s protecting you, so I feel honoured...”

“Prat...”, Merlin huffed with a gentle smile. Restraining his magic, because it wanted to flow into Arthur. Get to know him, wrap itself around him. And he could not let it. Because that would be something final, something he was afraid of. He did not know why, but  he just knew.

“It’s fading...”, Arthur mumbled.

“It can’t just do what it wants. Can’t have that”, the sorcerer explained. Pulled back, regretting it immediately. He wanted to feel him more. Because he liked the tickling. How it reacted towards Arthur. How exited it got. But that was not good.

“I see. Wanna ride on?”

“Lead the way, I have no idea where we’re going...”

“I’m the prince, I always lead!”, Arthur smirked and gave his horse a nudge.

“Maybe you should learn, how to follow? Would do wonders for your ego...”, Merlin suggested, riding behind him.

“I am an alpha, I’m meant to lead!”

“You wouldn’t mind... Nah, nevermind...”

“What? What do you want to say?”

“Nothing at all, Sire”, the sorcerer grinned, riding right behind him.

“He did what?!”, Morgana exclaimed staring at the king. She had wondered what was going on in the castle since the early morning, but no one had bothered to tell her so far, so she interrupted the council meeting, demanding answers, because: Arthur and Merlin rode out if Camelot, Princess Ysenda’s door was highly guarded and king Bayard was accompanied by knights of Camelot, whenever he moved. This was highly suspicious.

“Morgana, watch your temper. You cannot let your feelings overwhelm you”, Uther reminded her. He had given in to her demand and told her the points of discussion of the meeting she just interrupted.

“Forgive me, my king”, she mumbled, attempting a slight bow. “But... How could they?!”, she added, now more composed, though still not able to believe, what she had heard.

“Apparently princess Ysenda has consumed herbs, that triggered her heat. And in that state she had tried to force a union with my son”, Uther explained to her, again.

“So king Bayard has planned this, I suppose?”, she concluded.

“Arthur did not seem interested in a nunion with her and Mercia. So, I suppose, they wanted to rush the procedures...”

“We can’t have that! They can’t just do that to Camelot! He tried to force Arthur to mate his daughter, didn’t he?”, Morgana said. Now obviously part of the meeting, since he king was addressing her and none of the old men would ever dare to ask her, to leave, though it was not her place to speak. She was an omega. And the king’s ward, not even a legitimate member of the royal household, since Uther had not bothered to acknowledge her as his daughter.

“We were planning on having them mate, anyway”, the king informed her.

“But he was undermining your authority by forcing it, didn’t he? My king, I am certain, he has committed a serious crime”, the Lady told him.

“I know. It is not right. I don’t like it. But... I don’t want a war. We can’t loose Bayard as an ally against Cendred....”, Uther explained. 

“Sire, I think, we might have an option. A way to handle this trespassing”, Gaius attempted, still thinking.

“Please! You can’t let him get his will, after he pulled this!”, Morgana said.

“I see your points, but…”

“Prince Arthur is of great value for the kingdom of Camelot. King Bayard trying to mate him with his omega daughter without a legitimate contract cannot be accepted. He greatly insulted you, with his action. He attempted to reach for Camelot’s crown!”

“An attack at the crown?”, Uther asked.

“Of course, Sire! This could mean war!”

“But we can not go to war against Mercia…”

“We know that, Sire…”

“Go on, Gaius?”

“King Bayard is not aware that we are not willing to risk war. This brings us in a position where we can negotiate. We can call off the whole negotiations and might even be able to gain profit and loyalty from this incident, without giving up our perfectly fine alpha prince”, the physician explained.

“You mean, we could still use Arthur as a bait?”, Morgana asked.

“We can use him to negotiate conditions with several possible allies”, Gaius confirmed.

“This…. Is a valid argument…”, Uther mumbled. Looked around. The other council member, mostly older alphas, nodded.

“He does not have to marry, yet. We still have time, until he needs to give the kingdom an heir…”, one of the men confirmed.

“So, you’re gonna sell him off the the one giving the best offer?”, Morgana asked her father.

“Not yet. Right now it seems, he is more valuable unbound…”, Uther told her.

“More valuable?”, she repeated, but then caught Gauis’ warning gaze and bit her tongue.

“Indeed”, Uther looked at her. “He is valuable to the kingdom and it is his duty to do anything he can for the good of Camelot!”

“I see. Thank you for your time, Milord”, she smiled, bowed and left the hall. Not sure, what to think of all this. But her half-brother not marrying some omega princess he did not even like, seemed fine. And she was sue, Uther would negotiate some interesting terms for the good of Camelot, that did not involve Arthur’s hand. Or knot.

She would retreat for now, bored without her maidservant and favourite brother to tease and no Merlin to practise magic with, but she would try some scrying on her own. She was getting pretty good with it, using her water basin, since she would not dare asking for a crystal ball.

“You gotta be kidding! There has definitely no one been here for at least two years!”, Merlin complained, coughing, as he entered the small hut used for hunters, who wanted to spend the night in the forest. Which… No one had done for quite a while, he noted.

“Hm… It’s a little dusty…”, Arthur agreed, looking around, while dropping their supplies t9o the floor. It was really not big. Just one room with a small table, a straw mattress on the ground and some more piled up in one corner. The only thing standing out was a fireplace with some ash left in it. And dust. And spiderwebs. Lots of spiderwebs. Everywhere.

“A little?!”

“Nothing you can’t just…”, the prince made a hand gesture, implying the use of magic, Merlin assumed.

“Or you could just dust in here?”

“I’m the prince! Do you think, I’d dust the cabin?”

“Would be a welcome change…”, the sorcerer teased.

“Use your magic already! You’re doing it all the time, anyway!”, Arthur ordered, inhaling the dust and sneezing.

“Fine, fine, just don’t die on me, strong ans mighty alpha”, Merlin laughed at the coughing prince, but then cast a spell to remove all the dust and spiderwebs, leaving the room neat and clean.

“Hey! I’m your alpha, don’t insult me!”, the blonde protested. And bit his tongue about two seconds later, as he realised, what this must have sounded like.

“I can insult you all I like”, the omega replied, ignoring the implication, crossing his arms in front of his chest.

“You’re my servant!”

“And you’re a prat!”, he said, sticking out his tongue.

“You haven’t been to the stocks in three months. Maybe we should get you there, more often, again? You seem to loose all your respect for me...”

“Would mean, I had some from the beginning...”

“Oh, you cheeky bastard!”, Arthur growled and pretty much just jumped onto him. Tried to wrestle him down, to the ground, to show his dominance, get on top of him, but the sorcerer struggled.

“Stop that! Hey! What’re you doing?!”, Merlin complained, freeing his hands, trying to push him off, spin them around. He would not let him have an easy win.

“Showing you your place”, the alpha grinned.

“Forget it! I’m not having that! Stop it! Hey!”

“I’m stronger than you!”

“Cheater!”, the dark-haired screamed, still trying to push him off.

“Not cheating. I’m just stronger. Try to defeat me, I have years of training!”, Arthur told him, now managing to actually pin him down and hold him there.

“Okay, you use your talents...”, Merlin smirked, suddenly becoming very still under him. For a moment the blonde was certain of his win. And then, magic rushed through him. Caressed his skin, leaving a tickle. And all of a sudden it was Arthur, pushed to the ground held firm, hands above his head, tied down in invisible shackles.

Merlin, now sitting on his thighs, grinned at him.

“Cheater!”, the prince accused him.

“I’m only using my talents, Arthur....”, the omega reminded him, clicking his tongue mockingly.

“Oh, so this was, what you meant back then…”, Arthur realised.

“Hm?”

“When we first met. I threatened you, telling you, I could take you down in one blow. Remember, what you said?”

“I could take you down with less...”, his servant replied. Like he had back then. Remembered clear as day, how this encounter went. And how close he had been, to leak his secret to the one person who should never have found out. Which, in retrospect, had not worked out too well, since now Arthur was well aware and even embraced his magic. So much for plans...

“Well, you took me down...”

“Indeed...”

“Will you let me go now?”, Arthur asked, lying still. Watching him expectantly.

“Hmmm... I think, this is quite becoming...”, the sorcerer smirked. “I might keep you like this a while longer...”

“You are kidding…”

“I’m afraid, I’m quite serious… I like the way you look. Quite endearing to see you like this…”, Merlin admitted, still sitting on him. Licking his lips. He was telling the truth. Liked the way Arthur looked under him.

“Oh. Ohhhh!”, Arthur realised, eyes going wide. And then reciprocated the smirk. “You like to be on top? Cheeky omega…”

“I’m not good with doing as I’m told, so…”

“Oh, you can be very good, if you really want something…”, he grinned, showing his canines. Not noticeably sharper than regular beta teeth would be, but the gesture made hm look even more like an alpha.

“Some goes for you… C’mon, show me how nice you can be, when someone’s overpowering you…”, Merlin told him, leaning over him, towards his ear. “Will you be good for me, alpha?”, he whispered into his ear.

“Fuck…”, was Arthurs reply and he could feel the body under him tense. It was working. He had no idea, what he was actually trying to do – had no plan at all – but he liked where this was going.

“Will you be good for me?”, he whispered, tilting his head, so the prince could smell him better. So his alpha would know, who it was, doing this to him.

“You’re my omega! You are supposed to submit to me!”, the blonde hissed. Buckling his hips, trying to force him off, but not very efficiently. Actually he just rubbed his groin against Merlin’s stomach, which did not help at all.

“Prat…”, the omega chided, shaking his head mockingly. “You might be an alpha, but I am very good at being in charge, as well…” He pressed his stomach against the alpha’s groin and grinned at the moan escaping him. Somehow it was quite a turn-on. Which was quite surprising to find out. He had not expected this at all. Just did not want to let him get away with everything.

“Merlin, are you… Is this going to be some sort of game?”, the alpha wanted to know, licking his lips nervously.

“Want to play?”, the sorcerer offered, sounding way more secure than he actually felt. His omega instincts were not very helpful in that matter.

“Fuck, you shouldn’t be this… You have no right to just hold me down and…”, Arthur tried to explain, but his cock twitched in his trousers and gave away, how his body actually reacted to the idea.

“You like it…. So? Want this to go on, or…?”, Merlin wanted to confirm, because he was getting the signals, but he did not want to do anything his alpha actually disliked, because… Well, Arthur had respected him, as well. And while he loved teasing his prince, he would never actually do anything to harm him.

“If I… I mean, what would go on? What are you planning, Merlin?”, Arthur wanted to know. Taking deep breaths, to calm himself down. He was aroused, but obviously nervous.

“I… I Think I’d like to play with this a little… With being in charge. Showing you your place, if you know, what I mean… I mean, I could strip you easily like this, all tied to the floor. I could touch you all I like without you being able to fight me off… I could do whatever I want with you…”, Merlin explained, licking his lips. He liked the idea. Very much, though he had no idea, where it actually came from. It’s not like he actually had ever had  a fantasy like this. Just… Sometimes… Well, maybe a little… Paying Arthur back for what he usually did to him, in his mind. Making him clean and fold the laundry and put on his shoes, kneeling on the floor, looking up to him and… Oh, fuck, maybe it had been a fantasy after all?

“I… Fuck, Merlin…”, Arthur mumbled, moving against his servant, now definitely trying to get some friction.

“Yes or no, Arthur? Can I?”, the omega wanted to know, moving with him.

“Will it hurt?”

“What?”

“Will it hurt, when you…”, Arthur asked, blushing. Not meeting his gaze and going very still.

“Oh, oh, I… I didn’t think… Do you want that?”, the sorcerer asked, taking a moment and then starting to comprehend what his alpha was thinking. Must be thinking. And actually THAT thought had not even crossed his mind. He had thought of a little teasing maybe, showing him, what he could do, making him beg for more, but… Now that Arthur mentioned it…

“I… I don’t like pain. But… I wouldn’t mind, if you wanted to, that is… Fuck, don’t make me say it…”, the alpha mumbled.

“You would actually let me fuck you?”, Merlin needed to confirm, lowering himself down, to kiss his cheek. Again. Again, kissing towards his mouth and finally placing his lips on his alpha’s in a gentle peck.

“Don’t say it…”

“But you would?” It was not unheard of. There were even alphas preferring it that way. But it was not very common for an alpha to… Well, to spread his legs. Gwaine did this all the time and did not really keep silent about it, but for the prince, for a dominant alpha, it was sure nothing one would expect. So Merlin had actually never once even considered this. But now, that he was thinking about it… He could not deny, he liked the idea of actually claiming his alpha in that way.

Arthur did not reply. Instead he lay very still breathing against his face, before he slowly nodded, eyes closed. Full of shame.

“Do you actually WANT?”, the sorcerer asked again, gently kissing the corner of his mouth.

“I’ve never… Thought about it, but… I feel okay, if it’s you… I think…”, the prince mumbled.

“You don’t have to, if you don’t want. I wouldn’t do anything you hate…”

“Wouldn’t hate it… Just… A little scared…”, he admitted. And Merlin knew how much this alpha hated to admit that he was scared. So that actually meant that he wanted, right? He was not just misinterpreting things. Arthur really wanted him to, to… Oh fuck, he would actually get inside him!

“Want me to hold you down, while I do it, or shall I just hold you gently? Which do you prefer?”, the omega whispered, showering him in kisses.

“I… Don’t know…”

“We’ll find out?”, he mumbled.

“How much did you drink this time?”, Percival sighed, leaning against the door frame, arms crossed.

“Not that much, I swear! I made it back, didn’t I”, Gwaine slurred, steadying himself by grabbing the chair more tightly than was strictly necessary. He gad stumbled through his door loud enough to wake his next door neighbour.

“You volunteered to lead the training tomorrow. Today…”

“Yeah, but that’s inna mornin!”

“In four hours, Gwaine. No one minds you spending the nights out sleeping with whoever, but if you can’t be fit in the morning, it becomes a problem…”, the big knight sighed, watching him trying to get out of his clothes. Well, ‘trying’ nailed it, because he did not manage to pull the shirt over his head without losing his balance.

“Shaddap, I’ll manage! You’re just jealous!”, Gwaine accused him, now hopelessly entangled in his clothes.

“Of what exactly?”, Percival huffed, but took pity on him and entered the room, still in his nightshirt, to help him out of this mess. Out of modesty, he closed the door behind him, though sure, the other would not mind.

“You knowwww!”, Gwaine complained, muffled by his tunic.

“Yes, I know. I’m soooo jealous of whoever drenched you in their pheromones this time…”, the short haired sighed and actually managed to get him out of the fabric. Now his friend was standing there, bare chested and still a little unsteady, aiming for a lopsided grin.

“You mi~ind!”, he accused.

“Gwaine, I DO mind, when you’re fucking with our schedule. This fling with that brunette boy, the squire, it made you almost miss training three times in a week!”, Percival sighed.

“So you do mind….”, Gwaine mumbled, fingertip pressing into the bigger one’s chest. Maybe he was leaning towards him more than was necessary, but he had problems to stay upright.

“I have no problem with you getting drunk and fucking the whole castle, whole Camelot, for all I care, but stop being irresponsible! You’re gonna be late again! And no, the heat pheromones in the air are no excuse!”

“But he smelled soooo good, Perce…. Was ‘n omega. Really cute, you wouldn’t ‘ve resi-, res-, You’d have taken him on spot!”

“So you’re not only drunk on ale, but on omega pheromones as well?…”, Percival asked, rolling his eyes.

“Need to get that princess’ stuff out. ,’ts irritating. But that omega servant’s wonderful, y’know…”, Gwaine slurred, leaning forward, eyes glassy. Ending up leaning against his chest. “You’d have, too…”

“I certainly wouldn’t…”

“Liar… You’re affected by that fucking princess stuff, too. Also, you can still smell him on me, can’t you?”

“Gwaine, are you really gonna play this dirty?”, the big knight asked, looking down at a nest of dark brown slightly curled hair, now damp from sweat.

“I’ll be up in the morning, gonna do the training, just….”

“Just?”, Percival sighed. Knowing exactly, what his next words would be. Because they always were.

“Help me get it out of the system?”, the drunk alpha asked.

“Sleep, Gwaine. I’ll make sure to get you out of bed in time....”, the big knight replied. And he knew that there went his night’s sleep. Because now he was responsible for Gwaine being on time.

“Fuck me?”, the drunk suggested.

“Sleep...”, Percival demanded, looking down at him using the strong voice of his alpha, because, well, that worked. At least that worked.  “Now!”, he growled and pushed Gwaine off him, onto the bed.

“Please?”

“Gwaine?!”, he threatened him. And Gwaine complied, whimpering quietly, without taking the glassy eyes off him. Because even though, he was an alpha as well, he knew that Percival was more dominant. Stronger. So he would comply, even in this state. Would know, he could be overpowered easily. He even bared his neck out of instinct.

“Good boy...”, Percival praised him.

Merlin had moved them to the straw mattress in front of the fireplace. Or rather to a nest he had improvised with two mattresses and a few pillows he had conjured up out of nowhere. And blankets.

They were naked. Arthur’s arms were placed over his head, held to the straw by soft, yet strong magic. By the most comfortable shackles he had ever felt. Because they had agreed on it. The fire in the fireplace was crackling peacefully, warming the room. The nights had been mild now, that June had come, but they did not want to get cold.

Merlin was kneeling between Arthur’s opened legs, kissing him, playing with his tongue, while gently stroking his sides with his fingertips. Slowly the alpha relaxed. He had been incredibly tense at the beginning.

He suppressed the urge to ask him if it was still alright, once again. He had done it about ten times now, not wanting to hurt his alpha, but decided that it was enough. He did not want to spoil the mood any further. Instead he concentrated on relaxing him further. Kissing him and caressing him, exploring his body. Learning how it reacted to his touch, when Arthur had no chance, to interfere.

“Good?”, he asked into his ear instead and licked over the soft skin of his earlobe.

“Hmmm...”, was the answer. Arthur’s eyes were closed, but not pressed shut, which was a good sign.

Merlin licked down his neck, like his alpha had done so many times. Like they both loved to do when they lay together. He circled his scent glands and then bit down. The rush of pheromones exploding in his nose and mouth was breath-taking. He felt his entrance sickening almost instantly. His omega reacting.

“Oh, hnnnnn!”, Arthur moaned, exposing his neck in a very untypical, but not any less hotter gesture. So Merlin did it again. And again. Not hard enough, to actually leave any kind of mark. Did not dare to push the limit, but he dwelled in the feeling.

He kissed and licked and bit down, over his shoulder, his collarbone, to the blonde’s hard nipples. Played with the buds, before sliding down further, until he reached Arthur’s leaking cock. He licked the precum, tasted him. Then kissed his tip, while caressing his hips, letting his hands wander lower, over his thighs, towards their insides, stroking the vulnerable skin.

“Fuck, Merlin!”, Arthur breathed, opened his legs reflexively. Giving him more space.

“Arthur...”, the omega panted, sitting up, enjoying the view. And he was not sure, how to go on. His instincts were telling him, to spear himself on that twitching cock, to ride him, slick as he was, but his cheeky, disobedient self would rather watch his prince fall apart under him. Enjoy the present Arthur was giving to him. Himself.

He spread his legs and held them up, so he could nibble at his tights, drawing a moan from Arthur’s lips.

“’ts good. So good...”, the alpha moaned.

“You’re good. So beautiful, alpha...”, Merlin replied, nuzzling closer towards his groin, rubbing his nose against Arthur’s balls. His alpha smelled so good, down here as well. More musky, than on his neck. And so very endearing. So he kissed the sensitive skin of his balls, up the root of his dick, along his scrotum again and lower, down his perineum.

“Oh, fuck!”, the alpha groaned, as he licked over his tight hole.

Encouraged, the sorcerer did it again, circled the hole with his tongue, while caressing his thighs. Ignoring the leaking alpha cock. The knot that was starting to swell.

“Ready for my finger?”, he wanted to know, because, fuck, Arthur was tight. So very tight. He could not get inside with his tongue, without pressing.

“Hn-n”, his prince made, nodding his head. Biting his lower lip.

“I’m gonna use oil. Just relax for me, will you?”, Merlin smiled gently and kissed his skin. Then he grabbed the vile of oil he had taken out of one of their saddle bags and opened it with a glare. His magic was very compliant, like it always was, when it involved Arthur. And... Well, things to do with Arthur. Like this. Or... The other things...

He let some of the oil drip onto Arthur’s skin, down, to his entrance and smeared it over it with two fingers. Spread the fluid everywhere and then teased the entrance with one fingertip.

“Oh, that’s... That’s good...”, the alpha sighed.

“You’re so fucking tight... Let me open you up, okay?”, Merlin whispered, his own rock hard dick leaking precum, just as wet as his twitching hole. He was fascinated by the view. By Arthur’s oily anus. By his finger carefully dipping in. Disappearing into him.

“Ah, oh, fuck!”, the blonde moaned, trying to pull back, but unable to move much.

“Shall I stop?”

“No, no, don’t!”, he exclaimed. “I mean... It’s strange. But don’t stop...”

“Okay. I’ll go slow. Just go in for now...”, Merlin explained, sliding in further, until his finger was all the way inside. “You’re very tight. Can I move it a little?”

“I... Yes. Okay....”

The sorcerer started moving his finger. Exploring his insides, without pulling back, yet. He just wanted to get familiar with it first.

It took a moment, but then he felt his prince relax. Making it easier to move. To feel. And then, with the tip of his finger, he found a slightly firmer spot inside of Arthur, rubbing against it.

“Ahhn! Fuck, what’s that?!”, was the confused reaction.

“What do you think? You’re so good with it...”, Merlin told him and teased this part one again.

“Fuck, I... Didn’t expect... Can you... More?”

“More pressure, or...?”

“Finger. One more!”, Arthur demanded, pratty as he could be. Because he was a prat. An alpha prat!

“As you wish...”, the dark-haired smiled and removed his finger carefully, played around his hole, then came back with two oily fingers and slid them in slowly. Spread his hole open.

“Nhh....”

“Breath. Don’t try to hold it, relax, alpha...”, he whispered. Stilled and watched him.

“Stroke me?”, Arthur asked, trying to struggle against his shackles. To free his hands.

“Need some distraction?”, the omega realised, then his eyes turned gold and all of a sudden the blonde was unable to move his spread legs. It was like he was tied by an invisible rope  not uncomfortable, but he could not move any more.

Which lead to Merlin having one more free hand. That he wrapped around Arthur’s shaft, holding him firm, as he slowly slid the two fingers in slowly.

“Fuck, Merlin!”, Arthur exclaimed mouth agape, because he had not expected this.

“Not yet. I’ll fuck you on my fingers, soon...”, the omega promised, moving his hand up and down Arthur’s cock.

“Hnn, fuck, why are you this, this... Ahhnn, like this!”

“You like it?”, Merlin smiled, now all the way in with the two fingers. After a few strokes, he started exploring again. Gently moving the fingers inside.

“Hmm, yes. I think. Strange, but good...”, the prince admitted. Moaned, as his servant found his prostate again.

“You’re hot. It’s hot to see you like this...”, the sorcerer told him. “You have no idea, how slick I am right now... My omega is so turned on by this....”

“Merlin! Can’t say things like that!”

“Fuck, you’re way too tight....”, he panted, trying to spread his fingers inside him, but the resistance was too much. It did not work.

“Want you, Merlin. Need you...”, Arthur mumbled. Looked at him. And their eyes met. The omega stilled. One hand still on his cock.

“Change of plan?”, he then suggested, licking his lips. Gaze dropping down, to the alpha’s hardness.

“I’m in...”

“Soon...”, Merlin smirked, slowly removing his fingers, not without teasing his hole further, and then, when his hand was free, he reached behind himself, to check how wet he already was. Which turned out to be very wet. Not yet ready, but close enough, so he could press three fingers inside himself at once, starting to stroke his alpha again.

“Holy shit, Merlin!”, Arthur groaned, as he realised, what he was doing. But he was unable to move. To react. He just had to watch his omega’s eyelids fluttering, as he prepared himself.

“Just a moment. Gimme... Oh, fuck, I want you....”, Merlin moaned, trying to focus on him. On his cock. But his attention was slipping to what his fingers were doing, before he abruptly pulled back completely, letting go of himself and his alpha.

Panting, he evaluated the situation, their position. And concluded, that Arthur’s legs had all the wrong angle for him to hunt his own pleasure. So he rearranged them, not letting his magic grip loosen, so he could sit on his thighs, sliding upwards, until he could position himself directly over the twitching alpha cock.

“Fuck. Let me go. Wanna fuck you!”, Arthur demanded, watching him. And then they both moaned, as Merlin lowered himself on him, glans sliding into him easily.

“Ahhhh.... No! Like you like this...”, the omega told him, whole body trembling. He placed his hands on Arthur’s chest to steady himself.

“Merlin!”, the blonde growled in a deep, dangerous voice. But he could do nothing. Nothing at all. He could barely move. And did not yet dare to move his hips, to just thrust into him, even though he wanted to. So desperately. He wanted to fuck him, to touch him, to hold him, to claim him! Now!

“Just... A moment. Still need to take your knot....”, Merlin panted, still sinking onto him. Slowly, until finally he was all the way inside, until even his not yet fully swollen knot was in him.

“Fuck! Let me go! Need to fuck you! Now!”

“Still, alpha, still”, he soothed his impatient not-mate, biting his own lip, head tilted back, to dwell in the moment. His penis was leaking precum onto Arthur’s stomach. Then he gave in to the urge and slowly started moving his hips, changing the angle of the hardness in him. “Oh... Hnnn...”, he made.

“Move, Merlin! Fucking do it already! You can’t just, like that....”, the prince complained, started rutting into him impatiently, still unable to move arms and legs.

“Arthur, fuck! Oh, shit....”, Merlin cursed, moving against his motions, to create a rhythm. Speed increasing. Until his was bobbing up and down, properly riding the alpha’s cock, hands grabbing his shoulders. Moaning obscenely.

“Merlin! Merlin, oh fuck, Merlin! Release me! Please! Please!”, the blonde begged, staring at him, taking in his beauty.

“Like you... Like this. Can do, what I want with you... My alpha, ahnn, can do all I like....”, Merlin moaned, riding him faster and faster, spearing himself on the hard alpha cock, feeling the knot swelling inside him. He was getting close. So very close. Would definitely cum from just this, from riding him, without any further touch.

“Want to touch you! Merlin, let go! Need to, you! Need you!”, Arthur exclaimed. He felt his own orgasm approaching, but he did not want it, not yet. He needed to feel his omega! Now!

“Arthur, fuck, don’t just say... Argh, fine!”, the sorcerer hissed and released him with not more than a thought. His magic complied, but rushed through the alpha, given the opportunity, caressed him.

And then Arthur’s hands were free and he grabbed the omega, to pull him down, against his chest, positioning his feet, to properly rut into him.  To kiss him messily, taste his mouth, before biting down his neck, so close to his scent glands, so close to his mating point, where he would mark an omega as his. And with a deep, loud growl, he came. Spilled into Merlin, holding him tight.

“Ahnnnn!”, Merlin moaned into his ear, body trembling, dick rubbing against Arthur’s chest, as he spilled against his skin. He was on cloud nine. Or somewhere else, very far away, surrounded by plush and warmth and alpha pheromones.  His magic pulsed inside of him, out of him, flowed through Arthur and back into him. And he felt good. Utterly blissed out.

“Fuck...”, the prince mumbled, still spilling into him, knot swelling to lock his semen in there. Breathing heavily. He felt the magic around him, in him. The air around them was prickling, but he could not care less, he had his omega in his arms, was allowed to hold him, to feel him. His alpha was satisfied. He was satisfied.

And this was dangerous. So very dangerous. Because there was no way in the world, that they could just stop doing THIS!  Arthur had surprised himself by willingly offering his own ass up. To an omega! To a fucking omega!

He had never even considered it before, had never actually held another man like this, another person, because he was the prince, because he was a dominant alpha, because why would he? And Merlin had just... Had just accepted this strange misunderstanding. Hand embraced it and worked with it, had shown him, that this weak, cute omega could be just as dominant. Could stand his ground.

And he had let him. Had enjoyed it. Drawn lust from submitting to his omega. His. Well, no point denying it. Merlin was his. The one and only omega. The one who would meet his every need. Would be able to deal with all his whims, with the spoilt prat he could be.

This was not good. This was so very, very not good.  And they still had about half a year to go, before Merlin would be able to take his suppressants again. If that would even have an effect... He highly doubted it. Even when he was unable to smell him, he was pretty sure, he would still react, because... Because this was not just pheromones. Fuck!

Chapter Text

Arthur and Merlin returned to Camelot three days later. They – meaning Arthur – had actually been successful and brought back several rabbits and a roebuck, tied to one of their horses. Lacking space, they both rode together on Arthur’s horse. Merlin had tried to complain about it, tried again as soon as the citadel had come in sight, but he had ignored his protests all along. Since it was barely unusual for him to share a horse with his servant. Well, not any servant. Merlin. No one had ever wondered when he – for whatever reason – had returned on horseback, Merlin sitting behind him, looking unhappy.

So this time no one cared, either. Immediately the groom took over the horse with the stocks, urging his stable boys to get the game to the kitchen, as they both dismounted.

A sniff at the air around them confirmed, that any traces of omega heat pheromones had vanished. So Arthur pulled Leon to the side, as soon as he arrived at the courtyard, the rest of his most trusted knights in tow.

“Bayard?”, he asked, scanning the curious crowd.

“Left with his entourage in the morning. Had some intense negotiations with the king...”, Leon informed him.

“Good. So, things have been called off?”

“Probably?”, the knight shrugged.

“Hey, so you really caught something? I’m impressed”, Gwaine greeted Merlin with a bright grin and pulled him into his arms.

“Hey!”, the sorcerer complained and tried to shove him off. He let him.

“You smell of alpha...”, Gwaine explained, sticking up his nose demonstratively.

“Oh...”, Merlin replied and blushed. Note sure, what to say.

“Happens, when you ride right behind an alpha... Do you have a problem with my scent, Gwaine?”, Arthur interjected, shooting his knight a glare. And maybe he was growling a little, but that could be neglected.

“No, of course not, princess. Just noted!”

“Gwaine, behave!”, Percival sighed, slapping the back of his head.

“Ouch!”

“Sorry, Sire. Maybe one day he will learn to watch his mouth”, the big knight smiled apologetically.

“You really believe that, Perce?”, Elyan chuckled.

“No, actually not...”, was the resigned answer.

“So? Anything happened while I was gone?”, Arthur asked his knights, standing next to Merlin, but decidedly not touching. Changing the topic.

“Nothing noteworthy, I think....”, Leon told him after a moment of thinking.

“Lady Morgana was in a pretty shitty mood after the omega incident. I think, she might have jumped the princess’ throat herself...”, Elyan pointed out. “My sister usually keeps her temper in check...”

“Ah, right, she’s still on honeymoon with Lancelot”, the prince remembered.

“They should be back in a few days, if they keep track of time...”, Elyan replied.

“Okay, I’ll report to my father, then go and find Morgana. Merlin?”

“Let me check in with Gaius. I’ll be back on time for my duties”, the sorcerer interrupted him.

“Fine. But make sure to bring enough dinner”, Arthur nodded.

“She left?”, Merlin asked, entering Gaius’ quarters with a knock.

“In the morning. I sent her off, right after she was stable again”, the physician told him, as he closed the door and settled back in.

“I still can’t believe, they played that dirty! So? Was this thing at least called off? Or will Arthur still marry her?”, the dark-haired asked, as he sat down opposite the working man.

“No. He won’t. You can thank Morgana for that. She convinced the king and the court that we can not accept this foul move”, Gaius said, handing him a mortar with herbs in it. The sorcerer started grinding them out of  routine.

“I will.”

“You and Arthur are still....?”, Gaius wanted to know.

“Hm...”

“Can I expect you tonight, or rather not?”, he sighed.

“I... Don’t know, yet...”, Merlin admitted. He had absolutely no idea any more. He just kind of went along with it. Because he could not not go along. It felt good, to be with Arthur. In any way. And what they had done in the woods had not made anything better at all. He had enjoyed all of it way too much. So... If his alpha wanted him in his lair, he would not oppose. Because it was nice. And, well... Probably no one would suspect a thing, since he was the prince’s servant anyway. Since he was by his side all the time, putting up with him.

“I see... Just... Be careful, my boy...”

“I will try...”

They went silent, working, until the old man finally handed him a small package.

“Before you go, bring this to Morgana. She is complaining about headache more recently...”, he told the sorcerer.

“Yes, of course. Thought, it’s become less frequent...”

“Ask her yourself, I am no expert on these kinds of things...”

And so, Merlin did. He knocked on the door to her chambers, and a young woman opened. Looked at him.

“Merlin!”, she then recognised him and stepped aside, to let him in.

“So you’re back? Took you long enough!”, Morgana complained. “You can leave, Winnie. He won’t cause any harm!”

“Milady, I am not supposed to leave you with a...”

“You think, I’d mate with Merlin here? I can assure you, this will not happen. Leave!”, she ordered her maidservant.

“But, Milady!”

“I wish to talk to Merlin alone. Go, get me dinner or something useful”, the Lady dismissed her.

“I understand, Milady”, Winnie bowed, looked at both of them scandalized, but then actually did, as she was told and left.

“Can’t wait, to have Gwen back... Good servants are hard to find these days...”, Morgana sighed.

“Don’t know, what you mean...”, Merlin replied with a small grin.

“Of course not. You’re absolutely incompetent. But you’re able to deal with my idiot brother, so everyone respects you. Gwen told me, no one would dare to make fun of you, simply because you keep moody alpha Arthur away from them”, she giggled. “Sit?”

Merlin wanted to protest, tell her, he was not this bad, but then he remembered, that, in fact, Arthur was exactly that bad. At least he could be, when he had one of his whims again. But he could also be nice. And gentle. Caring. A protective alpha, but Merlin could absolutely not tell her this! So he did not reply at all and just passed her the small package.

“From Gaius?”, she asked.

“He said, you’re having more headaches recently?”

“Yes. I’m getting less sleep. But at least I’m not subconsciously trying to burn down the castle. It’s just the dreams again...”, she explained with a sigh.

“The visions?”

“Yes...”

“Anything concrete?”

“Nothing too clear at all....”, she said, focussing on her water basin. Harrumphed. “Well, maybe one thing. Saw a tournament. Someone disguising. Not an actual danger, but something was going on... Was sitting next to Uther, talking to you and the disguised knight rode towards me. You looked scared, I think. That was last night’s dream...”, she explained then. Not mentioning the vision she had had before. This would be her trump to play at another time.

“You think, the knight would attack Uther?”, Merlin wanted to know.

“No idea. Didn’t feel any danger”, she shrugged.

“Well, there won’t be any tournaments till the end of August, as far as I know. Or did Uther change his mind?”

“Not as far as I know...”

“Apropos Uther. Thanks for speaking up in Arthur’s favour, I suppose?”, the sorcerer told him.

“Coincidence. Didn’t speak up to help him or anything. Just... Couldn’t let this bitch get away with their plan!”, she just shrugged. Offered him some candied fruits, he took without complaining, because, well, he was a little hungry. It was almost dinner time.

And then there was a knock on the door. Merlin flinched out of reflex and turned around, dropping the fruit, while Morgana calked “Entrée!”.

And then the door opened, Arthur standing in the doorframe, freezing for a moment, as his gaze fell on Merlin. In an instant, he was in the room, in front of him. Looking down at him. And Merlin could smell his pheromones. Knew, he was not pleased, while the door shut. Maybe with a little help.

“What are you doing here?”, the alpha wanted to know.

“Greetings to you, too brother dear!”, Morgana said in a loud, clear voice. Rolling her eyes.

“What are you doing with my servant?”, Arthur wanted to know, since said servant just stared at him wide eyed.

“We were just having a very nice chat. Some candy, too?”, she smiled sweetly and offered her brother the bowl of candied fruits.

“Why?”

“Because it’s good? One more, Merlin?”, she smiled and though sensing the danger, the sorcerer took a piece. Because he had a sweet tooth and well, he liked them anyway.

“Thanks”, he mumbled politely, before eating.

“You can’t just sit here and eat candy, while I am waiting for dinner!”, Arthur scolded him.

“Were you waiting?”, the dark-haired asked.

“Not yet. But by now, I would. Why are you here, anyway? Weren’t you supposed to see Gaius?”

“Was. He sent me here.”

“Why would he?”

“To deliver my medicine? Why do you care? He’s a servant, not your property”, Morgana interjected, glaring at Arthur.

“Oh. I see. So...”, the alpha mumbled, looking at the package in her hand. And suddenly felt guilty. Like he had overreacted. “You’re not sleeping well, again?”, he wanted to know, much calmer now.

“No. But it helps to speak about my dreams. And since Gwen isn’t available and you can’t expect me to just pour my heart out to some random chambermaid... Merlin is someone I trust!”, she sighed, pointing at the chewing servant.

“Oh...” Arthur visibly deflated. “I see....”

“What are you even doing here?”, she then wanted to know.

“I? Oh, yes, I wanted to, well.... Thank you. For speaking to father...”

“Thank me? You wanted to thank me?”, she wanted to know.

“Errr, guess so... I mean, didn’t want to marry her. She tried to force herself on me. Literally...”, the prince admitted.

“It’s impossible. Something an omega should never do. It’s like trying to literally rape you, taking advantage of your alpha brain. In no sane state, you would otherwise... I mean, you didn’t, did you?”, she wanted to confirm.

“He wouldn’t!”, Merlin interjected.

“Never!”, Arthur confirmed.

“Good. I was afraid, you might have done something. Of course not on purpose!”

“I have self control!”

“An unmated alpha reacts strongly to a willing omega in heat. I wasn’t sure if you’d...”

“Morgana, please! Arthur didn’t even lay a finger on her. He just carried her away. I can confirm, he didn’t! He would never!”, Merlin exclaimed, staring at her, disgusted by the implication.

“I see. That’s very good. Very good. I’m so proud of you, my alpha brother”, she then smiled and patted his shoulder. “I’d never doubt you!”

“Of course.... Well, anyway.  Thanks for what you did. I think, I’m gonna take Merlin and be off, for the day. And, well... If you need him, to... To talk, I think it’s fine... As long as it doesn’t interfere with his duties...”

“Don’t worry, I won’t keep him from pampering your royal ass! Now, off you go! Winnie will be back with my dinner any minute”, Morgana smiled. And pretty much just threw them out and shut the door behind them.

“Did she really think, I’d have... With the princess?”, Arthur asked, quietly, so no one would overhear.

“You can’t know what’s going on in her mind. She sometimes gets those ideas...”

“I know. I’ve known her for more than ten years. I know her and her ideas quite well, but that?! Why would she assume, I’d mate that girl?”

“Because... Well...”, Merlin hesitated.

“Yes?”

“Because you are an unmated alpha. Of course you’d react strongly to her pheromones. Hers were way stronger than Gwen’s, and you reacted to her heat, back then. Before she was on suppressants. Ysenda was a very fertile, noble omega. And she pretty much threw herself at you. Everyone would have assumed, you’d...”

“So you assumed, too?”

“I was impressed by your self control”, Merlin admitted, as they walked side by side, towards the prince’s chambers.

“I told you, I wouldn’t...”

“Soon, you’ll have to. If Uther hadn’t called things off, you’d have been forced to mate her...”

“I know... I know, Merlin...”, the prince sighed. “Hey, you!”, he then called out, scaring a passing servant almost to death and ordered him to fetch them both dinner from the kitchen and bring it to his chambers.

The poor boy just nodded and then ran off.

“I could have fetched us dinner just as well...”, Merlin murmured, as soon as he was out of sight.

“We’re in the middle of conversation. So? C’mon”, Arthur nodded into the direction of his chambers.

“Fine. But can’t we just stop talking about it? I mean, we’re both well aware. It’s bad enough, I have to remind myself all the time. Don’t need you to remind me of you and all the omega scent on you, as soon as they decided who you’ll mate...”, the sorcerer complained, as he opened the door. 

“You’re the one always reminding me...”

The door shut, after they entered.

“Because you’re the fucking prince! This whole, this, this thing should not be! It’s absolutely insane! We both know too well, that you’ll have a nobleman or -woman as your omega mate. And I will deal with that. It will be okay. I get used to things. Just don’t remind me, for now!”

“Okay, got that. Won’t remind you! Just stop shouting!”, Arthur answered, surprised by Merlin’s emotional outbreak. Out of instinct, he pulled him into an embrace, to sooth him.

“I’m not shouting...”, the omega grumbled, leaning in.

“You were. But it’s okay. We both know. But for now it’s okay. And when my father tries to marry me off, we’ll see this through. Somehow. So? Enjoy things for now?”, the prince suggested, breathing in his scent, dark curls tickling his nose.

“Hmm.... Hate it...”, Merlin mumbled. “All of it...”, he sighed, suddenly on the verge of tears. But he fought it. Because he had no idea, where that had suddenly come from. He knew! He fucking knew! So how could he be this emotional all of a sudden! This was stupid! So fucking stupid!

“I know. I know. It’ll be alright. Somehow.....”, Arthur told him, stroking his back comfortingly. Voice very gentle. He needed to assure his omega, hold him, give him safety.

“You’re an idiot!”, Merlin told him, hiding his face in Arthur’s shirt. “Hate you. I absolutely hate you....”

“I know. It’s all fucked up...”, the alpha sighed.

“Why’d you have to be the prince? My fucking destiny? It’s not fair...”

“It’s never fair. I know it so very well. But we’ll manage, somehow we will...”, he told him. Caressed him. Held him.

“Hate it...”, Merlin sniffed, still buried in his alpha’s shirt.

“We’ll fine. We’ll be...”

The sorcerer just nodded, because he could do nothing else. Just nod and wait for his tears to stop. Why was he crying anyway? This was silly! Stupid! But the mere idea of Arthur holding another omega made him so, so... This was bad! Very bad! He needed to do something! This had to stop! This madness had to...

It did not stop. Not at all. In fact, everything stayed exactly as it was. Routine re-established itself within days and they just went on. Uther seemed to calculate his chances to gain the most benefits to the country so his son was – for now – spared from suggestions on marriage. Which was good, since Arthur was concentrating on training with his knights and his royal duties anyway. And when he spent his evenings in his chambers, no one did as much as bat an eye, because he was not touring through the taverns or flirting with barmaids or servants of any gender – unlike a certain well-known knight – and just took care of paperwork. And when his servant spent the nights in his chambers  it was only seen as practical, efficient, because Arthur was always on time these days.

When Lancelot and Gwen returned to the castle, they were welcomed with a big feast in the knights’ dining room. Arthur had permitted them to move in together in Gwen’s old house, so Lancelot would not live in the knights’ quarters, but was still welcomed warmly.

They drank and celebrated and everyone was happy for them. Many servants came, to congratulate Gwen and of course Morgana was there, as well.

And after the feast – it definitely had been one, Arthur had made sure – prince and sorcerer fell into the sheets grinning and cuddling and not talking about how much they both silently envied the now mated couple. How they both had looked at their still fresh mating marks.

About a week later, Arthur announced, that Merlin would move in with him. Of course not officially and not like that, he had to explain to his omega, but he would do, what many servants did, he would sleep in the room’s until now abandoned antechamber. Like Gwen had done in Morgana’s chambers, after her father had been executed. It was not unheard of, not even unusual and none of the knights did much more than shrug, when they learned about it. Well, Gwaine had teased Arthur, called him a spoilt princess who needed every free minute of her poor manservant, but that had been it.

Uther learnt about it during one monthly dinner the family had together, Gwen and Merlin standing behind their masters. He had made some small talk with Morgana and thus learnt, that Guinevere had moved out of her chambers. Had then actually noticed the woman and congratulated her, before returning to ignore the servants. On this occasion Morgana had dropped the news about her half brother, because she sometimes just wanted to see the world burn, but got disappointed soon, since Uther had only just shrugged noted that Gaius then would have it easier and continued eating.

Absolutely no one cared! Merlin ignored the glance Lancelot shot him every now and then, smirking at him, and Gaius? Well, Gaius seemed to have given up. He had helped him pack his belongings, only shaking his head. Not even questioning him.

“Take care”, he told the young sorcerer, when they were done. He did not have many things at all.

“I will. Don’t worry, I’m still around. Will help you, whenever I can!”, Merlin smiled.

“Rather not, dear boy. You’re hardly any help, these days...”

“That’s not true!”

“You flee, as soon as I start making any of the potions and salves. I think it really is better, when you just deliver things for the near future...”, the physician told him, shaking his head.

“No, I don’t!”, the sorcerer complained, because he could not just admit that he came to hate the smell of most herbs the old man recently used. He had started experimenting more and the outcome might have worked well, until now, but they had been a threat to the nose!

“Do not argue, my boy. Here, take this. I prepared some things for you”, Gaius sighed and handed him a small bag.

“Thanks. What’s that?”, Merlin wanted to know, peaking inside.

“Some oils. For... Relaxation. And some essences you like. You can use them to get rid of nasty smells. There are also some salves for sore muscles, in case Arthur complains about his aching shoulder. Works well for any other muscle related pain. Some basic medicine and....”

“What medicine?”

“The usual. You know most of them. This one’s for headache, this helps when you can’t sleep and those help with reflux and those are just some creams, you apply them to the skin, when it is dry”, Gaius explained all the contents.

“I see. Thank you. Really. Just: I won’t leave for good. Just sleeping in Arthur’s chambers for a while. I might even be back, as soon as he annoys me”, Merlin assured him.

“You were putting up with him for years, Merlin. I do not think, him annoying you would be a valid reason to move out”, the physician told him. “In fact, I do not think I remember a day where you have not complained about Arthur being... Annoying...”

“True. But still! I’ll be back eventually. I mean, I’ll be able to take the suppressants in less than half a year. Maybe that makes me hate him? Or him hating me? Whatever. Something like this. Just don’t actually rent out my room, okay?”

Gaius looked him up and down, then sighed. Telling him an ‘I do not think so’ in a very loud nonverbal way. “I think, I will keep the bed for now... You have everything?”, he then said, shaking is head.

Merlin had everything. He had even packed his magic book and some of the magic related books Gaius had allowed him to take. Because... Well, Arthur knew anyway.

So all his belongings moved in with him. Arranged around the small room he had used for storage until now. Well, now there was an empty shelf in it and a straw mattress  Arthur had ordered, because just blankets did not seem like a good permanent solution for the crown prince’s manservant. And people should remain under the impression that Merlin was sleeping in his own bed. So Merlin should have one. And a door. He even had his own door he could shut, in case Arthur became unbearable, which... Had not happened so far.

They spend most their evenings in bed, cuddling and kissing and just being close. Maybe being a bit clingy. But it was okay.

Their continued proximity showed it’s first effects just a few weeks later, because that damned prince always made sure, Merlin would eat properly. So it had finally happened. After years of not gaining one gram of weight, he had actually gotten the hint of fat on his hips and belly. Was he getting chubby?! It was definitely Arthur’s fault, no doubt! He must have gained about a kilogramme by now! He would make him pay for that! How could he make him eat properly twice a day? Sometimes even give him some snacks during noon? This damn alpha with his care and need to provide!

Merlin pulled down his shirt and buckled his belt. He could not be getting fat! Maybe he should start working out, more? Well, he was already carrying around Arthur’s armour, weapons and other things, had to follow him around most of the day and on many evenings he even had some very exhausting exercises together with the alpha. In bed. So, he was pretty fit already. He was just not as muscular, as Arthur. Who had not gained weight by the way!

He let himself fall back onto the mattress. Had just made the bed, while Arthur was in a meeting. Had been tidying the room so far and was almost done now, after staring into the mirror for ten minutes.

The bed was soft and comfortable. The number of pillows and cushions and furs on the bed had increased over the weeks he had stayed here. Which was actually his doing, because, now that he was allowed to, he could give in to his urge to have it comfortable. Arthur had not minded so far. Just noted, that he thought all those blankets and sheets and pillows and furs that kept appearing on his bed seemed a bit warm, now that it was summer. But Merlin had ignored him, snuggled into the comfy warmth and maybe stuck out his tongue.

But why should he not indulge? Now that he could. He never had a bed this soft. This big. And this cosy. So of course he would turn it into something nice, something comfortable, something... Well, maybe – now that he thought about it – it resembled... Or not. No. It did not. It was just a very cosy bed. Definitely not a nest or something. Just a regular, very nice bed. A bed he loved to just lie in. To get comfortable in. To snuggle into with his alpha. Well, with Arthur. Who happened to be an alpha. Who was warm and soft and smelled so good. The bed smelled like Arthur all the time.

And Merlin had to resist the urge to just mix his scent with his own. Mark the ne- bed as theirs, but in case some servant or guard would accidentally find their way inside, they would notice! Because not all of them were betas! And he could not have anyone find out! He had to mask his scent. Though it would sure smell good...

He pulled himself out of his thoughts, and while he was at it, out of bed. Because it was too early to sleep. And he still needed to clean up. And maybe he could get some flowers for the vases? The ones in them did not look fresh any more. They did not smell as good. And he wanted the room to smell good. To be tidy and comfortable and nice. A safe, cosy place for him and his alpha...

“New flowers?”, Arthur noticed, as he entered the room, looking exhausted. But as the door shut, he instantly relaxed.

“The old ones were losing their smell. Do you mind?”

“Not at all. Just still not used to all this...”, he told his omega with a gesture at the room. Well, he was not used to this level of tidiness, after all this time of... Well, of a bare minimum of effort as long as he did not force Merlin to actually do his job. So seeing his room this clean, this… Homely was unusual. Not bad, of course, but… Flowers? Merlin had never bothered to put any flowers in his room!

“You don’t like it?”, Merlin asked, face dropping. Which was new, as well. They picked on each other, teasing, like they did before, but every now and then the omega tended to be… Well, he took things a little too serious every now and then. Maybe, because he was getting more comfortable around his alpha? Was settling in in his chambers. Well… They were playing home, were they not? At least when they were alone in here.

“I do. It’s just strange having you actually do your job!”, Arthur told him with a sigh, took in the pheromones filling the air in the room.

“Hey, I’m always doing my job! It’s just… I have the time to do these things lately. Gaius always sends me off, as soon as I am free. I hardly do any deliveries for him and just following you around all day gives me an unusual amount of free time!”, the dark-haired explained, just shrugging. “And you complained that I can’t lie around in bed all day, reading!”

“Because, what if someone sees you reading it?”, the prince asked. By ‘it’ he meant Merlin’s magic book, the sorcerer used to flip through, whenever he felt save and bored. Which happened more often than never recently.

“The door’s usually locked…”, Merlin explained.

“It isn’t”

“It is”

“It’s never locked!”

“Not for you, dollophead. But for everyone else”, he sighed, rolling his eyes.

“Oh”, the prince just made. “Okay, then it’s safe, I guess… Is it?”

“It is. Otherwise I’d have left it in it’s hiding. Don’t take me for an idiot!”

“You are an idiot, Merlin! That’s why I don’t want you in danger. But, well… Maybe it’s okay, if you read more instead of… Decorating…”

“I am not an idiot, clodpole!”, the sorcerer pouted, but Arthur just grinned and pulled him close. Into a kiss.

“Wanna take a bath together? I need someone to scrub my back after that meeting…. I swear, if I hear anyone saying ‘tax increase’ one more time, I’ll snap!”, he grumbled against his neck, burying his nose into his scent glands.

“I see. My poor alpha prat…”, Merlin chuckled and waved his hand. Muttered a spell and soon the big tub was filled with steaming hot water.

“Don’t call me a prat all the time…”

“You are a prat, Arthur…”, he mumbled against his neck and gently bit down. Because he could. And he liked the feeling of the alpha’s skin against his teeth. He liked the feeling of the alpha’s skin everywhere, when he was being honest, but who was, these days?

“And you’re an useless servant. Let me go and bath me already!”, Arthur demanded.

“You’re the one holding me, idiot!”, the dark-haired mumbled, but let go and pulled back.

“Undress me”, the prince ordered him and the sorcerer demonstratively rolled his eyes. But complied. Tough a bit roughly. Because he could. Because he liked to tease Arthur, so his ego would not increase even more, leading to more alpha ignorance. He had to keep him in check. And, well, they both loved it, though every now and then Merlin felt a little on edge and just wanted a hug, when Arthur had taken things too far – not, not correct. When Merlin felt like he had taken things too far, which was just a feeling, not a fact, because it was no different from their other small disputes.

“Anything else, your highness?”, the dark-haired asked, standing behind his naked form, pressing a kiss to his shoulder.

“As I said. Bathe with me. I suggest, you undress, too?”, Arthur smiled, turned his head to peck a kiss on Merlin’s cheek.

“Can do that. Wouldn’t want my clothes all wet…”

“It’s getting pretty hot outside, maybe having you all drenched would be nice?”

“For you to look at, I suppose…”, the servant remarked, but undressed. Then they both got into the tub. And he was even nice enough, to massage his alpha’s back. Because Arthur liked it. And Merlin liked to do things Arthur liked.

This was so peaceful, so domestic, so quiet, that – of course – it was impossible to remain this cosy. Because things never were just peaceful in Camelot. At least not for long. This was an experience, the sorcerer had made early on and almost forgot about, while settling into his life with Arthur.

But then, an unknown delegation rode into Camelot one morning...

Chapter Text

They were out, on the training ground, when the trumpets sounded. Merlin was polishing a sword, looking busy as usual, while Arthur beat up all of his knights. Gwen was watching her mate from a window, while carrying the laundry to Morgana’s room.

So they interrupted, what they were doing and made their way to the courtyard, where a total of six horses rode in, as they arrived.

On the first horse, there sat a man, dirty blonde hair, long beard, clothed in fine linen, as far as they could tell. He was followed by three other, younger looking men and the last two were carrying a large wooden chest between their horses. 

“Who might you be, visitors?”, the loud voice of king Uther sounded from the balcony above them.

“Greetings to the king of Camelot! My name is Eaun, the first son of Lord Odard, king of the Seal’s Island! And these are my most trusted people. We came to you, to seek your help, Milord!”, the man called up to the balcony, bowing his head.

“Greetings to you, Eaun of the Seal’s Island. Do you come in peace?”, Uther wanted to know.

“Milord, we came, to offer you the treasures of our land, in return for a small act of kindness!”

“We will discuss this matter in the afternoon. Please, be our guests, my servants will treat to your horses. Arthur?”, Uther called out and Arthur stepped into the courtyard, so his father could see him, bowing to the visitor, then turning around, looking up to pay his king respect.

“My king!”

“I want you to show our guests around the castle! They have come from far away and must not be familiar with out beautiful land!”, Uther told his son, looking at him with a penetrating gaze, usually meaning, that his words had a subtext.

“As you wish, Milord! May I change, at first?”

“Ah, you are still wearing your training gear! Of course, change out of it! Is that acceptable to you, Eaun of the Seal’s Island?”

“Of course, Sire! We thank you in advance, for all your kindness!”, the visitor called out.

“Please allow my trusted knights, to make sure, no harm is done to you in the meantime!”, the king said, which was the command for Leon and his men to enter the courtyard and bow to the visitors.

Arthur – Merlin in tow – walked upstairs as fast as he could, while keeping up his dignity. He needed to see his father. Something was up. Who were these men? They looked strange, unfamiliar. Something was definitely off.

“Father!”, the prince called out, as he stepped through the door.

“There you are”, Uther greeted him.

“Something is strange, isn’t it?”

“Indeed. I need you to keep a close eye on those men. They claim to come from the Seal’s Island. I sent for Geoffrey, to check on it, but I have never heard of an island with this name. Neither of  a noble called Odard... I want you to find out, who they are and what they want, before the audience in the afternoon. Do not show them, that we are suspicious”, the king ordered his son.

Arthur nodded. “Of course, my king”, he told his father and bowed.

“Good. Now go and change, we do not want to make our guests wait!”

Merlin changed Arthur and put the armour away, as the blonde made his way towards the courtyard, to approach the visitors properly. He introduced himself once again, as prince Arthur of Camelot and in return got introduced to Eaun and his men. Well, ‘men’ was not the accurate word, he soon noticed, because at least three of the people were female, dressed in man’s clothes. They had also been armed, but had given their weapons to his knights, as sign of friendship and good intentions. Now they were only carrying what they had on them and small pouches at the sides of their hips.

They had no strong smell on them, so he assumed they all were betas. Which made them easier to deal with. As far as he could tell, they smelled of salt and kelp and maybe a little like fresh fish. So them coming from an island, did not seem far fetched.

“Those are my trusted warriors”, Eaun introduced two women and a man. “If possible, they would like to spar with your knights, one time.”

“I see…”, Arthur nodded. So the women were fighters. An unusual thing. Not unheard of, but sure not common in Camelot. He himself knew too well, that women were capable of fighting, even omegas were! Everyone was! He himself had been defeated by an omega woman at least once, and Guinevere was not too bad of a fighter, as well. “I think, it might be possible to join us in the morning.”

“This would be wonderful. You must be a great fighter, too. I‘ve heard stories of the prince of Camelot and his men”, the visitor smiled.

“News sure travel far. Do they? Please, tell, where exactly are you from? I must admit, I am not too familiar with all the territory of Albion”, Arthur admitted. Because it was okay for him to not know all of Albion, yet. He was only the prince, not the king himself.

“The Seal’s Island is located in the south-west of Camelot territory. Behind the territory of Gedref, about a kilometre away from the shore. We usually just trade with the locals of Gedref and some fishers from Gawant and Nemeth, so we usually don’t have much contact with the people…”, Eaun explained, as they walked across the courtyard, into the castle.

“I understand. So, I assume, your island is not part of either territory?”

“I am not sure, whether king Godwin and king Rodor are even aware of our island’s existence. And… We don’t mind keeping it that way…”

“I see, and yet you come to Camelot, to seek help, drawing the attention of both rulers?”

“We deemed it necessary, given the circumstances, my prince…”, the Lord’s son explained, as they walked through the corridors and out, to the training grounds, where Leon had resumed the training with the other knights. They watched, standing under a canopy.

“May I ask the circumstances?”

“We are under attack. Our home is to be destroyed by an ancient beast and only the great prince of Camelot and his beloved can save what is most dear to-”

“Arthur, there you are!”, Merlin accidentally interrupted, and ran towards his prince, a little out of breath, glad to have found him. As soon as he realised, that he had interrupted, his smile fell and he lowered his head. “Pardon my intrusion, Milords”, he then added guiltily.

“Merlin, you idiot…”, Arthur just sighed, but could not hide a look of fondness.

“Oh my!”, Eaun whispered in shock, stared at the young servant, eyes wide. Then he bowed, deeply. “Milord, you do not need to apologise. I deeply regret, I made you feel like you did anything wrong”, he then mumbled.

“Err…. What?”, Merlin made, unable to hide his confusion. Blinked. Looked towards Arthur, who looked just as confused.

“Milord, oh great Emrys, I am so sorry. Please, let me explain!”, Eaun hurried, still bowing. In shock Merlin realised two things at once: first, all the visitors had knelt down at the sound of his name and second, his name. This name. He went from confused to very pale, to panicked, looking around for any unwanted listeners, but since they were mostly hidden from sight by a canopy, and the knights were busy, training, whoever was to glance down out of the windows, would most likely just look at the men and not pay any attention to them.

Arthur looked at him. Tilting his head in a strange mixture of concern, worry for him, and a demand for an explanation. Something only Arthur could, he supposed. “Emrys?”, the alpha repeated.

“Well…”, the sorcerer mumbled, clenching and unclenching his hands nervously. “Maybe, you should stand up, again? It looks strange, when you…”, he tried, gesticulating at the kneeling entourage. And in an instant they all rose. Looked at the ground in front of him.

“Thank you, Milord. We appreciate your trust”, Eaun mumbled.

“Err, can you skip this ‘Milord’-part? I’m just Merlin, you see? Prince Arthur’s servant. So? Could you explain, what’s going on?”, Merlin asked, now subconsciously using his magic to scan the area and sense for any eavesdroppers. But they were alone. He hoped. Which relaxed him a little. And the fact, that a still confused Arthur stepped a little closer to him, looking not at him, but at the visitor, calmed him. With only his presence.

“As you wish”, Eaun said. Then took a breath. “I am here, to seek your help. My people need you. Both of you. We are under attack by an ancient beast!”

“You told this, already. But how do you know Merlin? How could he help you?”, Arthur wanted to know. Now standing directly next to his servant. No matter what was going on, he had to protect him. He was not sure, whether this was any actual danger, but his alpha urged him to.

“There is an old prophecy among our kind, that the sea serpent will rise it’s head and will be defeated by the rightful ruler of Camelot and the most powerful sor-”

“I see!”, Merlin called out, not wanting him to speak out loud what he was about to say.

“Prophecy?”, Arthur sighed, shaking his head. He had had his fair share of prophecies so far and would be very glad to forego any further announcements about his future.

“Okay, so you need our help with a sea serpent that’s attacking you?”, the sorcerer  wanted to know. Keeping things on a more magic-free level.

“Indeed, for weeks now the beast has been attacking us, killing our kin and property. Our most valued elder had foreseen this long ago, thus we are here, begging for your help. Please, Lord Emrys”, Eaun bowed again, deeply.

“Merlin. It’s Merlin. Just Merlin. Hm…”, Merlin mumbled biting his lower lip nervously. He probably had some explaining to do after this. And then, he wanted to know, how this guy recognized him. Was he a Druid? He did not seem like one of them. But he seemed aware of the magic. In some way at least.

“As you wish, Lord Merlin…”

“Just Merlin. Please, I’m prince Arthur’s loyal servant, not some Lord. Don’t call me that”, he corrected the bearded man.

“I understand.”

“Hope so. And… Better not mention any prophecy stuff around here”, he added, looking around once again.

“Camelot is not friendly towards these things, I’m familiar with your laws”, Eaun nodded.

“Great. So… You want us to help with a sea serpent, right?”, Merlin summed things up. Ignoring the strange displays of respect.

“Yes. Please. It has killed ten of us so far. We brought a great gift for the king of Camelot. All the treasures we could find”, the bearded man explained, looking desperately. The other ones nodded, faces sad, full of concern.

“We’ll see, what we can do… I can’t make any promises, since this is a thing only the king can decide. But, have my honest condolences to the victims of this attack”, Arthur told him. Them.

About two hours later, Arthur and Merlin returned to their chambers. Well, they were now, were they not? They both kind of lived there.

As soon as the door locked, Arthur pulled him in and buried his nose in his neck. Inhaled his omega scent and breathed in deeply.

“Who’s Emrys?”, he then asked, voice low. Holding him tighter. Possessively.

“I suppose, that’s me…”, Merlin mumbled, eyes closed. After hours of anxiety he was finally able to relax.

“Thought so. I’ve heard Mordred calling you this once...”

“He did... Magic thing...”, Merlin admitted. Because it made no sense, to deny anything.

“Okay, that’s for later, I guess...Is this guy dangerous?”

“Dunno… He didn’t seem… Well, he was strange, suspicious, but he didn’t seem… Off… Really seemed concerned about his people…”

“I agree… See serpent… Sounds bad…”

“I think, I’ve read about those once, but… Can’t say, I know anything… But i can research.”

“Hm… You want to help?”, Arthur asked.

“You’re the prince….”

“I want to keep my people save. Though they are not people of Camelot, they came to seek help. And… What if other regions get attacked, too?”

“So you want to?”

“I think, I do... You?”

“Well, something is… Fishy. I don’t know. But I don’t think, they’re actually bad...”, the dark-haired mumbled.

“We shouldn’t trust them, but....”

“But?”

“I don’t know... I really don’t know... You think, they are involved with magic?”, Arthur redirected the topic, because he did not know, what the ‘but’ might be. But he knew – used to know – that usually magic was the cause of evil things.

“Involved?”, Merlin repeated.

“You know, in a bad way. I mean... They talked about prophecies and stuff... And they’re foreigners...”

“Can’t convince you that not all magic is harmful, hm?”, he sighed and pulled back. Looked at the floor.

“Of course! I mean, you aren’t. You won’t harm me. But other magic could, right?”

“Magic”, Merlin began, walking towards the wall, where Arthur’s sword rested. He reached out for it. “...is like a blade.” He took it in hand. Looked at it. “You can use it to kill and harm”, he said, taking the position of an attacker, the position Arthur often took in training.  “But you can also use it, to protect. To defend.” He changed to a defensive position, holding the sword close. “And you can use it as a useful tool. To craft, to unbind, free...”, he added, now pointing the tip at his prince, cutting the lace of his shirt’s collar without effort.

Arthur did not even flinch, not even for a second doubting his intentions. He just stood still. Observed.

“You make me use it for all kinds of handy things. You’re lazy”, Merlin went on, lowered the sword and let his eyes flare gold, while the laces tied themselves back together.

“I’m not!”, the prince protested. But, well, he was. Both.

“It’s the user, that makes the difference, that’s what I wanted to say. Magic itself is just a tool. It can be used for evil. And well, I guess most people who dare to use it around you tend to try to harm you. But that might be, because no one would dare to risk their life for the good things. The handy ones...”, the sorcerer smiled and looked into his eyes. “It’s a force of nature...”

“YOU are a force of nature, Merlin”, Arthur sighed and stepped closer. And then the sword dropped to the floor with a loud sound, but he did not care. Because he wanted to embrace his servant, his omega. He did not want him to be angry or hurt by what he had so, because... Because he wanted to protect him from that. From ever feeling hurt.

“You need to let go, soon. Your father demands your presence at the audience. You’re curious, what he would say, aren’t you?”, Merlin reminded him with a sigh, but leaned in. Enjoying the warmth and closeness.

“I know... And it’s not a public thing, just the council and us... Don’t wanna leave you here...”

“I’ll go and fetch a book. About creatures. I’m sure, I saw a sea serpent in there. So I’ll do some research, while you listen to Rain, okay?”

“Hm, sounds fine. Can’t have you just lie in my bad all day. You’ll get too lazy... Aren’t you already...”, Arthur mumbled, resting his hands on Merlin’s barely notably less bony hips.

“Finish that sentence and I’ll move back in with Gaius. You’re the one feeding me all the stuff. Can’t even just take a walk with you without you fetching anything to eat for me! No wonder, it catches!”, the dark-haired complained.

“Sorry, sorry. Didn’t mean it that way. I like it, actually, you know. You’ve always been so incredibly skinny... Not that I don’t like you all slender and firm, but... It feels like I’m taking good care of you, you see? Like I’m doing something for you...”, his alpha sighed against his soft skin. “Let me provide for you, omega...”

“Fine, fine, but if you ever only but hint at me being fat, I’ll leave Camelot. For good. I’ll go back to Ealdor. Or live in the mountains. Whichever. So, watch your mouth, prat!”

“Yes, yes. I’ll be good...”

He was. All afternoon. He went to the audience without complaint and listened to Eaun pleading his case to the king, explaining how he had heard of the skills of Camelot’s men and especially the prince, how he, his people, needed their help so desperately. Uther listened patiently, but only took actual interest in the matter, as Eaun had the big wooden chest brought in and opened. It was full with gold, gems and jewellery. An offering to Camelot, a present, in return for a favour.

The visitor explained he and his people had lived in peace, left alone by the other kingdoms, until the beast had all of a sudden shown up and started attacking the boats and houses close to the shore, told them, how small of an island their home actually was and that not even roughly one hundred people lived there. And how minimum ten people have been eaten by the serpent. How they needed a great fighter to slay the beast.

Here Arthur interjected and noted, that he had already slay a dragon, so he was familiar with giant magical beasts, in expressed his concerns that the beast might attack the other kingdoms and could even find it’s way to Camelot, through the rivers. He pointed it out on the map, where Eaun had drawn an outline of the Seal’s Island.

And after the king had dismissed the visitor and his men, not looking at them close enough to even consider them actually being women as well, the council and Arthur entered into their own negotiations, discussing, what they have learned.

“They are strangers! Why should we help them?”, one of the older men asked.

“Right. Their problem is not ours! Send them off!”, another agreed.

“But did you see the gold? The treasures they brought? They pay us for defeating that thing!”

“It’s a lot of money, actually...”

“Well, prince Arthur has dealt with worse, I assume....”

“We should not send the prince into danger, he is the only heir to the throne of Camelot!”

“I have been a warrior all my life!”, Uther stated. “While I do not want to lose an heir, I can not expect my son to just stay safe inside the walls of the citadel. I raised a fighter!”

“Indeed, your Highness!”

“The prince would be able to deal with the beast easily! Then we get the treasures, their debt and think of all. The prestige!”

“Indeed! Another triumph in the war on magic!”

Most of the council members agreed, discussing, how to get the most out of the situation. Just Gaius was silent. Looking at Arthur. Thinking. Considering.

The prince caught his gaze. And stepped closer to him, while the others seemed busy, planning out the details with the king.

“You didn’t disagree, your highness?”, the old physician whispered, standing next to him, a few steps away from the others.

“I think, I can help...”

“Sea serpents are very dangerous creatures. Their fangs are venomous. I think, I have a book on that...”

“He’s probably already going through it...”

“So... He will come with you?”

“When father approves, I will bring the knights and him. They know about... They said, they’d need his talents”, Arthur whispered.

“Oh my... Are you sure?”, Gaius wanted to confirm.

“They need help. He agrees. So I want to help. Both want...”

“He should be careful, he is not in a state-“

“I know, that he’s not a fighter, Gaius. I’ll protect him. But he won’t just let me ride out of Camelot alone... Not the first time he would just follow me...”, the prince smiled, watching the ongoing negotiations.

“I can not disagree...”, the physician sighed.

“You don’t need to worry. I’ll keep him safe. All of them...”

“Thank you, Milord...”

With a loud sigh, Arthur entered his chambers, closing the door. It locked immediately. He stretched and looked around. Smiling, as he saw Merlin sitting on the bed – well, leaning against a large pile of pillows covered in furs, blanket over his lap – absorbed in a book.

Finally things were mostly settled. They would actually help Eaun and his people, accepting their offer. Someone had told them already. His fighters would train with the knights in the morning, then they would leave, only leaving behind one guide, to lead Arthur and his knights safely. They would ride out the day after, because they still had to prepare.

“You haven’t brought dinner?”, he asked, sitting at the side of the bed, looking at his useless manservant.

“You’re back?!”, Merlin gasped, dropping the book into his lap. “Sorry, what’s the time!”, he then added, realising, what his prince had just said.

“Dinner time. Took all afternoon to get things through with...”, Arthur told him. “Father will let me go. You’ll also come, and my men, too. He said, I should get more discipline into them, anyway...”

“Oh. I see. I’ll fetch you dinner, then I’ll show you, what I found, okay?”, the dark-haired asked and smiled, as his alpha combed through his hair with his fingers.

“Fine. Get us dinner, servant!”

So Merlin did. He hurried down, to the kitchen, exchanged a few words with Marianne, praising her cooking, and brought a full, steaming plate up to Arthur’s chambers. He had his own plate up there now, had for a while already. Because Arthur had demanded. Had threatened him with feeding him the whole plate, if he would not get his own, so they could share properly.

Well, now he was eating together with his prince, taking every ite Arthur offered, while he told him about the meeting. In return, Merlin shared his new knowledge about sea serpents, he had gained from a book, borrowed from Gaius. Taken. He had not exactly asked, since the physician was in the meeting. But he knew, it would be fine.

After sharing a meal and their knowledge, they decided on continuing their conversation in bed, so he dressed his prince in his nightclothes and put on his own, before they got under the blankets.

“Aren’t you hot as fuck?!”, Arthur sighed, after lying there for a while, arms around Merlin, holding him close. He had been kissing his neck until now, sweating, because a certain someone had filled their nes- bed! with all kinds of fluffy, soft and way too warm stuff.

“Are you talking about my body temperature or my looks?”, the sorcerer mumbled, cheekily.

“Both. I’m talking about all the stuff in the bed. It’s hot in here, even with a light blanket. How can you even tolerate all that stuff?!”

“How can you not? It’s soft. I like it soft....”

“You’ve become quite spoilt, Merlin...”, the prince chuckled against his neck.

“Throw me out. Still got my mattress in Gaius’ quarters...”

“You probably couldn’t sleep without me...”

“Hmph...”

“How will you survive the discomfort of travelling? Your soft butt will make you complain all day when riding on horseback and what about the bedrolls? We will most likely spend two or three nights on the ground...”

“I’m not a fair princess. I just hate riding. I will manage. After all, you do and you’ve spent all your life on a bed this soft. Spoilt prat...”

“What was that?!”

“Heard me...”

“I think, I should teach you manners. I’ve been way too easy on you, these days...”, Arthur growled and bit down, sunk his teeth into Merlin’s neck and made him moan.

“Fuuuuhck, Arthur! You absolute prat!”, Merlin replied, suppressing a shiver.

“You really miss the stocks, right? Getting even more sassy...”

“Idiot! Absolute prat! Clodpole! Dollophead! Oh, fuck, Arthur, right there!”, he exclaimed, while Arthur’s teeth scratched his skin, not drawing blood, not actually claiming, but so very teasing hot. His hand was caressing his hip by now, lazily, but determined.

“Watch your mouth... Or should I keep it busy for you?”, the prince offered, licking his skin.

“Only you, idiot! Only you can talk like that and still turn me on...”, the sorcerer snapped, but bared his neck even further, to give him further access.

“I’m very proud of this skill...”, Arthur chuckled. And then, he kissed him, while his hand wandered under Merlin’s nightshirt and up again, over his thigh.

“Prat...”

“...’ve ya too...”, he mumbled into his mouth, but they both decidedly ignored it. Because there was no time and place for those kinds of ideas. There would never be.

The next morning, Arthur almost skipped breakfast, trying to sleep in, but Merlin would have none of that bullshit, so he forced him up, punishing him for the past night and his sore muscles.

They had a fast breakfast, then he dressed his prince for the daily training and followed him down, because he always did. It had become part of their routine, that he would watch, cleaning some weapons or rearranging the training dummies. But mostly watching. Because Arthur had not used him as a punching bag in a while. And he would not remind him of this. Because he like his physical state as it was and did not want any more bruises on his skin. He preferred the other kind, Arthur left on him., anyway.

Today, during training, they had visitors. The three warriors from the Seal’s Island, dressed in their very manly clothes, still carrying the pouches on their sides. But now they had been allowed to bring their weapons.

At first they stood close to Merlin, just watching the six knights train, all bowing slightly towards him to show respect. Which was strange. But went unnoticed.  Then, they were allowed to join. And Arthur stepped away, just watching, observing, what they did, correcting a movement every now and then.

And after a while, things just went on their own. One of the women trained with Gwaine, who soon learned that she indeed was a fighter and lost all precautions. The same happened to Percival. The Seal’s Island’s man trained with Leon and Elyan and Lancelot just had their own little fight. 

“They’re not bad...”, Merlin mumbled, putting away the now very clean sword, he had been polishing for the past thirty minutes.

“They can fight. Didn’t expect them, to be honest...”

“The women?”

“All three. But they’re fighting differently. They only have leather armour and are faster than our knights, but they seem... I don’t know. They were trained to dodge...”

“If I were facing a heavily armoured knight, I’d dodge, as well...”, the sorcerer said.

“Yes, you. But you suck at combat. You’re passable with the crossbow, but you couldn’t wield a sword, if your life depended on it...”, the prince huffed.

“Don’t need to...”, Merlin just shrugged. And Arthur knew, he was right, but would not point that out in public.

“Sires!”, Eaun greeted them as he stepped next to them. He bowed to both of them, showing his respect. “I still don’t have words to express my gratitude towards you, for agreeing to help. I will let my father know, as soon as possible.”

“Yeah, you said so already. Why can’t your warriors kill the serpent? They seem very capable”, Arthur wanted to know.

“My people are unable to harm the serpent’s skin with their blades. We tried it already, but the beast is too fast for us...”, the man explained.

“They seem quite fast, Lord Eaun...”

“They are. But we need your blade and Emrys’ power, to defeat it...”

“That’s not too far off. Remember, what I told you about the serpents?”, Merlin sighed. He still did not like idea of Eaun knowing about his powers. He barely got used to Arthur knowing and accepting!

“Remember... So, your people are capable fighters, I see that. You’re allowing everyone to become a warrior?”, the prince wanted to know, turning his attention to the foreigner again.

“Everyone who’s capable. I heard of Camelot’s laws of limitations, though...”

“Only male alphas and betas are allowed to become warriors. And to become a knight, they are usually required a title. I’ve seen women fighting, though. Been defeated by a female omega, once, so I do get your point to arm not only men...”

“That is good to hear. I feared, you’d have presumptions, regarding our traditions.”

“I don’t know much about your traditions, Lord Eaun. You haven’t mentioned much, so far, only that your people trade with the villages close to the shore and that you keep amongst yourselves a lot...”, Arthur noted.

“This is true. We don’t have much contact with the villagers on the lands around, but every now a d then one of our people brings home a beloved, who stays with us. So we learn about outsiders not only through trade, but actual exchange as well...”, Eaun explained. “I don’t think our traditions and values differ too much from yours...”

“But probably from my father’s?”

“This is not, what I said...”

“What do you wish to imply?”

“Nothing at all. Our people just place a lot of hope in Camelot’s future king....”

“However, you said, you’ll ride at noon, Lord Eaun?”, Merlin interjected their conversation, before any of this could be overheard by unwanted listeners.

“Indeed, Milord. We’ll ride out, soon after this magnificent training session. Colle will stay with you to guide you safely, while we prepare for your arrival”, the visitor replied respectfully.

“Merlin. Just Merlin...”

The next day, Arthur and his knights rode out of Camelot, lead by a Seal’s Island woman, Colle, as they had learned. Leon was riding close to her, indulging in small talk. She was one of the warriors who had trained with them the day before and the knight seemed to have gotten along with her.

Behind them rode Arthur and Merlin, watching them. They had bickered the whole ride, about how they had almost overslept in the morning for different reasons, blaming the other, of course.

Behind them rode Lancelot and Elyan, ignoring them the best they could, focussing on their own conversation, getting along well, brothers-in-law they now were.

And at the end of their group there were Percival and Gwaine, riding silently next to each other. They probably had had an argument some time before and were not talking to each other. Which was not that unusual, because Gwaine could be an ass and Percival would not have any of this. But usually they made up within hours. Sometimes because the long haired apologised, but usually because Percival would just sigh, roll his eyes and give in.

Those two alphas sure had an interesting dynamic. But since their friendship did not cause any trouble at all, no one paid them much mind. Well, sometimes Leon did, when Gwaine was late for training, sometimes still a little drunk, by scolding him and often making run a few rounds around the training ground, to sober up. But that usually had nothing to do with Percival, who was always on time and rarely ever drank much.

They rode for one day, complaining about the summer heat most of the time, then set up their camp, finally indulging in the fading summer heat. It was getting bearable now. They went to sleep, fast, deciding to take a break the next day, around the worst heat. Arthur volunteered for the watch first and as soon as everyone was asleep, he sat down, next to Merlin, caressing his head, the soft short bangs. And as Percival took over, he lay down, next to his servant, who immediately snuggled closer, but the knight ignored them, just stared into the fire.

In the morning, as they woke up entwined, Lancelot just passed them some bread and no one said a word. Things were normal. Just so very normal. Someone – probably Elyan – made a joke how Gwaine and Percival must have made up over night, but no one paid the alpha and his omega any attention.

And then, after breakfast, they rode again, until the sun was high and the heat unbearable.  They started looking for a place to rest. Colle suggested a lake, close by, surrounded by a few trees, since they all suffered from the summer heat. It had not rained in days and in full armour the knights were sweating heavily.

“I’m dying!”, Gwaine complained, as he dismounted.

“Can’t we change into light armour, Arthur?”, Lancelot agreed, wiping the sweat off his forehead.

“Phew....”, was Percival’s statement.

“Stop complaining, men! We can’t just strip!”, Arthur told them, fringe glued to his forehead.

“Technically, we could...”, Elyan said and pointed at the lake – well , it was rather a pond, but there was a small creek feeding it, so it was not dried out and probably even refreshingly cool.

“Are you suggesting a bath?”, Leon asked.

“Why not?”

“Elyan, there’s female company! We can’t just strip and take a bath!”

“Why not, Leon? Do you mind?”, Gwaine wanted to know, smirking at their guide in typical Gwaine-fashion.

“I will not join you, so do as you please”, Colle said, sitting down in the shadow, next to the horses, face averted, obviously not caring. She pulled out a dagger and a whetstone and started sharpening it.

“Won’t you freshen up, as well?”, Leon asked, carefully.

“I feel fresh. But, please, feel free to enjoy the fresh water.”

“Well, sounds like it’s settled! Get in!”, Lancelot announced, already trying to get out of his armour.

“You can’t just...”, Leon tried.

“It’s fine, Leon. Let’s bath. I feel all sweaty and sticky and…. Urgh…”, the prince decided.

“That’s because you are all sticky and sweaty and urgh”, Merlin explained helpfully. He of course was warm in his clothes, too, but not sweating as much as the men in full plate armour.

“Thanks for pointing that out, Merlin. Now make yourself useful and undress me”, Arthur grumbled, while the other knights resumed to just taking off each other’s armour in routined manner.

“Yes, Milord…”, the sorcerer sighed and rolled his eyes. But stepped behind him obediently, to loosen the laces.

“I want a manservant, tooooo!”, Gwaine complained, as Percival stripped him.

“You just want someone to strip you minimum twice a day…”, Elyan teased as he helped Lancelot.

“Wouldn’t complain… But only if the service is excellent…”

“Gwaine, you probably fucked half the servants of Camelot, already, so if anyone could know…”, Percival sighed.

“Haven’t had Merlin yet!”, Gwaine interrupted. And all five of them turned their gaze towards the servant, peeking out behind the prince.

“Huh?”, he made, had not really listened to their talk, as he had indulged in the alpha scent so close to him. The feeling of safety and strength.

“Don’t you dare…!”, Arthur growled, voice low. Since he had listened, obviously. The scent of danger filled the air. The pheromones of a protective alpha, while he shot his knight a glare.

“Hey, hey, was just joking!”, Gwaine hurriedly said, taking a defensive position, even stepping back. “Wouldn’t ever, if he didn’t want to…”

“Gwaine?!”, Arthur and Percival said in a threatening tone.

“Arthur!”, Merlin hissed, laying a hand on his alpha’s shoulder. “As if I’d sleep with you, Gwaine. You’re not that charming!”, the then added louder.

“I am very charming!”

“Gwaine?”, Percival said, shooting him another glare.

“What? I know my worth! But of course, I’d never force you, Merlin, dear”, Gwaine shot the servant a bright smile. And out of reflex, Merlin’s hand tensed at Arthur’s shoulder, keeping him, where he was, because, well, he could literally smell his jealousy. And if he could, then the other alphas would not be oblivious.

“That’s so generous of you, Gwaine, but I still refuse!”, he told him, glancing over his prince’s shoulder. No, he was not hiding behind his alpha, no matter, what his instincts were telling him. He was very capable of defending himself! Especially from those kinds of playful offers. Gwaine was not even serious! Of course, he would not mind, if Merlin ever agreed, but he would not do more than teasing him.

“You’re playing with fire, Gwaine!”, Lancelot called out, now only in his breeches.

“I like it hot, Lance!”, Gwaine winked at him, looking him up and down, still half dressed.

“I don’t think, you’d like THAT!”, Elyan said, shaking his head, and pulled his shirt over his head.

“Oh, I never minded a menage a trois, you know me…”, Gwaine grinned.

“Shut it and strip”, Percival sighed, rolled his eyes and attempted to slap his head, like he usually did, but the promiscuous knight dodged it.

“Oh, I love it, when you’re being bossy…”, he whispered, but actually did, as he was told.

Merlin felt Arthur’s shoulders loosening. Tension slowly fading. So he let go and continued undressing him. With a little more skin contact than was strictly necessary, because this was calming the alpha prince further. And… Well, Merlin could not deny that he was flattered, his alpha was being protective.

“First!”, Elyan called out, finally naked, and sprinting towards the water, followed by a very eager Lancelot and Gwaine. They all just pretty much jumped into the pond, as Leon walked towards the shore, getting in in a more civilized way, together with Percival.

Arthur watched them, now relaxed again. And naked. Just like the other men. “You should get in, too. You’re all sweaty…”, Merlin mumbled.

“Are you implying that I stink?”

“Well, if you put it like that…”, the servant smiled cheekily.

“Merlin!”

“What? Now get in, or do you want to stand here naked all day?” Which he did not actually mind, because he liked naked Arthur. And he liked looking at naked Arthur. Naked Arthur was beautiful. Well defined body, muscles standing out, the body of a fighter. Like all the knights had, none of them was in bad shape, but they just did not catch his eye, like his alpha did. Only Arthur made him feel warm, maybe even hot, when looking at his nude form. Which was why he should get in the water, soon!

“Okay, but you’ll come, too”, the prince said, still standing there, being naked, all naturally. And looking beautiful.

“Me?!”

“Of course! It’s hot!”

“But-”, Merlin started to protest, but the a splash of water hit them both. Lancelot and Gwaine looking away innocently.

Well, now he was wet. Which Arthur noticed, with a raised eyebrow and crossed arms. Fuck, he had no right, to be this beautiful! Fucking prat!

“Strip, already! It’s hot!”, the prat ordered.

And Merlin sighed, but complied. Since, after all, there was no need to be ashamed. He was just a male beta around male alphas. And also: they had all bathed together before, this was hardly new. Just… He had not been naked around anyone, since he had landed himself a quite possessive alpha… And he felt strangely ashamed to undress and be naked around anyone else. Around alphas. Though most of them did not even know he was an omega.

“Get in, Merlin!”, Elyan called out, when he was done undressing.

Arthur eyed him, smirked, then finally got into the water, where the others were already splashing water at each other.

Merlin followed, trying to not be embarrassed, because he had done this before, holy shit! No one was even looking at him! Okay, well, now they were, but only because he was obviously taking his time.

“There you are!”, Lancelot greeted him, splashing water at him, grinning.

“Hey!”, the sorcerer shrieked, because it was cold! Very cold. He turned away slightly to protect himself, but there was no use, they all started splashing water at one another, laughing, so, well, now that he was wet anyway, he could just accept his fate and do his best to actually return the favour.

“Argh!”, Gwaine shouted, as Percival dipped his head under water and pulled his leg away, so the big knight would also fall.

Lancelot laughed at them and was splashed by Elyan in return, then they all seemed to conspire against Leon and Arthur, who had been mostly unharmed and leaped at them in unison.

Ten minutes later they were all wet, clean and refreshed and resigned to just standing in the chest-deep water or floating lazily.

“Say, Merlin?”, Gwaine smiled, approaching the wet sorcerer, floating on his back.

“Yeah?”, the servant replied sceptically, because Gwaine being Gwaine usually meant, he was up to no good.

“Have you gained weight?”, the knight wanted to know, pinching his hip. “You Ha~ave!”

“What?! Hey, stop that!”, Merlin screeched and pulled away, almost tipped over his own feet and lost his balance. He ended up, falling into the water, dipping under. A wave of panic hit him. But immediately a firm hand grabbed his arm and pulled him up again. Against a not less firm chest. And even without the scent of the pheromones, he knew immediately who it was and relaxed.

“Gwaine!”, Arthur shouted, as he pressed Merlin’s back against his chest.

“What? You’re definitely feeding him well!”, the knight smirked, shrugging.

“What?”, Arthur made, now a little confused. He had not overheard their former exchange, had just saved his omega, as he had stumbled. Because he had had to.

“Gwaine’s not wrong. Poor Merlin is getting chubby!”, Elyan called out, stepping closer and looking through the water, at the servant’s middle.

“He’s eating properly, I suppose? Not saying, Gaius didn’t feed him well, but now that he has more time in the morning, he’s probably having an actual breakfast!”, Leon thought aloud. Shrugged.

“Good! He’s been way too skinny anyway!”, Lancelot grinned. Looked Merlin – still in Arthur’s arm, held close to his chest – up and down.

“Stop it! All of you! I’ve never been too skinny and I’m not chubby either! Stop teasing!”, the sorcerer complained. Blushed, now, that everyone was staring at him.

“Stop staring!”, Arthur demanded, glaring at his knights. Not far away from growling. Merlin could here the sound in his chest.

Leon, Percival and Elyan got the hint first, started minding their own business instantly. The big one by splashing water into his face, the dark tanned one by diving down, under water, swimming away and Leon by shifting his attention to the horses and the warrior, who was still sitting there, back turned towards them.

Gwaine used the order, to look both of them up and down, obviously admiring their naked forms. “I’m not staring, princess...”, he grinned.

“Gwaine?!”, Arthur growled.

“Just enjoying the view....”

This seemed to obe to much for the prince, since he suddenly let go of Merlin and leaped forward, directly at Gwaine. “I’ll teach you a lesson!”, he shouted, as the knight tried to avoid him. They started sparring.

“Arthur, stop that!”, the sorcerer called out, but soon realised, they both were not actually fighting. At least not in any potentially dangerous way.

“Let them be. Gwaine deserves some slight slaps, or he gets too cheeky”, Lancelot grinned, stepping next to the omega, while watching Arthur pulling the knight underwater.

“I’m not really one for violence in education, but in this case...”, Merlin sighed. Crossed the arms in front of his chest. Agreeing.

“He needs it. And Arthur could also use letting off some steam, he’s a little too tense since we started the trip...”

“Is he?”

“As soon as you’re not by his side, he is...”

“Oh...”

“Was not only his rut, hm?”, Lancelot mumbled, so only Merlin could hear. The others were very busy anyway.

“Not gonna answer that....”

“I see... So? How’s he?”

“Lance!”, the sorcerer hissed.

“Okay, okay. Not gonna ask! So I’m just gonna assume...”

“Don’t think, that’s any better....”

“You’re pretty much living with him, playing house. He seems to feed you well, so you’re even gaining weight. When no one’s looking you’re staring at him like an idiot....”

“Stop it! Lance!”

“You like him....”, the knight accused him with a bright smile and a sing-sang tone of voice.

“You’re projecting. Because you’re so happy with Gwen. Probably because you’re missing her right now?”, Merlin snapped back. Trying his best, to be angry or at least offended.

“We’re bonded. And the bond’s not that new any more, it’s been almost two months. I can bear being away from her some time. So no. I won’t project my feelings for her on you two...”, Lancelot smirked and turned his head slightly. Presented his already healed mating bite. Just a fine, silver mark on his sun darkened skin. It looked beautiful.

And Merlin could not help but feel a pang of jealousy, looking at it. His still bare neck would surely look good, with a mark like that. And Arthur... He would look gorgeous. Absolutely stunning with his teeth marks on him. His gaze shifted to the prince, who was still sparring with Gwaine, before he could help it.

“You’re pining....”, the ebony-haired knight noted with a smile.

“Definitely not...”

“I bet, if you weren’t on suppressants, you’d have already jumped him...”

“...’m not...”

“What?”

“Nothing...”, the sorcerer mumbled, poorly faking a cough.

“As in ‘I am not taking-‘”

“Shut it!”

“Fine, fine. Not gonna press it. But, Mers?”

“What?!”, Merlin hissed.

“You’d deserve happiness....”

“Shut it!”

“Hey, Lance! Merlin’s not all yours! Don’t keep our cute little servant all to yourself!”, Elyan interrupted their conversation.

“I’m not cute!”, Merlin shouted back out of reflex.

“You are!”, Gwaine called back, smirking. He was held in headlock by his prince. But could not hold back a comment.

“Well, he’s not wrong....”, even Leon admitted.

“Can’t disagree”, Percival shrugged.

“He IS cute. But there’s no reason for you to pick on him!”, Arthur told his knights, letting go of Gwaine.

“So we all agree on Merlin’s cuteness? And that his ass looks great, with a few more grams?” ...Which he immediately regretted, after hearing this statement. But he just shot him a disapproving look.

“Hey! Stop staring at my ass, Gwaine!”, the sorcerer complained.

“Why not? It’s gorgeous!”

“Gwaine!”, everyone called out in unison, Merlin blushing, not sure, if he should cover up or just ignore it.

“Fine, fine, let’s get out!”, Gwaine sighed, rolling his eyes, like they just did not get the marvellous joke he was telling.

Chapter Text

:

The rest of their journey passed without anything notable. It was still hot and Arthur still tended to spend his nights with Merlin close to him, best in his arms. And at the afternoon of the next day, they arrived at a small farmhouse with a stable and a wooden pier, leading into the water. Two boats were tied there.

“Grandpa! Are you there?!”, Colle called out. She had not been very talkative throughout the whole journey, so Merlin was not even sure, what her voice sounded like.

“Is that you, my child?”, a voice called back and door to the house opened. An old man stepped out, smiling, as he saw the party.

“Good to see you‘re well! Did the serpent show up at the shore?”, she wanted to know, as she dismounted and stepped toward him.

“No, goodness, luckily not. I have not seen the beast yet!”

“Did Lord Eaun arrive, yet?”, she wanted to confirm, suddenly all chatty.

“Yesterday they arrived and left the horses. Then they set over, using the boat”, the old man told her.

“Thought so. It’s too dangerous to get into the sea...”, she mumbled, then she turned to the party. “Meet my grandfather, he will take care of your horses, as we set over to my home. He’s done so for decades, now”, she then explained in a loud voice.

“Greetings, old man!”, Arthur smiled and all of them dismounted.

“I am not that old, yet! Please, be my guests. Have a meal, before you set over, Dean will lead the horses to the stable! Deaaaan!”, the man said, then turned around and shouted into the house. 

Only seconds later, a young man emerged from in there, bowed to all of them, then greeted Colle’s horse by stroking its head gently. He smiled at it.

“Dean’s living with the old man. He’s mute, by the way, not impolite. And he doesn’t like humans”, she informed them, as he lead the first two horses away.

“I totally understand...”, Merlin mumbled, not able to hide a smirk.

“That sounds just like you...”, Arthur noted, rolling his eyes. But his look was way too fond, as he looked at his omega.

“I like people. I just hate spoilt prats”, said omega told him.

“Can’t argue with that…”, Gwaine teased.

“He’s got a point…”, Lancelot agreed.

“Hey!”, Arthur grumbled, as the boy returned, leading the next horses away.

“Come on in, I have been expecting you, so the stew is ready, just need to heat it up!”, the old man interrupted their dispute and waved at them to come inside. The house was not big at all. Just a small hut, the stable almost bigger. It had just one big room with a fireplace and two beds at the side. But there was a large table inside, like he was usually expecting guests. He lead them there and they sat down. Merlin ended up between Arthur and Gwaine.

The old man went over to the stove and moved some gleaming firewood over, to it to heat the big pot on top. Colle kept her distance. Like she had done with their campfire.

“Are you alright?”, Leon asked.

“It’s in her nature to loath fire… She’s always been like this”, the old man explained, without even paying them any attention.

“That explains it. So you neither like fire, nor water? You’re sure a strange one…”, the knight said.

“Oh, no, I don’t hate water!”, Colle answered.

“What? No, that girl loves water. It’s her second nature!”, the old man said, stretching his back. He then started moving the big spoon in the pot.

“Oh, okay. But you said, you didn’t want to get in. Was it us? Did we make you uncomfortable, being all alphas and men and stuff?”, Elyan wanted to know then.

“I don’t care about alphas. My folk does not indulge in this second gender thing… And that you got something dangling between your legs is none of my concern either…”, she answered and Merlin could not help but laugh out loud at the reply.

“Stop that!”, Arthur hissed, slapping his shoulder, but not as seriously as he probably should, being the prince and all.

“You’re tough, I like that!”, Gwaine grinned, earning a reprimanding glare from said prince and Leon as well. Percival, sitting next to him, just as much placed a hand on his shoulder.

“I couldn’t care less…”

“So you just endures the summer heat?”, Elyan wanted to know.

“I… It’s hard for me to be in the water like this… Doesn’t feel right. But… I’m not supposed to… Lord Odard and Eaun will explain things to you, when we arrive home…”, she mumbled, grabbing the small pouch at her side tightly. She even bit her lip.

Arthur and Merlin exchanged a look. That sounded more than suspicious. The blonde raised an eyebrow, the servant just nodded.

“Oha, sounds fishy…”, Gwaine joked.

“Does this get any more mysterious?”, Lancelot sighed, stroking his fingers through his hair.

“Sorry for this…”, Colle just said.

“Please, dear knights of Camelot. Trust those people, they mean no harm to you at all…”, the old man told them, turning towards them from the stove.

“You must admit, this sounds… Strange…”, Arthur told him

“I do. But they have their reasons, I assure you. Please, help the Seal’s Island’s people…”

“You trust them?”, Lancelot asked, looking at the man.

“They are not my people, but I do. Prince Arthur, please, help them”, the old man begged, looking at the prince directly.

After their meal, Arthur decided to step out for a bit, Merlin in tow. They, walked a few steps, until they stood at the shore, behind the stable.

“You trust them?”, he asked his omega, almost accidentally brushing his hand against his, looking at the sea, not able to see much, aside from a few seagulls.

“The man looked honest, at least… Can’t say a thing about Colle, though…”. Merlin shrugged. Their hands continued to touch.

“Guessed so. Can you… Dunno, sense some magic or stuff?”

“I’m not some kind of magic detector…”, the sorcerer huffed and rolled his eyes, pinkie sliding over Arthur’s palm.

“No, but you’re magic. And I trust you…”

“Thanks…”

“So? Shall we trust them?”

“Something’s off… But I don’t think, it’s about magic as such… Stay on guard?”, he recommended, as the prince took his finger in his hand.

“Good idea… Oh?”, Arthur made as he suddenly noticed that they were not alone. Immediately he flinched and let go of Merlin’s hand.

Only a few metres away from them the boy was sitting. Dean. Well, not quite a boy any more, he seemed around their age, just so very pale and slender. Even more petite than Merlin was. Had been. Well, he had gained weight.

Dean was staring at the ocean and at their sudden quietness, turned his head to look directly at them. In fear. It was obvious, that he had heard them. But he did not react, just stared at them.

“Hey, you heard us?”, Merlin asked with a friendly smile, crouching down a little. Carefully, as if talking to a scared animal.

Dean nodded. Opened his mouth and closed it again, as no sound escaped. Then he looked down.

“Do you know the people from the Seal’s Island?”, he asked the boy.

Again Dean nodded, pointing at himself.

“So you are one of them?”, the sorcerer asked and again, the boy nodded.

“I see. Your people are good people, are they not?”

Again a nod.

“You’re not living with them?”

Another nod. Now the boy actually straightened, turned towards them and nestled at the laces of his collar, to expose his collarbone, where a small dark mark lay.

Without thinking Merlin got closer and stretched out his hand. He recognised those kinds of marks.

“A curse?”, he asked gently and touched the blackened skin.  The mark prickled under the tips of his fingers. His magic reacted to it, trying to reach out, explore, but almost immediately pushed back by some kind of invisible force

The boy stared at him wide eyed. Then his look went scared, pleading. And his silent mouth opened. Mouthed his true name without the slightest whisper.

“What’s going on?”, Arthur asked carefully, staying where he had been, observing the situation.

“Did they cast you out, because of this?”, the sorcerer wanted to know, voice still gentle.

The boy shook his head. Then suddenly, in one very fast movement grabbed his hand and placed it flat onto his collarbone, onto the mark.

And suddenly Merlin knew. He felt, what the boy could not voice, but he saw and felt. Love. A trade, not a curse. A deal with a witch. A faceless woman promising him a chance, the love of a man. A journey into the country, away from the water. The loss of the sea, the longing. Then, betrayal. Something had been stolen, the boy cast away. Unable to return to his people.

“So that’s why you’re not with them?”, he asked and the boy just nodded. His eyes suddenly were very wet. “I see. The old man took you in, understanding your situation...”

Again the boy nodded. Looked into his eyes. Pleading.

“You love your people. We will try to help, okay? Just stay away from magic users for now. You won’t know, what they’re up to...”, the servant smiled.

And the boy pointed at him. Eyes big.

“Okay, okay. You probably shouldn’t trust me either. But he’s the future king of Camelot. You can trust that big boy. He doesn’t look it, but he can be quite nice...”

He tilted his head.

“I know, hard to believe, hm? But he’s one of the good guys. I see, why you hate people, but he’ll take care of things. And I’ll try to help”, Merlin explained with a smile.

The boy touched his own chest. His heart. And nodded again. And then just turned on his heels and ran off, into the stable.

“What was that?”, Arthur wanted to know, still smiling at how Merlin had flattered him. He never did that in public.

“The boy wasn’t cast out from his people over there. He had to leave, because he made a mistake. I still didn’t get the whole story, but it seems, he has sold his voice to a witch and was betrayed by someone he loved. There were a lot of emotions and no real pictures... That was strange...”, the sorcerer explained, suddenly feeling tired. Immediately the prince was stepping behind him, so he could lean against his chest. Since the tumble in the pond they had switched to chainmail only, plate left with their luggage, which was a little less warm. So he could almost feel the man’s firm chest behind him.

“I see.... Did he let you see or is that a thing you can do?”, his alpha wanted to know. Curiously.

“I don’t think, I can just read people’s mind. That would be way too convenient. But I’m not a seer. I can see neither future, nor past, nor what people are up to...”, Merlin explained. Well, that was not exactly true, because he was able to scry, use crystals or other reflecting to see, what people were doing at the moment, but he was not really good at it. Morgana had way more talent on that field – which he would not tell her, of course – and was also able to see the future or at least a version of it.  So, he was not really using that skill at all.

“But he made you see things? Is he magic?”

“No, I don’t think so. At least he’s no magic user. I think, the mark allowed me, to see. It was reacting to my magic... Strange?”, he mumbled.

“A little, but it’s so you... I think, it’s okay. Interesting even, but... I think I’m still getting used to it...”, Arthur mumbled against his ear and placed a soft kiss there.

“Sorry...”, Merlin mumbled all of a sudden.

“What for?”

“For being magic. And an omega. And everything I’m doing to you. You deserve easy. Good. But this is all such a mess.... I’m making everything shitty and difficult...”, he sighed. Feeling the emotions he usually just ignored suddenly bubbling up. He really was sorry. This was not how it ever was supposed to be. He had wanted to watch Arthur’s back from afar. In secret. And now he was standing right by his side. In front of him, leaning against his chest and wanting to be nowhere else. His magic should have never been revealed. No wonder, Arthur found it strange. He hated it. He must hate him being all strange and dangerous and...

“Stop, Merlin. Stop right there, you’re shaking. You’re being into your head again. Breathe...”, Arthur whispered into his ear and held him tight. Breathed evenly.

“You don’t need to apologise. It’s okay. Things are how they are. And it’s okay. I mean, I can hold you. And I know, you can actually help. You’re powerful. And I like you close. Okay?”, he assured him in a gentle voice, kissing his neck.

“I.... Okay.... But...”

“No buts. You’ve been thinking too much recently. It’s okay. I like your magic. And your smell. I love you being an omega...”, Arthur admitted gently biting his scent gland, just to show his point.

And Merlin felt his legs becoming soft, all his thoughts suddenly very far away. Only focussed on his alpha. On those teeth. And he suddenly felt very relaxed. Head empty, he just enjoyed the closeness. Sighed and tried to grab Arthur’s head to press him closer.

“If we had the time....”, the alpha grunted against his neck, pressing against his butt and even through all the layers, Merlin could feel, what he was implying.

“Arthur, fuck!”, he gasped. Very much up for it. But it was bright daylight and they had no idea, when anyone would come, looking for them. He almost chuckled at the thought, that they had been almost too afraid to touch each others hands just minutes ago.

“Would love to... But we’ll have to wait, until we have more privacy...”, the prince growled into his ear.

“I know. Just... I fucking hate your attitude, prat....”, Merlin tried to insult him.

“Yes, yes, I know...”, Arthur chuckled and kissed his neck one more time, before carefully, slowly letting go.

When they returned to the others, they were already ready to leave. They had loaded their saddle bags and armours into one of the two boats already, just waiting for them, but none of them made a comment at all. Not even Gwaine, who would have called out anyone else for sneaking away together. Had even, when Leon and Elyan had been away for less than five minutes to take a piss in the woods.

They got onto the boat, looking at the six oars, deciding who would do the rowing. Which was – to no one’s surprise – all the knights and Colle, who just shot Arthur an almost deathly glare, as he offered to take over for the lady. So the prince and Merlin watched for the island, as they rowed across the calm sea.

And after not too long, they could make out the outlines of land in front of them, coming closer faster and faster. And all of a sudden, the calm sea started producing waves. The unnatural kind that did not seem to come from the horizon, but rather looked like emerging from a spot under water, like a stone had dropped into it. A quite large stone. And then, the boat tilted, as about twenty metres away, suddenly something emerged from the water. It looked like a giant tail. A serpentine tail.

“Holy shit!”, Gwaine called out first.

“That’s huge!”, Lancelot agreed.

“Don’t stop rowing. We need to get over, before it gets interested!”, Colle hit both of them with her foot, to remind them of what they were doing and suddenly all six warriors were rowing very fast, while prince and  servant just stared at the water, where the tip of the tail had vanished again. They could make out a dark shadow underwater, moving around. Fast. It seemed like it was circling them. The boat. And that was not good.

“Faster, men!”, Arthur ordered, staring at the ocean with worry.

“Aye, princess!”, Gwaine confirmed and the other ones agreed.

“Merlin?”, the prince mumbled, standing next to his omega. “Something you can do? It’s getting closer. Chasing us....”

“I... I don’t know...”, Merlin admitted.

“Try something. It’s coming!”, Arthur hissed.

“Alright, alright!”

“Faster, guys! Get on with it!”, he called out then, turning around to his knights, while Merlin faced the sea, mumbling something, no one could hear over the heavy panting and Arthur’s shouts. His eyes flared golden and suddenly the wind picked up. Gusts were hitting the boat from behind, making it faster, now racing towards the shore of the island.

The thing in the water was now following them directly not circling them. It was hunting them. And they went faster and faster, in inhuman speed. But no one cared. No one noticed, because they way rowing for their lifes. And then, as a giant and very ugly head rose from the water, long sharp teeth shining in an opened mouth, they reached the shore, jumped out of the boat and scrambled away from the water. Barely grabbing their swords, while making their escape.

Merlin’s eyes slowly turned blue again, while the prince pressed him against his chest, still getting further away. He had pulled him with him, against him, as they had fled.

From a – hopefully – safe distance, they stared at the giant beast.

“Fuck, that’s huge! Did you know, it was this huge?!”, Elyan shouted into their direction.

“I, I didn’t exactly get measurements from the book!”, Merlin replied, shoving the prince away pulling himself up to his feet properly, because he could not  just lie there, held by Arthur like some damsel in distressed.

“How are we supposed to fight that bugger?”, Gwaine wanted to know.

“Somehow. We will have to”, Leon swallowed audibly.

“It’s big…”, Elyan noted.

“Definitely huge. If the head is anything to go by…”, Lancelot nodded.

“I… Don’t like snakes…”, Percival mumbled, a little pale around the nose, staring at the beast wide eyed.

“You realise that NOW?”, Gwaine asked in disbelief.

“None of us actually likes that thing…”, Leon agreed with the big knight.

“Not gonna make that joke…”, Elyan mumbled.

“Spill. Anything to lighten the mood…”,  Lancelot told him.

“Fine, fine, but don’t blame me, I didn’t want to…”

“What did you want to say?”, Leon asked.

“Was saying, that not even Gwaine would fuck that thing…”, the dark tanned knight admitted.

And Gwaine broke out laughing. “Okay, okay, that point goes to you, Elyan!”, he exclaimed. “Didn’t know you had it in you!”

“That one’s good!”, Lancelot laughed as well.

They all watched the serpent scan the beach, and after not seeing anything alive close enough to fetch, it retreated. Head slowly sinking back underwater.

“We have to wait some more, then we can get your belongings. The beast is not interested in destroying things, only when hunting…”, Colle explained with a loud sigh. “It hadn’t been this aggressive before…”

“Oh, that’s great news.... More aggressive! How many people has it killed so far?”, Gwaine wanted to know, aiming for casually, but could not suppress a hysterical touch in his voice.

“About ten....”, Colle answered.

“Could have been some more, if we had been any slower...”, Elyan added.

“Good thing, we’re in top shape!”, Leon said, trying to sound cheerful.

“We were definitely very fast”, Percival nodded. “So very fast, it saved us...”

“It did! Aren’t we amazing?!”, Lance called out loudly, grinning widely.

“More than amazing!”, Gwaine nodded.

“When will it be safe, to get out belongings?”, Arthur ignored their ongoing conversation, not wanting to give them time to think about how fast they had been, while subconsciously moving in front of Merlin, shielding him from the other men’s sights. He directed the attention to the warrior.

“I can’t see it in the water any more. It might be safe....”, Colle told them, observing the water.

The Island was not big at all. Not even fifty metres from the shore, there stood a bunch of small huts. About twenty, if Merlin was counting correctly. And closer to the shore, at the other side of the island already, there was a pier, leading into the water. There were two boats tied to it. And the huts closest to the pier had obviously been destroyed by great force. Only the huts further on the island, away from shore were still standing. Aside from the huts, there was rarely anything else on the island, as far as they could see, and they could see almost the whole more or less flat island. Somewhere behind the huts, there were just a few trees and a small coop with a bunch of chicken in front of it. It did not look like a village people actually lived in. There was no livestock aside from the few chickens and some small patches with a few vegetables. Nothing like what Merlin knew from Ealdor. He really wondered, how about one hundred people would live here. Would feed here.

“Your Highness!”, a vaguely familiar voice called out, as they approached the so-called village. It was Eaun, waving at them. He was standing beside one of the bigger huts, that almost resembled an actual house.

“Eaun!”

“I guess, you’ve already encountered the problem?”, he assumed, looking at them, approaching from the plain beach.

“Fucking big thing!”, Elyan could not help but exclaim.

“Yes, we already encountered the sea serpent...”, Arthur nodded, going for more diplomatic, ignoring his knight.

“I see. Please, follow me. My father is already awaiting your arrival, my prince”, Eaun said. “Just leave your things here, my people will take care of them!”

After a small nod by Arthur, they actually dropped their supplies and armour pieces they were not wearing and followed the bearded man. Merlin put his small travel back with his most important things over his shoulder, because he would not abandon them, like the knights kept hold of their swords. There was Gaius book inside! He promised to protect it. And also... It was the knowledge they had about the mysterious magical creatures living in and by the sea.

Eaun lead them inside the house, which seemed like an assembly hall with a throne at the wall, opposite the door. On the throne, there sat a grey haired man, looking up as soon as they entered. He had the greenest eyes, Arthur had ever seen. They almost glowed, so he could see them even from several meters away.

“Welcome to you, people of Camelot! You cannot believe, how grateful we are for your visit! For your kind offer of help!”, the man said and got up, walked towards them and kneeled down, in front of them. In front of Merlin and Arthur, to be precise, because the knights had taken positions behind them. No one had watched, where Colle had gone, but she had fulfilled her duty, by bringing them here.

“You must be Lord Odard of the Seal’s Island. Nice to meet you, your son has already told us about the serpent and we saw it, too, so.... We’ll do, what we can...”, Arthur greeted him.

“Thank you so much!”

“It’s fine. But we need to talk about it all...”, Arthur told the Lord, seeing concern flicker in those green eyes at that statement . So he nodded slightly. “Can someone show my knights their quarters?”, he added then, because he did not exactly want his knights to hear about prophecies and magic and probably also Merlin. Because those people knew about Merlin’s magic, obviously.

“I will show you! Please, follow me!”, Eaun offered, bowed and smiled at the knights. Who looked a little confused, a little suspicious, but would never act against their prince’s orders. So they nodded in return, gave Arthur a confused look, but followed Eaun out of the house, as he lead the way.

‘”Arthur Pendragon, you seem to trust my people enough, to separate...”, Odard noted.

“I am convinced, you really need our help...”

“This is correct. We need you!”

“But... Why don’t you tell us the whole story, already? You see, since your people came to Camelot to propose to the king, things don’t sum up. And I don’t even mean the prophecy, the magic stuff. You guys don’t make sense. Explain”, the future king of Camelot told him.

“I will. Would you two like to sit down? This is a tale for a comfortable setting at the fireplace, at least I was told, it would be...”, Lord Odard said, in lack of a fireplace, pointing at the floor, where a few blankets and pillows were set. Now, that they looked around, they considered, that the people would gather here, sit together on the floor and chat.

Odard was the first to actually sit down. Not on the throne, but on the floor, opposite the two men.

Arthur imitated his actions and also sat, Merlin did as his prince would do. Both observed the older man with the long curly ginger hair with grey strands and long beard.

“Have you ever heard of the selkie, prince Arthur?”, the man wanted to know.

“Not really...”, the prince replied. Raised an eyebrow

“Oh, that explains so much!”, Merlin suddenly exclaimed, staring at the Lord wide eyed.

“What?!”, Arthur wanted to know, now confused.

And Odard started telling. Explaining from the very beginning, while both men just listened.

He told them about his folk, the selkie, shapeshifters who usually lived their lifes as seals in the sea. But they had started building a small village on the island, because every now and then one of them fell in love with a human. Brought them back and humans could not live under water. And neither could their children for the first years. The baby of a human and a selkie was in most cases a selkie themselves. They would grow like a regular human for about three years, then the would grow their pelt and shed it. After that they would be able to shift between forms at will, but enwrapping in their pelt.

With the years, the village had grown, most mixed families living in huts, while the others lived in the sea around them most of the time. The had established trading relationships with many village around, because the selkie would find not only large amount of fish and seafood in the sea, but also the treasures, especially clothing, from sunken ships. Which explained the large amounts of gold the had given to king Uther.

They had had no need for proper farming, since they could get everything they need by trade. Which now was impossible, because of the sea serpent. It kept them from going into the water. From finding food and treasures. It had killed twelve of them by now, because the selkie longed for the sea. They needed the sea, to feel comfortable, so every ow and then one would try to take a swim, only to get attacked and eaten by the beast.

Odard assured them, that they were good people. Entities. That they would not harm humans or lure them into the water. They were no sirens, charming humans to use them. They just wanted to live. All the humans on the island were there out of their own free will and could leave, whenever they wanted, but none of them had, even as the best had appeared about a month ago.

He told them about the old lady. A seer, who had had a vision long ago, that this would happen, but that they would be save, if the once and future king and Emrys, magic itself would defeat the serpent. That they would need to go to Camelot to request their help. Which had lead to the situation they were in now.

They also learned, that the old man living by the shore was the father of Colles mother, the only human victim to the serpent so far. She had died, as the serpent had destroyed the huts by the pier.

And after Odard had ended his story, Arthur had been very silent for a long while. Merlin tried to compare the information they had just gotten with what he had learned from Gaius’ book, because there had been a page about selkies, as well. Though the description had been more… Well, more like a human would describe what they saw. But in general it matched.

“We really mean no harm to the humans. Please, prince Arthur, Emrys, we are begging for your help”, the old man sighed, after minutes without words.

“Your seer… Can I speak to her?”, Merlin asked, as Arthur still did not speak, deep in thoughts.

“She… She went into the water the day Eaun returned without you…”, Odard mumbled with a sad face. “The beast has eaten her, as soon as she was under water…”

“Hm…”, the sorcerer made.

“Can I speak with Merlin alone? We need to discuss things”, the prince finally said. He was tense.

“Of course. I will leave you alone. Make sure to prepare some food for all of you. Take you time, please”, Odard replied immediately and got up, almost stumbled towards the door and outside.

“Are we alone?”, Arthur then asked.

“I think…”, Merlin replied, closing his eyes.

“Can you…?”

“Of course…”, he then said and mumbled a very familiar spell. Now the house was locked and no sound would reach outside. They were alone.

“Fuck!”, the blonde sighed loudly and leaned back and stretched his legs, looked at the ceiling of the house.

“Well, we knew something was off…”, Merlin agreed and just lay down, turning to the side, so he could watch his prince.

“Do you know about the selkie?”

“They are in my book, wait…”, he told him and fetched his bag, took out Gaius’ book and started turning pages.

Arthur lay down as well, turned, so he was facing Merlin and the book.

“Here, found it”, the sorcerer said and turned the book that was lying on the floor now, slightly, so he could read better. On the page there were two drawings, one of a common seal, one of a vaguely human shaped being covered in a seal’s pelt. The book advised the reader to take and burn the pelt, if they ever encountered a selkie in human form. Then the beautiful human would belong to the one who burnt the pelt. The selkie themselves were described as playful, but miscivious.

“This…”

“The general things fit… But… Well, I don’t think they’re that bad…”

“One should burn their pelt?”

“To trap them in human form. Remember the boy, Dean? The longing I felt. That must have been his longing for the sea. Because he can never return. He was suffering because of that, because he had lost his pelt… When I imagine all the others are trapped here on the island because of the serpent…”, Merlin sighed.

“You want to help. Though they are no humans?”, Arthur guessed and placed his hand on Merlin’s. Started stroking it with his thumb.

“I do… But you shouldn’t make decisions based on what I want or don’t want… You know this is bad…”

“You want to help. So we’ll help them. They’ll all die sooner or later, if we don’t kill the serpent. And it probably won’t let us escape from this island, anyway… So I’m doing what I must, I guess?”, the alpha shrugged.

“They will die. They must really long for the sea. For their home… Dean felt so sad. I don’t want them to feel sad…”, the servant admitted. He could only guess, how much they must suffer, unable to go into the sea. Could only compare it to the loss, he would feel without his alpha. And paused at the thought. Looked into his prince’s eyes. Saw, what he was feeling reflected in his eyes. The emotion was mutual.

“I wouldn’t want…”, Arthur whispered, leaning closer, without breaking their eye contact.

“You shouldn’t do things, just because I want…”, the sorcerer told him, again.

“I feel it, too, you know? I’m not heartless… Wouldn’t want them to suffer, though they are not humans…”, the prince mumbled. Lips brushing against Merlin’s now, almost touching. Just millimetres away.

“If you want to help them, that’s good… But you shouldn’t do what I want… I don’t want that power, you know?”, the omega whispered. They were close, so close. Almost touching, over the book.

“You’re hardly one to abuse it…”

“You have no idea, what I could do with it… So: help them, because you want to, not because I want you to… I could just help them without you, I guess…”

“That would only make me want to protect you. Don’t try it alone. We’ll do this together…”, Arthur said and then their lips finally touched. So very gently. They kissed, barely moving their lips, just enjoying the proximity, the feeling, each other.

“You can be so sweet, that’s unfair…”, the omega whispered against his lips.

“Anything to impress…”

“Idiot-alpha…”

“You like it…”, Arthur accused and leaned further against him. Slid his tongue into his mouth as Merlin attempted to protest and silenced him this way.

“Hnn!”, was the only answer the sorcerer was capable of, so he decided to not say anything any more and just suck Arthur’s tongue into his mouth and enjoy playing with it.

They lay there for a while, absorbed in their kiss and somehow Merlin ended up on top of his alpha, who had wrapped his arms around him, holding him close. The whole situation currently forgotten, just for a bit. Because they had not been able to. Because it felt good.

“Stop, stop, Arthur…”, the sorcerer mumbled and pulled back reluctantly, as the alpha’s hands slipped under his tunic.

“Mpf…”, was the answer and the blonde looked at him, pouting. But his hands had stilled.

“We can’t. Not here ‘n now….”

“I know… But I wanna…”, the prince sighed.  “Just a little?”

“Arthur, you did not forget the sea serpent? Or the selkie? Or your knights waiting out there?”, Merlin asked, hating to be the spoilsport, because he really, really actually wanted to, but…

“I didn’t, just… Fuck, I want to feel you…”

“I want it, too, but… C’mon, we can’t just do it here. We still somehow need to explain to the knights. And, well…”, he tried to explain, but his grumbling stomach took over for him.

“You’re hungry? Again?”, Arthur smiled, up at him.

“Who’s fault do you think it is?”

“Hmm… Dunno?”

“Yours, you fucking prat! You’re feeding me two meals a day plus snacks, whenever you have the time. No wonder, I get used to it!”, Merlin pouted now, trying to shot him a mean look. Which was not really successful, because Arthur pinched his butt cheek playfully, making him shriek.

“And that’s good. I like to make sure, you eat well…”

“Fucking alpha instincts!”, he complained.

“You don’t like it?”, Arthur suddenly wanted to know, letting go of him.

“Oh, err…”, he mumbled, because suddenly his prat looked way too insecure. “No, it’s okay. It’s fine, just… Just don’t overdo it, okay? I’m not your mate…”

“I know…”, the alpha sighed. “I know…”

They went silent. Then Merlin leaned down, to place a kiss on his forehead, very gently, before rolling off of him.

“C’mon, let’s see, what we can do about this whole sea serpent mess, alright?”, he smiled, as he tried to get up. Reached a hand out to his alpha.

“Alright, alright…”, Arthur grumbled, but took it and let himself get pulled up by his servant.

Chapter Text

An hour later, they sat at a fire in the  middle of the so-called village. They had figured out by now that those, close to the fire were mostly the humans, the selkie kept their distance from the flames. It seemed to be a matter of instinct.

The knights had pretty much just greeted them with their newly found information about the true nature of their hosts, had figured it out within minutes, while still discussing the sleeping situation, because the huts were full of people. Every mixed family had taken in as many selkie, as possible, to keep them from getting cold at night, forced into human form, as they were now.

So they had come to the conclusion, that the visitors would just sleep in the Lord’s house, since it was their assembly hall anyway. Some of the people were preparing their beds right now, as they sat outside, enjoying the slowly cooling night air, celebrating their arrival.

Gwaine was flirting with a selkie woman – at least Merlin supposed she was a selkie, because all the ones staying away from the fire had those pouches at their sides, where they probably kept their pelts in. So she probably was one.

She was wearing trousers, as most people on the island did, as far as they could see. Only some human women wore dresses. And the children all had long tunics.

Well, now that he looked at the children running around, it was really hard to assume, they all were normal humans, because some of the toddlers were unusually hairy, probably close to shedding their pelt and becoming able to transform. So of course the knights had noticed, even after interacting with the villagers just briefly.

“So... What will we do, Milord?”, Leon asked. He was sitting next to Arthur, close to the fire and looked by far most serious. Gwaine was being Gwaine, flirting. Elyan and Lancelot were playing with some of the older children and Percival was talking with a bunch of warriors, human and selkie, as far as they could tell.

“About the serpent?”, Arthur wanted to know, staring into the fire, forehead in wrinkles.

“About it all... They are not human. There is magic involved in all of this...”, the knight explained.

Merlin, sitting next to Arthur, because why would he not, he was always sitting next to Arthur, just sighed, as he listened to their talk.

“It is. But those... People... They do suffer from the attacks. I think, it is our duty to slay the beast...”, the prince mumbled.

“If you say so, Milord. I can assure you, the knights will respect whichever decision from you...”, Leon said.

“I have made up my mind, Leon. We will kill the serpent. Somehow. My father got paid for the job, we are stuck on that island and imagine the prestige, killing such a monster would mean for Camelot. I don’t see any reason, not to kill it. Even if we can not completely trust them...”, Arthur told him with a smile. “We can’t just leave without its head.”

“I see, Sire... This... You have thought things through?”

“Indeed. Though I currently have no idea, how to slay that beast exactly... I’ll have Merlin look into it, further. He brought Gaius’s books...”, he explained with a fond smile towards the servant, who did his best, not to blush at the sudden mention.

“This is good. Merlin is very capable”, Leon nodded. He had faith in the servants skills, though he did not completely understand, why. He just trusted him, liked him. Because when Merlin was involved things always somehow turned out... Well, they turned out.

They all retired for the night and went to bed in the big hall. Most of the villagers were already asleep, huts filled with way too many people, since they were not supposed to be in human shape for that long. They had all agreed on slaying the serpent, so no one complained, when Merlin grabbed Gaius’ book and an oil lamp and sat down on his bedroll, that had been placed on a thin straw mattress. Conveniently his makeshift bed was close to Arthur’s which no one even dared to mention.

“Anything, yet?”, the prince asked, while unlacing his boots. Without the heavy plate armour on, the knights were able to undress themselves, so Merlin had stuck his nose into the book, rather than fulfilling his duty as servant.

“Hm… Nothing much. Just the information, that most weapons can’t hurt the serpent’s skin… Seems like what we knew about the griffin back then…”, the sorcerer mumbled.

Lancelot’s head shot up, looking straight at Merlin. Because he knew about the griffin too well, had been the one to slay it in the end, thanks to Merlin’s enchantment, had saved Arthur’s life  that way. So he knew, what it took to slay a magical creature. But did not know that Arthur knew, who in return had no idea, Lancelot did. Which would have been an almost funny situation, but Merlin had no chance to actually laugh at it. And he would of course not resolve it by explaining that they actually both were aware, because that would mean, that Lancelot would find out that Arthur knew about his secret and he definitely did not want to tell him how he had found out. And Arthur would probably get jealous, if he found out, Lancelot knew from the beginning. Because he was a jealous and possessive alpha. Which he usually did not mind, just…

“Didn’t Lancelot slay the griffin back then?”, Elyan asked. “That’s why you two brought him back with you, right?”

“Yes?”, Merlin replied. Oh, yes, they were not alone. And the others were not aware of the actual story.

“Lancelot did. Indeed, but as far as I know, he used a special blade that had been destroyed, when he dealt the final blow?”, Arthur answered in his place, because well, someone had to say something.

“Yes, now I remember. I picked that thing up from the forest floor and just did, what I had to, I mean, it was about to kill our prince here!”, Lancelot explained. Which was not the whole truth, but hey, close enough.

“Yes, yes. So… We don’t have a blade like that right now… And I don’t know, where we should get one this special… I mean… So we’ll have to see, what we can do… What you can do…”, Merlin sighed.

The book really did not tell them much. Just had a basic description, a painting of the serpent and some blurry brush strokes, looking like the artist had somehow tried to paint some bushed next to the beast for size comparison, but had failed miserably. There was not even a hint at what to do, how to slay the beast, just the warning, that weapons would not work.

“Go to sleep, men! We’ll think of something in the morning!”, Arthur ordered, and so the sorcerer closed his book with another sigh and crawled into his bedroll, just half a metre away from his prince. So very close. The others slept with way more distance. Whoever had arranged this, had been aware of some things, he guessed, because that was the only explanation. Or the people here just thought, that a servant had to stay close to his master, but then.... They were aware, what he was, were they not? 

He did not understand it… But he was so very tired by now. Had been easily exhausted lately. Because he had not been used to those trips and the summer heat and everything. Fuck, he just wanted to cuddle with his alpha, sleep safely in his arms. But he could not. Not while everyone was looking… This was still prince Arthur of Camelot! The once and future king! And not just some random alpha of his own low status… Also he was a beta! For the knights he was a beta, so this kind of behaviour was not even seen as something natural for him. So… No cuddles for him, tonight…

Or maybe after all, because as he woke up, he felt a pair of arms safely wrapped around him and a warm body against his back. He blinked his eyes open. He was lying on this makeshift bed, next to him, actually on the wooden floor, there lay his alpha, his prince, still fast asleep, holding him tight. At least this was what the situation looked like from his point of view, because he could not actually turn around, just turn his head.

He smiled. Arthur must have given in to his instincts, moving closer to his omega, with only his blanket. Which seemed quite uncomfortable. Probably he would complain, as soon as he was up.

Because the days were long and the nights were short, the sun was already up, while the knights were still fast asleep. Maybe he would just stay like this for a while, enjoy the warmth and proximity, while no one noticed? Just a little longer….

“Up?”, a sudden whisper drew his attention. Made him open his eyes wide and look around. Lancelot, about two metres away from him was lying awake, winking at him.

So Merlin nodded, because, well, he was up.

Lancelot quietly extracted himself from his bedroll and crouched over to him. Arthur let out a light snore, but did not react, just held him tight.

“What?”, the sorcerer wanted to know.

“You look cute together…”, the knight smirked.

“Lance!”, Merlin hissed, without moving a muscle.

“Wanted to ask you something…”

“Yes?”

“About the serpent…”

“Yes?”

Still Arthur did not react. Which was good. But suddenly he did not feel that comfortable in his arms any more, because he had been caught. He had let himself enjoy his prince just a little and now Lancelot was aware… Even more than before.

“We will need some of your tricks, won’t we?”, the knight whispered, so only he could hear.

“Probably…”, Merlin admitted, biting his lower lip.

“Do you know what to do?”

“Not yet… There’s nothing in the book, so far…”

“Nothing?”

“I have the feeling, I’m missing something, but… No chance…”

“Fuck…”

“Hmm..”

“We can’t just wave our swords at it, I suppose?”

“You can try…”

“I value my life, you know? Gwen’d kill me, if we can’t spend her next heat together…”, the knight winked.

“I though, she was on suppressants?”

“Not any more…”

“Oh, congrats. Then I’ll do my best to get us out there alive…”

“Hnnn?”, Arthur suddenly made behind his servant and started hugging him tighter. Began to move. Was about to wake up.

“I’ll take a walk, don’t do anything, I wouldn’t…”, Lancelot grinned at him and stood up, stretched and left the house, while Arthur yawned into his omega’s ear.

“Hnn?”, he made again, blinking.

“Awake?”, Merlin asked in a gentle voice, trying to turn in his arms.

“Think so… What time issit?”, the prince just mumbled, voice heavy with sleep.

“Morning. But the others are still asleep…”

“Others?”, Arthur yawned. And then his body tensed, as if he had only now grasped the meaning of the word. “Oh…”, he then made and reluctantly let go of his omega.

“Now, you’re awake…”, the sorcerer chuckled, turning towards him.

“Why am I lying on the floor?”, Arthur grumbled, only now realising, he was.

“Good question…”, his not-mate smiled. Took a quick glance around to check if everyone was still asleep and after he was sure, they were, placed a quick peck on the blonde’s lips. “Maybe because you missed me?”, he then dared to imply.

“Merlin?”, the prince mumbled, eyebrow raised, but was not able to maintain a strict tone. Because his omega was beaming at him.

“Yes?”, said omega wanted to know, innocently.

“Just forget it… Argh, that’s not comfortable…”, Arthur complained and stretched, still lying between their beds.

“Spoilt prat…”, Merlin huffed, amused.

“Pillow princess…”, the prince spat back accusingly, eyeing him, still lying on his straw mattress, curled into his bedroll.

“Do you even know what that means?”, the dark-haired wanted to know.

“Of course!”

“Hey, princess, not so loud!”, Gwaine interrupted them sleepily. Yawned.

And Merlin used this, to actually sit up, turning around, covering his prince from views, so he could more or less keep his dignity, not having to explain why he had been sleeping on the floor.

“It’s time to get up, anyway, Gwaine!”, the sorcerer announced.

“Do we have to?”, the knight complained.

“Well, the early bird and so on…”, Arthur said, from behind Merlin, now sitting on his mattress, stretching some more.

“Fuck that bird!”, Elyan yawned, turning away, pulling the blanket over his head.

“Hey guy, they have breakfast for us!”, Lancelot announced cheerfully, as he stepped inside again.

“Breakfast?”, Percival ad Leon replied in unison and both raised their heads.

“Yes, they are baking some bread right now!”, Lancelot told them.

“Fresh bread?”, Elyan asked, now way more awake, than before.

“Get ready, they are all up, already!”

“Don’t you dare commanding my knights, Lancelot!”, Arthur complained, but did stand up to stretch again. Merlin could have sworn, he heard his bones shifting back to their original places. “Merlin? My boots!”

“Yes, yes. Just give me a second”, he sighed and could not help but roll his eyes. Then he turned around, like a good servant, and helped his prince into his boots.

They did not put on their armour, this time, enjoying the freedom of movement for now, as they all stepped outside and were greeted by selkie and humans alike. Some people – most likely humans – were baking flatbread over the fireplace they had used as campfire yesterday.

“Prince Arthur, Em-, Merlin, I hope, you slept well?”, Lord Odard greeted them with a smile. He was sitting on the ground, away from the fire. Looked at them full of hope.

“Yeah, thanks, we did…”, Arthur replied.

“Great! Please, eat with us. I already told one of your men, you don’t need to hold back, we share what we have with you!” Which, to be honest, was not much, because thanks to the sea serpent they had severe problems ensuring getting enough supplies. Every journey to the land was dangerous and could get the participants killed easily. That much the visitors from Camelot had understood, by now.

“Thanks!”, Merlin still smiled, appreciating the gesture.

After breakfast, the knights, under Arthur’s command, decided to train a little with the selkie warriors, while Merlin locked himself into the assembly hall, studying his book.  He read every sentence again and again, forwards and backwards, because he had a feeling, that there was some more. There had to be more. He had felt it! This was why he had packed the book, after all. Because his feeling had told him so. His magic.

But he could not make sense of the words. There was no clue, no proof of a solution. How could they kill the beast?

“Still nothing?”, Arthur interrupted his thoughts, closing the door behind him.

“Nothing at all… It’s frustrating…”, Merlin sighed, looking up from the book after what felt like hours.

“It is. We can’t just try to attack that thing… I mean it lives in the water, we can’t really fight it from the shore…. And on a boat might be suicide with the heavy armour…”, the prince mumbled, sitting down next to him.

“And we can’t even harm it… Even if we could bring it out of the water…”

“You can’t just… Dunno, magic something?”

“Nope. Can’t just make things up. Works for easy things, but not for killing a sea serpent…”

“But you can make things up?”

“More or less. Sometimes I can just ask my magic to do things for me. Like locking that door. Or yours at home. It works most of the times, because I know what I want and how I want it. But it’s always easier to just learn a spell and use it to do things. Because then my magic can’t interpret. Wouldn’t dare anything big without knowing what I’m doing…”, the sorcerer explained, because they were alone, the door locked and the room soundproof. For this he did not need a spell any more, he knew what he wanted by heart.

“I see… I think?”

“It’s like a technique, when fighting. When you know, what you do, did it often enough, it just works, but for more complicated things, you should learn proper techniques. Especially when confront with unknown enemies…”, he tried to compare it, but did not know much about combat, because he just watched and sometimes served as a punching bag, but he never really learned much….

“Makes sense… So you’d need a spell to go against the serpent?”

“Yes. But… I don’t know. Something IS up with the book, with the page, but I can’t figure it out… It’s frustrating…”

“Hm… I see… I trust your intuition…”, Arthur told him, leaning against his shoulder to take a look at the now familiar book. “What’s that?”, he then asked, pointing at the ugly bushes in the picture.

“Expression of the lack of talent? I think, it should be bushes. For size comparison...”

“But why not just draw a human next to it?”

“Hmm... Good point....”, Merlin mumbled, staring at the ink stains aka bushes.

“You helped me when you spilled that ink on my papers once. Can’t you use that spell to, dunno, erase those things?”, the prince suggested.

“That was more than once! And mostly was your fault, because you were distracted by me just existing in your room...”

“You were waving that sexy ass at me!”

“Oh no! I wouldn’t ever!”

“Of course, you would! But okay, back to topic. Magic”, Arthur tried to redirect their conversation. Because Merlin’s butt was the last thing he wanted to think about right now, because that would make him want to touch, to feel, to... Fuck, that butt really was appealing.

“Yes, magic. What was it again?”, the sorcerer thought. Tried to remember the spell and not what had happened after he had cleaned Arthur’s desk. How the prince had lifted him onto the desk and kissed him and then licked him all over. Literally, all over. Oh fuck! Not the right moment! “Ah! Yes!”, he called out, now bright red in the face and concentrated on the spell. Stroked over the paper with one hand, while his eyes turned golden.

And really, as he removed the hand, the bushes were gone. And underneath the ink stains, there were fragile golden letters, written in the old language. So small, one could hardly read them. But he just knew. Recognised the spell instantly for what it was.

“What’s that?”, Arthur wanted to know. Had been distracted by the beautiful golden eyes and only just now noticed the change in the book. 

“A spell...”, the sorcerer just said, still not believing that this had worked.

“Can you... Read that?”, the blonde asked then, looking at the letters

“Actually, yes. It’s the ancient language...”

“And you can?”

“I know how to speak the spell. It’s intuitive, I think....”, Merlin tried to explain, stroked over the lines with the tip of his index finger and whispered them out aloud. Tried to pronounce them correctly, but nothing happened at all. Only, he could feel a light tickling in his fingertips.

“Oh. Did it.... Work?”

“No. Not yet. I’ll need to practice. It’s a difficult one...”, he admitted.

“Okay. Can I help? Do anything?”, Arthur offered.

“Phew... Just buy me time? I’ll try it, but... Well, I need some time to do so...”

“How long did you need with the griffin spell?”

“Lets just say: a while.... Train with the knights, I’ll make sure to master this and then we’ll work out a plan....”

“We can’t drag it out very long... They expect us to do something. And I guess the knights will wonder, too, why we won’t do anything...”, the prince sighed nudging his cheek with his nose.

“Tell them something. A new technique or whatever. Give me a day at least, okay? I’ll work this out...”, Merlin sighed, frowning. Staring at the words. Repeating them inside his head.

“I will. Trust you...”, Arthur nodded and kissed his cheek.

“Thank you...”, the dark-haired smiled and turned towards him. So the alpha could kiss his mouth.

“You’ll do it....” Another kiss. “I’ll make sure, they are busy...” One more kiss. “Maybe they’ll learn about aquatic combat?”, he voiced his thoughts, as he kissed him again.

“Sounds good...”

“And when we’re done here, I’ll take you to bed and make sure, you get the very best treatment ever, hm?”, Arthur suggested kissing him again and again.

“Hmm... Sounds good...”

“Want me to treat you like a princess, or would you want to....” More kisses were exchanged.

“Want what?”

“Well, we haven’t really... Yet... I mean, all the way...”, the blonde mumbled and blushed.

“Are you offering me your ass in return for mastering that spell?”, the sorcerer smirked at him

“Err... Wouldn’t phrase it like that...”

“But I would... So?”

“Maybe... Yes.”

“Sounds tempting...”, Merlin grinned, leaned in and kissed his alpha properly.

Half an hour later, Arthur emerged from the house and closed the door behind him. He could not hide a smile that could by someone daring be described as goofy, but of course none of his knights would dare to even assume that.

“We’ll train some more, today and tomorrow. And the day after, we’ll be ready to challenge the serpent! Got that, men?”, he told them then, after he had managed to look serious again.

Everyone nodded. Raised their swords.

“You sure? Do we have a plan?”, Lancelot dared to ask.

“Merlin said, he might have found the serpent’s weakness. There is a text, he needs to translate, but without Gaius, it might take some time...”, the prince explained. Which was not a real lie. He was translating things. And he needed time. Rephrasing things really had it’s advantages.

“Sounds good, so we’ll let the boy work his magic and make sure, we’re ready to hit whatever weakness it will be?”, Gwaine suggested with a bright smile.

“He’ll work things out and we’ll kick that snake’s ass?”, Elyan agreed.

“Do snakes have asses?”, Leon wondered.

“I think so. They do poop...”, Percival answered. “At least snakes do....”

“They have to leave the... That somewhere...”, Elyan said.

“Are you really talking about THAT?”, Lancelot asked, shaking his head.

“Obviously. They have no idea, that snakes have a cloaca”, Gwaine just shrugged.

“A wha-, no, wait. Don’t answer that. I don’t wanna know...”, Arthur just sighed. “Just c’mere, we’ll train some more...”

“So?”, Morgana asked, as her maidservant entered her chambers. “Any gossip to share?”

“Milady, I don’t spread gossip, you should know that!”, Gwen sighed and shook her head.

“I know, but it’s boring without the boys, so? What does the grapevine say?”

“Okay, okay, I’ll tell you. But it’s really not that interesting right now...”

“C’mon, I’ll tell you some interesting things about your Lancelot in return...”, Morgana winked and pointed at the bowl on the table. She had practised scrying ever since.

“You have spied on Lancelot?”, the maidservant wanted to know, raising and eyebrow.

“Don’t worry, he’s faithful to you, so?”

“The servants can’t get into Arthur’s chambers. He has locked them and no key seems to fit. So they are speculating, what there is to hide, since no one has entered the chambers in ages. Usually it’s just Merlin taking care of everything, because he’s the only one who can deal with his Highness’ mood swings...”, she told her Lady with a sigh. “Everyone is curious, you see? They actually just wanted to clean, but they can’t...”

“I see... So, any specific rumours going around?”

“None like the mistress-stuff that was spreading months ago. They don’t believe someone could hide in there for a week without food and water...”

“At least they’re not totally far off this time...”

“Do you know, what’s inside?”

“Just have a vague idea... But no, no one’s hiding there. Our alpha prince is just protecting his lair...”, Morgana smiled.

“Is he?”, Gwen wanted to know. She seemed surprised. Because, well, it was common knowledge, why an alpha would suddenly start protecting a lair. Like Lancelot had, after they had bonded and moved into her father’s old house. They had renovated the whole place with the help of the knights, but at some point her mate had not wanted any other alpha in there, had just wanted to be alone with her, protect her.

“He always hated people entering his chambers as they please. He actually had always only just allowed Merlin, hasn’t he?”

“Yes. I think. Because the others don’t like being yelled at anyway. It’s much easier, to just meet him in the hallway, when he’s in a good mood. When he’s on edge, everyone is glad, this beta takes over.... Though, I must admit, I wonder, why Merlin’s putting up with his tantrums... No omega would stand it for long...”, the maidservant sighed.

“He likes him, Gwen...”

“Milady, please!  I know, he does, but now that Merlin’s not here, you don’t need to tease...”

“I’m not teasing. They like each other. They’re just stupid...”, Morgana shrugged.

“You think so?”

“I’m convinced. And sometimes, idiots just need a nudge into the right direction...”, she added, while playing with the glass in her hand. The pills in it made a small sound, as they were turned.

“Pardon?”, Gwen asked.

“Nothing at all. So, I wanted to tell you about your husband...”

“Yes?”

Merlin was able to practise the rest of the day. And in the evening Arthur entered the room again with a large tray with food. Two big bowls of stew and more bread. Also some dried fish.

“Told the knights, not to disturb you. Eat”, he ordered his omega and passed him the food.

“Thanks, I’m starving!”, the sorcerer grinned and took the bowl from him.

“Dig in”, Arthur offered and sat next to him. Placed the tray on the floor, next to the book.

Merlin had wandered around in the room while practising, had stood and lay and sat pretty much everywhere, and had now returned to sitting on his makeshift bed.

“Maybe it’s not so bad, to have you feed me properly...”, he mumbled into the spoon.

“I’m an alpha, I have to provide...”

“Don’t have to. But thanks, anyway...”

“I want to. Have to make sure, you’re fine. And comfortable...”

“Hmpf...”

“Hey, I’m being nice here, don’t pout. I’m even putting up with what you did to our lair!”, the prince complained.

“I didn’t do a thing!”

“You turned the bed into a fluffy nest! It’s way too warm in the middle of summer!”

“It’s not! It’s cosy! Also: it will be much hotter in August, so don’t complain! It’s better than any forest floor!”

“Yes, yes, it is. But I really wonder, that you don’t complain about this bed here, I mean, you can’t compare this to ours...”

“I can put up with that. I often slept on the floor, back at home, when we couldn’t afford enough straw for a new mattress. I’m used to uncomfortable... More worried about your royal ass”, Merlin winked and emptied the bowl.

“Won’t complain. I can sleep even less comfortable”, the prince nodded. “Will you need more of my straw? Are you sleeping well?”, he added, looking down at his mattress.

“Did you really just...? Fucking alpha! Please, you can’t just offer that! I’m not your mate, you still remember?”, Merlin mumbled, lowering his gaze. Blushing.

“Know that... Still want to spoil you... ‘ts my duty, after all...”, Arthur answered caressing his hand with his own. “I want to...”

“Hmpf... Okay. But it’s really fine like this. Pass me the bread, instead, yes?”, the sorcerer smiled, offering the olive branch, sign of peace.

“Of course. Here, eat some fish, too?”, the alpha offered, as he passed him the bread.

“No, thanks. Don’t like the smell. Makes me not feel good...”, the sorcerer admitted. Looked at him.

“Oh, yeah. Right. You’re not into fish at the moment...”, Arthur remembered. “You ate it before?”

“I know. Usually I like it. But I think, I’ve eaten too much at one point in the last few months, probably because a certain someone is always feeding me stuff...”, Merlin noted,. Raising an eyebrow.

“Hey, it’s only been... Err... Not that long, I think... “

“Four months, so far, since you started this ‘feeding me stuff’-thing....”, he reminded his alpha. But grabbed his hand and held it firm, to take the bite out if his statement.

“Fuck, that long, already?”, the prince huffed in surprise. He honestly had not counted. Not paid it much attention. And so only just now realised, what it meant. There were only about four, maximum five more months to go until all of this had to be over, until Merlin’s next heat was coming. Until he would take those new suppressants and... And would stop smelling this endearing. Would move out of their lair – his chamber!, Arthur corrected himself, because it was not a lair, just a room with a bed, a very comfy bed that looked very much like an omega’s nest – and be gone. Would return to just being his beta servant. And he would have no valid reason to not finally marry some omega and start all this ‘getting a heir for the kingdom’-duty. Because Camelot needed a heir, since he was the only successor to the throne and his father would not be satisfied without a whole bunch of grandchildren, equalling power.

They were running out of time together! Arthur suddenly realised this and just stared at his omega, a strange mixture of fear, longing and deep sadness in his eyes, because... He did not want to let go. No matter how impossible this was. Though he just could not. Merlin was everything Uther loathed. He could under no circumstances introduce him as his mate, not even as his paramour or favourite or bedwarmer or whatever – not that this was a suitable title for his Merlin at all! Merlin deserved so much better, so much more! Because Merlin was... He was just Merlin.

“Hey, where did you wander off?”, the omega asked with a gentle smile, pulling him out of his thoughts. Making him blink a few times.

“I... It’s just... Thinking of what lies ahead...”, he finally admitted with a sigh.

“Oh... I see...”, Merlin replied, smile turning sad. He knew. How could he not? Merlin was smart. “Well, shouldn’t we focus on the near future, rather? Get rid of the serpent and return home?”, he then offered, as distraction.

“Hm... Probably... Still owe you, when we get home, don’t I?”, the prince went along with it, appreciated his smart, clever and oh so gentle omega.

“Let me fulfil my part of the deal, before you offer yours, hm?”

“Fine. How’s it going?”, he wanted to know, because he was generally concerned.

“Couldn’t get a hold of it, yet. But I’ve gotten better already. Worked out the pronunciation, by now... Just need to focus on it more...”, Merlin told him.

“I see. I’ll leave you to it? Will knock, when I get in with the knights...”

It was the middle of the night. The full moon was enlightening the courtyard, which was the only reason why the cloaked figure sneaking out of the castle was visible from her window. She had suddenly woken up, like the nights before and just looked outside, seen the figure leaving, like on the nights before, and wondered. Something was definitely going on. Something suspicious.

Her magic had woken her, was probably trying to show her this. But she did not know, what she should do with that information. She could not spy on the figure, because she did not know, who it was. She just knew, they went out and came back about an hour later. All alone. Just went back into the palace and vanished.

She shook her head. Rubbing her temples. She was getting a headache. Something was up.

He spent the whole day locked inside, practising the spell and finally, finally felt it. Felt able to cast it, the magic rushing through him in just the right way. He did not exactly know, what it would do, but he knew, it would be good. Something would happen!

So he finally emerged from the house, stretching his limbs, blinking, in the last rays of sunlight. It was late already, he had not realised. But yes, dinner had already been a while. Arthur had brought it to him and they had eaten together.

“He’s back!”, Leon called out, spotting him first.

“Merlin! Hey, did you figure things out?!”, Elyan greeted him.

“You look pale, come, enjoy some of the sun!”, Percival invited him.

“Come, sit with us, we’re absolutely done for the day!”, Gwaine, wrapped an arm around his shoulder and lead him towards the resting party.

“I can see that!”, Merlin replied, giving in to the playful alpha. He could really use some company, after he had locked himself in that long.

“Have some mead! They allowed us to empty those bottles!”, Elyan grinned pointing at three bottles standing between them.

“Sit!”, Lancelot smiled and he actually sat next to him. Looked around, because his alpha was nowhere to be seen.

“Where’s...?”, he started.

“Talking to Eaun, over there, don’t mind him”, the married man winked.

“Right, have some fun with us!”, Gwaine grinned and sat on his other side. 

Elyan passed him a goblet. “So? We’ll be able to defeat that thing now?”

“I hope. Still need to confirm with Arthur, but....”

“It’ll work out, Merlin here’s our best boy after all!”, Gwaine smiled and pulled him in.

“Drink!”, Leon called from across them and raised his goblet.

They all did. Merlin just sipped on his goblet. The mead was sweet, but still, he did not like the taste. Way too nervous about what was to come. His stomach might react to it, this had happened before. So, when Arthur has finally noticed him and pressed himself between him and Gwaine, he just passed the goblet over to him, urging him to empty it.

“Thanks”, the prince said and complied. Their shoulders touching, because Gwaine had been reluctant to move any further than strictly necessary.

“What did Eaun say?”, the omega asked, conversationally.

“Nothing much We were just chatting about tomorrow. About how to best lure the beast close to the shore, so we can attack it...”, Arthur shrugged.

“I see..”

“He volunteered, to lure it to us. Said, he’s the fastest swimmer...”

“Oh...”

“He insisted... And I actually think it is a good idea...”, the blonde admitted with a sigh.

“Sounds good... He was fast with the dagger, so I guess, he’s fast at swimming, too?”, Leon thought out loud. 

“He’s a selkie, so he definitely is faster than us!”, Elyan reminded him.

“Oh, yes...”, the head of the knights remembered.

“I’d like to see it... Would be interesting, I guess...”, Percival admitted, having been quiet until now.

“Might be hot... I’ve never seen a shifter...”, Gwaine grinned and refilled his goblet.

“You would literally fuck everything!”, Elyan accused him.

“No! I wouldn’t !”

“But close to. You want to try landing one, while we’re here, don’t lie, Gwaine, saw you getting all friendly with the selkie woman before”, Lancelot called him out.

“Hey! That’s not fair!”, Gwaine complained loudly.

“That’s you. No one here expects anything else, actually”, Percival shrugged next to him.

“I see...”, his comrade sighed, and emptied his goblet in one go. “I think, I can use some air...”, he then said and stood up. Waved at them and stroller off, vanishing between the huts.

Leon just shrugged and refilled his and Elyan’s goblet. Percival stared after him, face blank.

“Why don’t you go, Perce?”, Lancelot suggested, leaning forward, looking at the big knight.

“I... I don’t know...”

“You should. He’s pouting...”, he told his best friend.

“He’s probably already busy...”

“Perce, just talk already. It’s really not that hard. What could go wrong?”

Percival shot him a glare, reminding him that there was a lot, that could go wrong, but then he got up with a loud sigh and followed behind Gwaine.

“Do we wanna know?”, Merlin asked, after all he and Arthur had sat right next to them and had witnessed whatever that had been.

“Just an argument. They were quarrelling for days already...”

“I didn’t notice?”, the sorcerer mumbled.

“Because they’re professionals. Don’t worry, they’ll sort it out...”, Lancelot smiled at him.

“Say, Lancelot... Is there any chance, that they...”, Arthur started, but then stopped himself. “Nah, nevermind...”

“You’re not that far off, princess... But that’s a thing between them...”

“Wait, what?!”, Merlin wanted to know, staring at Lancelot.

“My lips are sealed, my friend. Otherwise, who knows, what might spill out...”, the knight teased him with a smirk and ruffled through his hair. Which had lead to Merlin being pulled out of his grip by Arthur, held against the royal chest.

“Stop it, Lancelot!”, the alpha growled, hardly concealing how much he disliked Merlin being touched by anyone.

“Sorry, sorry!”, Lancelot laughed, raising his hands to calm his prince.

“Arthur?”, Merlin mumbled in a tone that implied, they had had exactly this conversation before. Turned around slightly to look into his eyes, eyebrow raised.

“Got it...”, the dominant alpha sighed and let go of him.

Chapter Text

The next day was the day. The day they would fight the sea serpent. The knights prepared themselves, still not completely aware, what they were actually doing, but their prince had faith, and they trusted him whole heartedly. So they all went out, to the shore, Eaun walking by their side, Merlin following several steps behind. He would remain mostly put of sight, he hoped, casting the spell from safe distance, hopefully making the serpent weak, so the knights could slay it.

That was the plan. Not much of a plan at all, but the best, they could do. Eaun opened his pouch, as soon as they arrived and pulled out a thin, soft brown pelt. It was shimmering in the sunlight. He wrapped himself in it and within mere seconds turned into a big, brown seal. It robbed towards the water and inside and as soon as it was in deep enough to swim, the former plump movements turned into those of an agile, practiced swimmer. The seal swam up and down the beach for a few seconds, then dove underwater and out of sight.

They all watched the quiet water. Without a word. And then, after about two minutes, suddenly the sea became less quiet like bubbles emerging from the depth and then, right in front of them, a dark silhouette appeared.

And all of a sudden, Eaun, still in the shape of a seal, emerged from the water, racing towards the shore. Tail whipping the water with incredible speed. And there, behind him, a head arose, the serpent was following him close. Mouth wide open, ready to swallow him down.

He sped out of the water, ripping the pelt off himself, stumbling into the sand, away from the water. Past the knights and away, since his duty was done.

And the knights wielded their swords, as the serpent, still mostly  underwater, changed its target, attacked them instead. Merlin, hopefully in safe distance, stared at the beast and took a deep breath. No one was paying him attention. So he could rise his hand, look at the serpent and concentrate. Muttered the spell he had learnt and felt the magic rush through him, tickle in his fingertips. His eyes glowed golden, as the knights attacked the beast with their swords, careful, not to run straight into the water in their heavy armour.

But their swords did not seem to do the slightest harm to the beast. So he concentrated. Recasted the spell, louder this time. And louder. And then it suddenly felt like a thunderstorm, like the magic in him suddenly discharging into his surroundings, through his fingers and towards the serpent.

Still casting, he barely noticed, what his magic did. It enwrapped the serpent and pulled it in, out of the water, onto the beach.

The knights stared at what happened in disbelief, then, suddenly scrambled back, away from the water, as the beast came closer and closer, levitated over the sand, towards the sorcerer.

Which took them all a few seconds to realise.

“Merlin!”, Arthur exclaimed in fear. Head turning towards his chanting manservant and then, he ran. He sprinted towards him, to protect him from the serpent  that was now fully out of the water and even larger than they all had expected.

Lancelot, hearing him shout, saw exactly what Arthur was seeing and followed him, sword in hand, ready to protect his friend.

Gwaine’s reaction was the same, he sprinted towards the sorcerer, ready to protect.

And then, then Merlin was done. The spell cast, the serpent landing in the sand like a wet sack dropping down with a loud ‘thud’. The sorcerer stared at what he had done, just for a moment, before his legs gave in. He dropped to his knees, panting heavily, serpent only a few metres away from him. Eyeing him. Angrily, though a bit confused.

“Leon, Elyan, Percival, attack!”, Arthur exclaimed, finally having reached his omega, crouching down next to him, as Lancelot and Gwaine shielded them from the serpent, without any need to communicate further, they just acted.

The other three knights stood there for a few more seconds. Stunned. Unable to react at first. They had just witnessed Merlin, the prince’s manservant, work magic! Making the serpent levitate out of the water, dropping it onto the sand. And Arthur did not seem to care. On the contrary, he rather seemed to worry about his magic manservant.

“Guys!”, Lancelot called out, as the serpent approached their group.

This seemed to remind them of their duties and their problem, because all three of them started moving in unison, still a little stunned. They stumbled towards their friends, swords held firm, in front of them, ready to stab the beast.

“It seems angry...”, Gwaine noted.

“Are you all right, Merlin?”, Arthur wanted to know, all attention on his omega.

“Yes, just a little... Didn’t expect that...”, the sorcerer admitted.

“Well, now we can at least properly attack it. Can you retreat? Get somewhere safe?”, the prince asked, stroking his shoulder.

“Just a moment. I’m a little tired, was a big spell...”

“Well, that thing’s heavy as fuck, so no wonder!”,  Gwaine grinned, without turning around.

“Please say, we can kill it now!”,  Lancelot begged.

“I hope!”, Merlin replied.

“Get away, soon”, Arthur said, pressed the hand onto his shoulder, then grabbed his sword and joined his men. They started attacking the angry beast. Now it seemed way slower, than before, not able to move as freely on land. But their swords still did not have a big effect. Which they realised in horror.

Merlin watched them, catching his breath. Usually working magic did not tire him like this, but maybe Gwaine was right and it was because the serpent was really quite heavy. He thought. Calculated. What could he do? How could he help?

Well, the cat seemed out of the bag anyway, so he could as well use his magic to help, now that all of the knights must have seen him casting. So he rose, stood firm and held out his hand. Casted a still vaguely familiar spell. A fireball forming, flying towards the serpent’s head, hitting it there. The small explosion this caused, lead to the knights taking a step back, as the beast let out a strange sound. Probably of pain? Merlin hoped. It seemed distracted for a moment, but then it just shook its head, burnt flesh visible at one side, though only a small area, eyeing the sorcerer.

It showed its long fangs and seemed to just ignore the knights. Sliding towards him, as fast as the new experience with gravity would allow it.

“Fuck!”, Merlin exclaimed, getting ready to cast another fireball, but he had been too busy with the head of the beast, that he had neglected paying any attention to the rest. Which included the large, thin tail. Not so heavy, and thus easier to fling around.

The beast used it to aim at Merlin and throw him off his feet. In one absolutely unexpected blow, he was flying towards the shore, serpent following. Tail following, to be precise. It seemed to ignore the other knights and their swords completely, now only focussed on the man who had managed to hurt it. And with another whip of it’s tail, Merlin was sent flying again. This time right into the water. Out of sight.

“Merlin!”, Arthur cried out desperately, just able to watch things happen. And then, all of a sudden his omega was gone. Underwater. Not visible anymore. And his alpha raged, torn between the urge to smash that beast and the need to jump into the water to save his mate.  But as soon as he took the first few steps towards the shoreline, he was pulled back by a firm hand.

“You’ll sink, Arthur!”, Lancelot shouted at him. And it took him a moment, to even understand, what he was saying, because his mate, his, his Merlin! He needed to be with his Merlin! Needed to save, to protect! His mate was in danger! Why was he not with him?!

“Arthur, stop it!”, Gwaine screamed at him and then, when he did not react at all, a heavy leather glove hit his cheek. Luckily with the not armour-plated side, but he could not care less at the moment. His mate was danger, and he, he...

“You’ll die when you just jump in there, Arthur!”, Lancelot tried again. “He’ll be fine! Hell manage!”

“Of course he will! Merlin’s a strong one!”, Gwaine agreed.

“C’mon! We need to keep that thing away from the water!”

“Before it actually eats him!”

That seemed to do it for Arthur, because he looked away from the shore, just started at his both knights. Merlin! Eaten! He had to prevent that! With all his might! Needed to keep that serpent away from him! In Check! Because he had to keep his mate safe! Had to keep it away from Merlin!

“That’s the spirit!”, Lancelot called out, as he saw the chance in the prince’s demeanour, the  anger coming back, overpowering the despair.

“Get it!” Arthur exclaimed and six armoured knights attacked the serpent as one.

He could not breathe. Not only had the air been pushed out of his lungs by the sudden hit, but now he could not even breathe in, because there was no air around him. He was under water, something pulling him down. Away from the shimmering light, from what had to be the surface. From his alpha. From Arthur. Arthur! He could not give up! Could not die here! Because of him! Because he could not leave Arthur!

He could not breathe. His lungs started to burn and his limbs felt heavy. He could barely move, was rather floating, than swimming under water, pulled towards the darkness. The cold. His whole body felt heavy. Giving up seemed so easy to him. So comforting. Relieving. But... He could not. He had a destiny. He had Arthur! He could not die here! Not now!

In the deafening silence of the ocean, he suddenly heard a chuckle, light as a chiming bell. And tried to focus his attention on it. Because it was so silent, his ears hurt. His whole body hurt! But there was this sound. Again.

And then, there was a light, a faint, silver shimmer in the water before him, in the darkness. A silhouette. Only fleeting, nothing he could grasp, yet it seemed warm, familiar.

<Oh, see what you have brought upon yourself...>, he suddenly heard a voice. No, he did not actually hear it, since it did not make a sound, yet the voice was so familiar. Amused. Playful.

He tried to open his mouth, voice the name, but only a few bubbles of air escaped him. Making him shut it immediately, because he had realised his mistake. The loss of precious air.

<You could have let go of that destiny of yours so many times, yet you are here, still clinging to it. To him, unwilling to let go, even now... You will not come, if I stretch out my hand to take you?>

He shook his head, yearning for air. Desperately, but he could not. He could not take her offer. Never. Could not go with her! Because of Arthur! Because he needed him! They both needed one another!

<I guessed so. Yet, you’ll need my help. Again...>

Merlin nodded. He needed help. He could not move. He could feel his fingers tickling, but not with magic.

<I guessed so. You see? All the waters in the world are somehow connected. So I could watch you, and well... I’ll give back to you, what you have once entrusted me with...>

He nodded again. Feeling the tingling take over his body. He felt dizzy. But at least the aching slowly faded.

<Here, Emrys, take it. Use it to save what’s yours... And... Live. I want you two to live...>, the not-quite voice echoed through the water.

And all of a sudden his prickling hand tightened around something. Around a still vaguely familiar handle. And then, he was raising. Legs moving on their own, bringing him close to the surface, away from the silhouette. From a fainting once dear acquaintance. From the spirit that used to watch over the sacred waters of the lake of Avalon.

Finally, finally, his head emerged from the water and his lungs drew air. So desperately, he felt like fainting just from the sensation. But he could not allow himself, to. This was not over. This was... He had to reach Arthur! Had to pass it to him! With all the willpower his weakened body could muster, he forced himself back to the island, to where his feet could reach ground, still panting and coughing heavily. Slowly changing from swimming to walking, to leaning on the gift, he had received. That had been returned to him.

“Arthur!”, he exclaimed as loud, as his burning lungs allowed. And instantly the prince turned towards the shore, towards him, saw him standing there, drenched and dripping, but alive and breathing.

“Merlin!”, the alpha screamed in relief. And this whole gesture would make his heart pound, if not for the giant serpent, trying to attack his prince, right at this second.

“Arthur, move!”, he ordered, voice breaking. He was hoarse.

But the blonde understood, dodged the attack and ran closer. Eyes on the enemy now.

“Here, catch!”, the sorcerer exclaimed, now standing on his own two feet, fully on dry sand. And raised the hand that was holding the handle of the sword given to him.

Arthur looked at him, now only a few metres away from him and dropped his sword, holding our his hand for the one Merlin was throwing towards him. His magic tingling in his fingers,  made sure, it would safely find its way into Arthur’s hand. It belonged to him, in the first place.

The prince caught it. The sword forged in dragon breath, and felt, how light it was in his hand. How his fingers matched the handle perfectly. How he could wield it without any resistance. And Merlin watched him with a smile. Saw the sudden confidence in his posture, before he sprinted towards the beast with the willpower of a future king.

And then the world around Merlin suddenly became blurry. Fainted out. And he felt very, very tired. For just a second, he allowed himself to close his eyes. Because things were fine now. Had to be. His mate had to be fine.

The sword, Excalibur, as Arthur would later learn, had cut through the beast like a warm knife through butter. Had beheaded it with just one well aimed strike. But the prince had not cared much, had dropped the sword the second he had allowed himself to turn and glimpse at his omega, had seen him passed out on the sand and had rushed towards him. Had gently taken him up into his arms and carried him into the village. His knights had followed silently. Clearly worried about their friend, but insecure, what to do.

They had demanded privacy, locked themselves into the big house and had gotten out of their armour. Lancelot had carefully undressed Arthur, who had been reluctant to let go of his omega. Even now, only in his tunic an breeches, holding him carefully, bedding him on his lap.

They all sat there in silence, as the prince stroked through his servant’s hair, after he had gotten him out of the drenched clothes, had wrapped him up in both their blankets. Arthur carefully felt the temperature of his forehead and was relieved to notice, he did not have a fever.

Merlin was breathing quietly. Long, even breaths, like he was sleeping. Which he probably was.

“Can I... Feel for his pulse, Arthur?”, Lancelot, now sitting next to him, by Merlin’s head, broke the silence.

Arthur nodded. Not moving away by an inch, but allowing him to carefully touch Merlin’s wrist, to feel for his pulse point. Count.

“He seems fine. As far as I can tell. Probably just exhausted from... From all this...”, the knight offered, visibly relieved himself.

“I see....”, Arthur mumbled. Smiled at Merlin’s peaceful face. And caressed his cheek. Because he did not care. He was just so glad, Merlin was back, when he had been certain, for a brief moment, that he had lost him. That he had drowned. That he would never come back again. So he allowed himself this. The closeness. The display of affection, of gentleness.

“So....”, Leon finally dared to interrupt the silence. They all sat on the floor, in a circle, just Arthur sat half on Merlin’s mattress, because most of his omega’s body was resting on it.

“Leon, please!”, Gwaine hissed in a very un-Gwaine-like fashion. He was sitting on Arthur’s and Merlin’s other side.

“We need to talk about it...”, the head of the knights replied. Sounding very tired. Which he probably was. The battle had been exhausting. The progress minimal, before Merlin had emerged with the sword.

“Not now. We can do it, when he’s awake”, Lancelot sided with Gwaine.

“But...”, Leon began again, gesticulating at the still unconscious sorcerer opposite of him.

“Merlin knows magic”, Arthur stated matter-of-factly. Without looking up from his omega’s face.

“Well, that much was obvious...”, Elyan mumbled, loud enough for everyone to hear.

“He is a sorcerer...”, Percival added in a quiet voice from his place between Leon and Gwaine.

“Of course he is. Is the only logical reason why we’re all still alive...”, his much shorter friend sighed. “He’s saved our asses about a hundred times, probably...”, he added.

“Well, you could put it that way...”, Arthur shrugged  then stilled, because he did not want to disturb Merlin’s rest with any harsh movements. Which was ridiculous, considering the treatment he had gotten from the moment he had been lifted up in the alpha’s arms. But the idea had to count.

“Can’t we just have that discussion tomorrow? Or whenever Merlin’s awake? Seems unfair to discuss his secrets, while he’s out”, Lancelot asked into the round. Looking at all their faces intensely.

“I... Yes... Seems alright...”, Leon mumbled and looked down. Harrumphed.

“Lance, let’s fetch some dinner, shall we?”, Gwaine suggested. Nodding his head towards the exit, while looking at the sun-tanned knight.

“Sure. Could you sort out the armour, in the meantime?”, Lancelot agreed, looking at the other three knights.

“Of course!”, Percival replied, standing up immediately.

“I’ll take care of the fireplace?”, Elyan suggested, while the two dark-haired knights left the house.

Arthur remained where he was, not paying attention to the others. He was just looking at his brave, reckless omega. His sorcerer, who had saved them all once again.

“So?”, asked Gwaine, leaning against the back of one of the smaller huts. They were alone now. The villagers they could spot were pretty busy with doing all kinds of things that involved the corpse of the serpent and did not pay them any mind.

“I hate conversations starting with ‘so?’, ya know?”, Lancelot huffed, but leaned at the wall beside him, crossing his arms.

“You weren’t surprised. Just ran to protect him, without hesitation...”

“As did you...”

“Hmm...”

“How long have you known?”, the bonded alpha wanted to know, expecting the same question back.

“There was this one quest I went with them, retrieving the fisher king’s trident... Well, there was this dwarf or whatever on that bridge and he called out my strength, Arthur’s courage, and, well, Merlin’s magic. Things just added up. I mean, what are the odds, he’s always just that lucky and knows so many things?”, Gwaine started explaining, just shrugging. “Well, you’ve been gone then and I was actually not really on good terms with the king and stuff... Long story short, had been quite obvious...”

“I see... Smarter than you look...”, Lancelot teased.

“Hmpf... You?”

“Upon our first meeting. He enchanted my blade, so I could kill the griffin, before it could kill our prince. Was actually the cause for all this. Why I became a knight...”, he admitted and just shrugged, because... Well, what else was there to do?

“So you knew before me? And you never let anything on! You’re good...”, Gwaine admitted with an appreciative nod.

“Never suspected, you’d know, either...”

“I know all the gossip, but I do know, which secrets to keep. Especially since I liked that boy from the beginning... He’s kicking our princess’ ass all the time, though he’s just a servant. That boy’s got guts!”, he smirked fondly.

“I appreciate that, Gwaine... So? Get our men some dinner, before Leon’s gonna ask more questions?”

“Good idea... So, we’re good?”

“We’re on his side, aren’t we?”

“Don’t think, there actually is a side... But if anyone tries to harm our cute little mascot, I’ll definitely kick their ass!”, Gwaine announced. Both nodded in agreement.

Morgana looked at her maidservant in disbelief.

“Come again?”, she repeated for the third time now.

“The king wants to see you after dinner. He has something to announce...”, Gwen repeated for the third time, just as well.

“I can’t believe, he summoned me...”, the witch shook her head, because yes, she heard correctly. But could not believe it. Uther had last summoned her... Two years ago, probably. When she had had her coming-of-age and he had given her a small present and a reminder to remain virtuous and chaste, under any circumstances. So... Why would the king suddenly summon her?

“He did, Milady...”, Gwen just said. Because, what could she say? George had fetched her about half an hour ago and told her to tell her lady. So she had done, as instructed.

“Why? I didn’t even do anything, this time!”, the Lady complained again.

“I have absolutely no idea...”, the maidservant shrugged.

It was still bright outside, because it was the end of July, though it was already late, when Merlin opened his eyes. The smell of food – several different kinds of food – tingled his nose, together with the scent of alpha. Of his alpha, close. A reassuring feeling. Yet it had pulled him out of this comfortable numbness surrounding him, had drawn him back into reality. Made him notice the warmth around him, the hand caressing his cheek. He blinked. Then again. Tried to move his hands to wipe the sleep from his eyes, but noticed, he could not. He could not move his arms, they had been properly tucked away, so he just made a noise expressing his discomfort. Or no, maybe rather his wonder about where he was and why.

“Hey, sunshine. Awake again?”, Arthur asked, smiling down, at his face and Merlin blinked again, because his prince was smiling brighter than the sun ever could.

“The serpent?”, was the first thing that came to his mind, after seeing his alpha, obviously safe. Realising, his head was lying in his lap.

“Beheaded. That sword you gave me really saved us. How are you? Does anything hurt? Couldn’t see any bruises, but...”, the blonde wanted to know, worry in his eyes.

“No. No, I’m fine. Just... A little headache... Can I get up?”, the sorcerer mumbled, unable to move, wrapped up in blankets.

“Of c- oh, yes, wait”, Arthur said, as he noticed and tried to loosen the fabric. “You should drink. Maybe that helps the headache?”, he asked meanwhile.

Steps came closer and one of the knights, Lancelot, as Merlin noticed, stepped in front of them with a goblet and a pitcher and placed it in front of them.

“Great, you’re up again”, the bonded alpha smiled and retreated instinctively. Gave them space.

“Thanks. Yes, might help...”, the servant mumbled, now more successful with his task of sitting up.  Still wrapped in blankets, he noticed, his chest was bare, while Arthur handed him the goblet with water. But he did not pay it any drank instead.

“Drink. And eat. You should eat, too. Must have been exhausting, all this...”, Arthur said, wiggling his fingers, like he nowadays used to, to empathize the use of magic.

“Yeah... Maybe...”, Merlin sighed, and as if on command, his stomach grumbled audibly.

This time it was Gwaine, approaching them with a tray full of food. Several different dishes featuring fish and seafood – now the selkie could fish again – bread and vegetables. He placed it next to the pitcher, winked at the sorcerer and retreated. Sat back, on his place, next to Percival.

All the knights were sitting in a half-circle opposite them, minding their own business. In a very suspicious way. Even more suspicious, than usually, when they ignored whatever there was, to ignore. This time, Leon could not stop, sending cautious looks over, looking away whenever he thought, he might got caught.

“So.... Err... Guess you all saw?”, Merlin mumbled, while Arthur took a cooked carrot and brought it to his mouth. The sorcerer suppressed the urge to roll his eyes at that and just opened his mouth, gave in to his fate and let Arthur feed him. He looked at the nodding knights, chewing.

“Was hard, not to. Flying serpent’s aren’t that subtle...”, Gwaine shrugged.

“Obviously...”, Lancelot nodded.

“They aren’t gonna harm you in any way. You’re safe”, Arthur assured, feeding Merlin a piece of bread now. Not sure, if he should pass him some fish, because he remembered, Merlin had not been into fish the last few months.

“Hmm...”, was the reply, because his mouth was full. Which probably meant something close to ‘I see’.

“Of course, he’s safe with us!”, Elyan said. He had not said a lot during the day, so the others were almost surprised to hear him speak now. “We trust him. My sis trusts him. So, well... He knows magic, doesn’t change a thing, does it?”

“Doesn’t. Merlin’s a good one. You saved us with that trick of yours, didn’t you?”, Percival agreed.

“You… Haven’t done anything to…? Never mind…”, Leon mumbled, looking at his prince and Merlin, unsure, how to phrase it. If he even wanted to phrase a thing. He was chewing his lip nervously.

“What do you wish to imply, Sir Leon?”, Arthur asked, rising an eyebrow.

“Nah, he wouldn’t. What would he have from it?”, Elyan replied, looking at Leon.

“Hm…”

“You really think, Merlin would…?”, Percival asked.

“Okay, that one’s good. But seriously, Leon, why should Merlin? What would he have from what you want to imply?”, Gwaine shook his head.

“Okay, I’m missing out on something. What have I done?”, Merlin wanted to know, looking at the knights with a confused look. His head hurt and he did not feel like he could follow the conversation.

“You haven’t cast a spell to make Arthur like you, did you?”, Lancelot translated with a sigh.

”Why would I?”, the sorcerer replied, confused, because that was… Well, so very unlikely. Really, why would he? How would he? Given their current situation, it would be best for both of them, if things were not the way they were! He would pay to just have whatever that was between them, to stop, without pain. Because it was unwise, straight out stupid!  He would not put this upon himself! Because no matter how things turned out, he would be the one suffering!

“Yes, why would he?”, Arthur agreed, looking at Leon, just as confused as his omega.

“Dunno. Just saying… I mean, sorcery is evil. It’s a crime and surely it can be used for very vicious actions?”, the head of the knights tried, visibly not feeling well in his position.

“It can. Can do may evil things, but why would I… No, Leon, I wouldn’t use a spell on him!”, Merlin sighed, pointing at his prince. “I mean, imagine how much easier my life would be if I did. He would wake up on time, stop complaining about how useless I am, he wouldn’t make me eat all these things and would listen when I say something and not straight away ignore me!”

“That’s a good point… Arthur’s obviously doing none of this…”

“Insufferable as ever…”, Lancelot agreed with a grin.

“A true princess…”, Gwaine nodded.

“Yes, I see. It’s very unlikely, but, what IF?”, Leon tried again. He seemed to be a little overwhelmed by this big revelation, seemed to question it all. Well, not unlikely, because he was the only one brought up in Camelot, having been raised with Uther’s fear and hatred for magic. The others had never been that deep inside the king’s head. Had never ridden with him in battle against sorcery…

“So, what if Merlin was using a spell on Arthur… What would it do?”, Lancelot asked.

“What if the spell would make Arthur a brave man?”, Gwaine suggested, because he knew, the prince had courage.

“What if Merlin was influencing Arthur, to become a better version of himself?”, Percival suggested, catching on on what the two tried.

“Merlin used his magic to save our prince and probably us, so far… I guess?”, Elyan stated.

“Well, yes. He did. And I’m very certain, he did not use any spell on me! I have been under the influence of several spells so far and this is… This is definitely not some spell…”,  Arthur assured all of his knights, looking around. “Do you really think, he’d ensorcle me?”, he added, facing Leon.

“Well, no. yes. I mean, I don’t know… Merlin’s a good guy, just… Isn’t magic the source of evil?”, Leon mumble, suddenly looking very insecure.

“The evil thing is not magic, it’s the person using it. Magic can corrupt, like any power can. But by itself, it is neither good, nor evil…”, Merlin explained, looking at him with a kind smile. He understood. Had had a similar conversation not long ago. Knew the feeling of core beliefs being threatened.

“Sounds logic to me. I’ve seen many people getting corrupted by power…”, Gwaine spat out, mouth twisting.

“You’ve a good heart. You wouldn’t harm our prince, would you?”, Percival asked, gently placing his hand on Gwaine’s shoulder, as he looked at Merlin. Knowing what the other man had seen in his life.

“Wouldn’t. If I had planned to, I would have killed that prat on our first meeting…”, the sorcerer admitted.

“Hey, I heard that!”, Arthur complained, shooting him a glare. But it was lacking the bite.

“You’re sitting next to me, I expected you to hear, clodpole!”, Merlin replied, barely restraining himself from sticking out his tongue.

“You can’t talk to me like that! I’m your prince!”

“Then behave like one, prat!”

“Don’t call me this!”, the blonde hissed pointing at the knights, watching them.

“Don’t pretend like they don’t already know. Maybe I really should use a spell to turn you into a nice guy every now and then?”

“You wouldn’t like it!”, Arthur accused. “Wouldn’t be able to stand nice Arthur for more than ten minutes!”

“I give it two hours at least, before I’d be too annoyed…”, the sorcerer shook his head with a smile.

“So you do admit, you don’t want me all nice and obedient?”

“…”, Merlin did not answer this. He just looked at him with a half-smile. And Arthur needed a moment to read that look. But when he caught on, what his servant might wanted to imply, he could barely stop himself from blushing. Because… Well, there was still this promise standing between them. The one Arthur had made, to encourage him.

“Okay, I am pretty sure, we don’t wanna know!”, Lancelot called out, breaking the moment between them.

“Why? I really would like to know!”, Gwaine talked back. “Please, don’t mind us, go on.”

“Gwaine…”, Percival scolded him.

“What? I’m curious!”

“Don’t be! That’s rude!”, Elyan reminded his friend.

“But, but…”

“Stop it, Gwaine!”, Leon finally interfered.

And with this, somehow the conversation about Merlin’s magic was over. About it all. They changed to lighter topics. And Arthur resumed to making sure, his omega was eating properly. Which worked out better, that he had thought, since Merlin did not seem opposed to the dishes featuring fish, this time. Instead, he hungrily shoved it all down, like it was his long missed favourite food.

“What? I’m eating!”, he complained, as Arthur was just staring at him.

“No, yes. I mean, I’m just surprised…”, Arthur clarified. “You haven’t eaten fish in months…”

“Hm? Oh, yes. Dunno. Didn’t like the smell. But this one’s fine. Maybe because it’s fresh from the sea?”, the sorcerer thought.

“It’s been caught two hour ago or so. The selkie are back in the water and caught this feast for us!”, Lancelot explained, having overheard parts of their conversation. He and Gwaine had witnessed this, as they had stepped out earlier. Had talked to a very grateful Eaun about dinner.

“I see…”, Merlin munched, mouth still full. He was glad, they had helped them. That the serpent was slayed and the people could return to their regular life.

“It’s really good…”, Arthur noted, nibbling on the fried fish in his hands. He could focus on his own food, now that Merlin was eating without his supervision.

“Great!”, Percival agreed, happily.

“There you are, Morgana…”, Uther greeted his illegitimate daughter with a nod. He was sitting on his desk, not the throne, a quite informal setting.

“Yes, what do you need from me, my king?”, she asked, trying to hide the sarcasm dripping from her words, because, to her, Uther was neither her king, nor her father, though he usually treated her well, sometimes even better than he treated Arthur.

“I have been thinking…”, Uther announced and she had to hold back, not to mention, that this was a rare occurrence.

“Yes?”

“You are an omega, my child. And you have not found a mate, yet…”

“Yes?” She did not like, where this was leading. They had last talked about her omega status the day she came of age, two years ago, which had not been a big celebration, since she was just the king’s ward, but a small dinner with the men she usually did not consider family. Uther had repeated the speech he had held, when she first presented as an omega, that she should live a modest life, until her alpha would be decided and that she should never engage in any kind of relationship before. Stay pure, so to say. Quite a different talk to the one, Arthur had received, that included illegitimate children and blowing off steam and ‘alphas will be alphas’.

“I want you to ensure our family line to be a strong one, my dear…”

“I will not just marry some alpha, you hand me off to for power or wealth!”, she told him. Because this sounded a lot like this kind of conversation. And she did not like it. Before, Uther had refrained for trying things like these.

“Don’t worry, my child. I would not let you marry some alpha you have never seen. I have a brilliant idea about that. This will assure the standing of Camelot in Albion for decades!”

She really had the feeling, she would not like whatever was coming. Not that she actually cared for the fate of Camelot. She never had, which was the reason, why she had refused her half sister’s offer to join forces to overthrow Uther to begin with. She had just refused, because she had never liked the idea of fighting her dearest friends Merlin and Gwen – and, well, Arthur was also fine, she thought – so she could not care less, what anyone else wanted for Camelot. She wanted her friends to be save, and stay with them. Though it meant living under Uther’s rule. Which she hated. But she had faith in Merlin and when Merlin saw Arthur as a good king, she would live with it. Could hardly get any worse…

“So? What are you planning?”, she asked, suppressing a sigh and an eye roll.

“You, my dear child, will be a queen…”, Uther announced and her face went pale, as she listened to him elaborate. She hardly grasped, what he told her, unable to believe that he would actually do this!

The next day, they packed their things and left, right after breakfast. The thankful selkie gave them what they could spare, now the sea was safe again and they would not starve any more. Colle helped them set over with their things and readied their horses, together with Dean, who was shyly smiling at Merlin, every time, he caught a glimpse.

When they were ready, to ride off, Merlin asked his alpha to hold, just for a second, got off the horse again and walked towards the boy. Smiled at him.

“Tell me. What do you wish to say?”, he wanted to know and held out his hand.

Dean took it and placed in on his chest. Took a deep breath. And Merlin felt, what he felt. The boy was grateful. Amazed. Actually almost awestruck at the view of the heroic knights and the sorcerer. He did not know, how to thank them for saving his people.

Merlin smiled and nodded.

“You are welcome, Dean...”

 Arthur stepped next to him, looking at Merlin curiously. And the boy’s gaze fell on the prince’s sword. On Excalibur and his eyes went wide. He smiled even brighter.

“You’re a good boy, I think. But I actually need my manservant back, you see?”, the blonde told him and placed his hand on Merlin’s shoulder. A spark tickled his fingers and for a brief second he was able to feel the shadow of feelings that were not his. And he looked at his omega in wonder, before he understood. Eyes widening.

And then the brief moment was over and his feelings all his. He looked at the boy again.

“You want to fight, right? You were protecting the old man?”

The boy nodded, stepping away from Merlin’s touch, looking down, a bit embarrassed.

“He’s training with me, when I’m visiting!”, Colle called him out. “He’s not too bad, just mute...”

“I see. When you’re a little older, maybe, you could try your luck as a knight?”

“You sure? Your knights all seemed to be human alphas... And many of them are noblemen, aren’t they?”, Colle shared her observation.

“That’s true... But no one would mind another squire, and when I’m king, I’ll make sure, things like that are no longer mandatory”, Arthur told, in a whim. Shrugged. “Come, Merlin!”, he ordered, turning around, walking off.

The three of them looked after him for a moment, then Merlin remembered, that he had been called, and turned, to follow.

He bid both selkie farewell and got back, onto his horse. Rode with the knights, back towards Camelot.

“How’d you know, he wanted to become a knight?”, Merlin asked, a while into the journey. They were riding next to each other, behind Leon and Elyan.

“The boy? Good question. When I touched your shoulder, I somehow just felt it...”, the prince shrugged.

“I see... So I didn’t just imagine it. You really were able to sense his feelings?”

“Guess so... Somehow I just knew he was admiring us. Not just being grateful. And I saw the sword in the old man’s house. Had to be the boy’s...”

“You can actually be quite observant, if you really want to...”

“Are you implying, I’m otherwise dull?”

“Not just implying...”, the servant grinned.

“You’re insufferable! Why am I even putting up with you?!”, Arthur complained loudly.

“Because you’d hardly find a servant, willing to put up with you?”, was the cheeky reply.

“Mer~lin!”, the prince growled, voice low, sending a shiver down his spine.

“Yes?”, the cheeky servant replied, pretending he did not just react to his alpha.

“You really should spend some more time in the stocks, when we get back to the citadel..”, Arthur sighed, shaking his head, yet he was well aware, this was an empty threat.

“You’d miss me....”, Merlin grinned.

“You’d deserve it....”

Chapter Text

Morgana stared out of the window. It was late at night, once again. She had been awake every night so far, staring. Waiting for the figure to sneak out of the citadel. And this night, it did. Like it had, all the nights before.

And a while later, it returned this time, not alone. A second figure entered the castle, holding the first one’s hand. Suspicious. Very suspicious.

She did not know, what she should thing about this. Actually did not know, what to think at all, because... Well, she had spent the last two evenings shouting, screaming and complaining. Doubting the king’s sanity, which had lead to her being currently unable to leave her chambers. She was under arrest. After she had thrown a goblet of wine at her father the evening before.

Had since then shouted and complained at Gwen, who had beard with it, without flinching back even once. Not even as the witch had burnt down ten candles at once in her anger.

Well, now she had become quiet. Had not spoken to anyone in hours. Had just sat there, staring into nothing. Had tried to get some sleep and then woken up at the usual hour. Witnessed the figure doing what it did again. And hated everything and everyone.

Why was Merlin not here? Why was Arthur out? He surely had to had a word in this, too! They both would not have let this happen! This, this madness! The king was mad! Completely insane! Had finally snapped! They should not have let him unsupervised.

She stared at the crescent moon, not completely full anymore. And wished her idiot brother and that goddamn sorcerer to return fast. Someone had to call off this madness!

Merlin was lying in Arthur’s arms. Still half asleep, but something in the back of his mind was nagging him. Slowly waking him up. Though he felt safe in the arms of his alpha, something was off. Something was not all right.

He felt his mind drifting back to consciousness. Was completely awake now, Arthur close, his slight snores in his ears. Again they had gone to sleep in their own bedrolls but drifted close within minutes. Until they had been entangled. Merlin ending up in his prince’s arms. Ignoring the armour, just enjoying the proximity.

<Emrys!>, a voice called out. Just quietly, almost not audible. But Merlin was on guard, focussed on the voice now, hearing it echo louder in his mind.

<Emrys!>, it called again. Was vaguely familiar. A druid’s voice, that much was clear, since by now he only knew of druids being able to speak without words.

<Emrys, can you hear me?>, the voice asked once again. And suddenly rang a bell. His eyes widened, in surprise.

<Yes? I can hear!>, he tried to reply in his mind. He was not too familiar with that technique. And actually did not really use it at all... What for?

<Thank the gods! Finally!>, he heard the voice sigh in his mind.

<Mordred, is that you?>, he asked, concentrating on the voice in his head.

<Yes, yes, right! It’s me! You need to listen to me Emrys! You’re all in great danger!>, the voice, Mordred, tried to warn him.

<What’s going on? Where are you?>

<Somewhere safe. You need to hurry back to Camelot! Something’s happened! I probably fucked things up!>

<What?!>, Merlin exclaimed inwardly, sitting up, Arthur’s arms still around him. He looked around, tried to grasp anything. But there was only the crackling of the fire and an armoured silhouette sitting close. <What’s up, Mordred?>

<It’s Morgause. I kinda got involved with her and Nimueh and, well, doesn’t matter, you need to get back! They are going to take matters in their own hands!>, Mordred warned him, apparently mortified by what had happened. Whatever that was.

<Okay, okay. So the witches are planning something?>

<They have the king. There’s this talisman, it has been enchanted. They are planning to force magic back! They’ll use her!>, a faint Mordred shouted in Merlin’s head. Panicked. Which only could mean one thing.

<What will they do to Morgana?>, he asked, because that was the only thing reasonable. Because Mordred, as much as Merlin disliked to trust him completely, loved Morgana dearly. He would never hurt her or want her hurt!

<I don’t know. But they said, they’ll make good use of the fact, that she’s an omega! Emrys! Don’t allow them to breed her!>,  Mordred’s voice urged him. Obviously panicked.

<Fuck! Never! But we can’t ride through the night! I’ll urge them! Make sure, the horses won’t tire or something. We’ll help her!>, the omega promised. Because this would be the worst that could happen to an omega, to a proud omega such as Morgana! To be forced to breed, to be claimed against her will! He could feel his instincts make him panic at the mere thought.

<Please! Do!>

<Will you be there? Can you help?>

<Not at all. Morgause caught on, that I was trying to betray her. Can’t leave at the moment, but I’ll figure things out. Somehow. Please, help Morgana! The people in the citadel!>, Mordred begged him. And then the voice in his head became silent. Did not react anymore. But Merlin’s heart was pounding. He was wide awake. Panicked. Not even his alpha’s proximity could calm him right now. So he gently entangled from him and stood up. Looked around. Trying to calm himself.

“Awake?”, Lancelot’s quiet voice made him flinch, before he noticed, his friend was the one on watch right now.

“Yes. Something like that...”, he sighed, forced himself to calm down and approached the knight. Sat at the fire, as well. Breathed.

“Nightmare?”, his friend guessed.

“Not quite... Have you met Mordred?”, he asked.

“Mordred? Gwaine has mentioned him. I think. Was a knight for only few months, before he accidentally courted Morgana?”, Lancelot summed up his knowledge.

“Has Gwaine mentioned, magic had been involved in his sudden departure?”

“Not as such...”

“Mordred’s a druid. Morgana has saved his life, long before you arrived. Had hidden him and had finally helped him, together with Arthur, to escape the castle. Next time we met him, he was all grown up, but undoubtedly him. Not sure if Arthur’s aware, but Morgana and I recognised him instantly. Ah, yes, that’s actually all irrelevant. He knows magic and he’s with the enemy right now. But he likes Morgana, so he just contacted me!”, Merlin explained, trying to stay quiet, to not wake the others.

“Okay?”, the knight asked, carefully looking around.

“No, not here. In my mind. Some druids can do that strange, messed up thought-speech stuff. Very irritating. Anyways, he warned me!”, the sorcerer whisper-shouted.

“What happened?”, Arthur asked, sitting up in one very smooth movement that implied, that he had not just woken up.

“Oh, err, you’re up?”, Merlin asked, while he stood and walked over, sat next to his omega, so their shoulders touched.

“Was cold, suddenly...”, the prince mumbled. “So? Mordred spoke in your head?”

“Well, yes. You know, he’s a druid!”

“Yes, but didn’t expect him being that boy. I mean... He was so small and now...”

“Yes, yes. Long story. Magic involved. Back to topic?”, the sorcerer cut him off.

“Yes, please, go on.”

“Mordred’s with Morgause. She and Nimueh are planning something involving Uther and Morgana. They want to make use of her omega status...”, he summed up, what he had learnt.

“Fuck!”, Arthur made.

“Doesn’t sound good... But would explain it...”, Lancelot noted.

“Explain what?”, sorcerer and prince wanted to know.

“Gwen’s being anxious since yesterday evening. I can feel it through our bond. Something is worrying her...”

“Not good...”

“What are they planning?”, Merlin asked. Thought. “Fuck! No, they wouldn’t!”, he suddenly realised.

“What? Merlin, spit it out! What’s going on in you head?”, Arthur wanted to know.

“Mordred said, they got Uther under control. And would use Morgana. Do you think, they would make him marry her?”, the sorcerer whispered in fear.

“He’s her father!”

“I know! But he wouldn’t mind marrying your half sister to you! You had that talk with him! Who stops the witches from marrying Morgana to him?”

“What? What would they have from that? Why Morgana?”

“Because... Fuck, there is a reason, why they would want her as queen of Camelot, okay? Let’s just put it that way!”, Merlin tried to explain, without giving away too much. But he was panicking now. His omega feared for his dear friend. A forced mating was cruel!

“What reason? Merlin, why?! Explain!”, Arthur suddenly shouted. Because he was scared. He did not want his sister to get forced to marry and he knew, what she thought of her father, and fuck, Uther was her father! How could anyone try to marry her to him? And what was Merlin hiding? Because... He knew something. He definitely knew! What was going on?! He hated to not know what was going on.

“There’s that prophecy. Of brining magic back to Camelot. I think, I told you. And, well... There are different interpretations of this. Morgana’s sister knows magic. Chances are, she’s got something, too. So her children could be magic. You see? They would use her to, to...”, Merlin tried to explain. He could not tell his friend’s secret. But he could hint. Try to argue.

“Fuck! I see, that might... I see the point. But... Uther’s our father, her father! He can’t impregnate her!”

“Who’s pregnant?”, asked a sleepy and very confused voice. Gwaine blinked awake. More or less. “Hm?”, he asked.

“Long story... Guess, we’ll ride at sunrise?”, Arthur sighed. Now he was wide awake. Worried.

“I’ll try to get us home faster!”, Merlin volunteered. He would need to remember, but he was sure, he had read a spell that would make sure, the horses would not tire. After, they would be exhausted for a week, but they would manage. He hoped. They could probably do it, arrive at sunrise the day after the one that was about to start in a few more hours. They would work something out. Somehow. They would help Morgana. They had to!

At sunrise they all were awake, had a short briefing and then rode off, having breakfast on horseback. Suddenly they all were in a hurry, Elyan and Lancelot worried about Gwen, Leon, Gwaine and Percival worried about the castle and the people in general and Arthur and Merlin worried about Morgana.

The sorcerer had actually remembered the spell and made sure, the horses would ride the whole day and night. They had all agreed, that they would not rest on the way, just an hour before arriving at the citadel. To gather their strength. Because they had no idea, what was awaiting them.

So they rode undisturbed until sunset, but then, their journey was interrupted all of a sudden, by an unexpected ambush. A group of twelve bandits were surrounding them all if a sudden, forcing the horses to halt..

Instantly the knights drew their swords.

“Give us all your belongings and we spare your lifes!”, the leader of the group announced.

“Get lost, we don’t have the time to deal with you!”, Arthur called out, wielding Excalibur.

“Huh? You’re quite stubborn, knight! Then we’ll take your lifes and your possessions!”

“Argh, fuck it, you’re in the way!”, Merlin decided anxiously. They needed to get back! Morgana was in danger!

“A servant giving orders?!”, one of the bandits laughed. But said servant’s eyes suddenly flared golden, a mumbled spell leaving his lips. And all of a sudden a storm emerged from nowhere, whirling around them. They had to hold on to their horses, but were not blown away. As the bandits were. They had been thrown around, slammed between trees, now all lying in the forest floor, a few metres away from them.

“Okay, that was impressive!”, Elyan called out.

“Can’t deny that...”, Leon admitted, looking at the mess, the sorcerer had caused. Sceptical, but not as uncertain, as before.

“Ride on! We need to hurry!”, Arthur urged them, with a movement of his head and so they just continued their journey. Rode towards the heart of Camelot, the citadel. They were close already, vaguely familiar with the hunting grounds. They would be there, soon!

They rode through the night and only a few kilometres away from the castle walls, they rested, so they could ride in, at the first rays of sunlight. Not sure, what would await them. But they had agreed on staying on guard, pretending not to know a thing was going on. In case of an attack, they would be prepared. But if nothing happened, on their arrival, they would play along. Merlin keeping close to Arthur, the others knights making sure to check on Gwen and Gaius and Morgana.

They had no actual strategy, if Arthur was being honest. And he hated it. He needed to know, what was going on inside the castle walls! He needed to plan this. He was a strategist, when it came to fights. And this seemed to be a very unusual fight.

“You’re worried…”, Merlin mumbled, half sitting, half lying next to him. They all leaned on some trees, sleeping. Or as close to sleeping, as they would come.

“Of course, I am…”, the prince replied, stroking his thumb over his omega’s hand, he was holding. It was dark, so no one would see. And if the knights saw, so what? He was allowed to indulge, every now and then.

“You need to rest, Arthur…”

“Can’t. They are in danger and I have no idea, what’s going on in there… Maybe they have all been slaughtered? Or thrown into the dungeon?”, he explained his worries. It felt good, to speak out loud, what was going on in his head, what he usually did not allow himself to phrase, because, well, he was the prince. He could not doubt, could not show any weakness. He needed to be strong, for his knights, his people. But Merlin… Well, in the safety of his chambers, he could always be honest, so could he now, in his presence. Because Merlin knew him. So very well. And he was cruelly honest,

“I don’t think so. Please, rest, Arthur. You haven’t slept the whole day, we need you rested…”, the sorcerer whispered, turned towards him and placed his hand on his cheek.

“There’s so much on my mind…”, the blonde admitted with a sigh. Leaned in to the touch.

“We’re all worried… It’s fine, Arthur…”, Merlin mumbled soothingly. Smiled.

“Kiss me?”

“Kiss it better?”, he asked, but leaned in. Touched his prince's lips with his. So very gently. Because it was dark. Because the knights were asleep. Because he missed his lips so badly.

Arthur sighed in relief, as their lips touched. Closed his eyes. Just enjoyed his omega’s warmth, his scent, his proximity. Just this much, he allowed himself. Just this. Everything else had to wait. They had things to do, a castle to safe.

And so, with the security of his Merlin being close, his mind actually drifted off, into sleep. At least for a bit. He allowed himself to rest.

High on horse, leading the group, servant and knights following, Arthur rode into the citadel. Merlin had prepared him, to look as majestic as plausibly possible, considering their journey. Trumpets announced his return, as soon as they had been spotted by the guards.

As they rode through the gate, people were already gathering, looking at them in awe. Mostly commoners, but soon guards and knights joined them, observing. So far everything seemed normal. Just the way it usually was. No hints of a trap, of danger. Which was very suspicious.

“My son, you have returned!”, Uther called out from his balcony and stepped out, to greet him. Well, even the king looked, as usual.

“My king! Indeed, I have! And I am glad, to announce the journey being successful!”, Arthur called out to him. Following the protocol.

“Have you brought proof of your success?”, the king asked, looking down at him. At them.

“I brought the teeth of the beast!”, the prince announced, grabbing a bag at the side of the horse, to take out two large serpentine fangs. Eaun had insisted, he took those, since the head would have been too big to carry back all the way.

“Oh, that’s good, my son! A big success for Camelot! Go now, get changed at meet me in the throne room, to report back!”, Uther told him, then waved him off and left the balcony.

Arthur nodded and got off his horse. The others dismounted as well. Stable boys came to take the horses to the grooms, servants helped unpack the saddlebags.

“Okay, guys. Change and then rest. You have the day off, after the long journey. I will follow my father’s orders!”, Arthur announced, as agreed before. The knights nodded. Prepared to take off to their quarters, as the prince turned and made his way towards his own chambers, Merlin following suit.

“What do you think?”, Arthur asked, as soon as the door was locked behind them.

“Everything seems as usual…”, the servant mumbled. And started undressing his prince dutifully.

“Hmm… I don’t like it…”

“Me neither…”, he mumbled standing behind him, pressing a kiss onto the blonde’s neck.

“We’ll stay on guard… But will do, as my father says for now… Can you prepare us a bath?”, the alpha sighed. Stretching out his arms, as Merlin took off one piece after another and then proceeded with his – honestly quite smelly – garments. With a wave of his hand, the sorcerer prepared a lukewarm bath, because it was still so very hot.

“Did you notice the scratches on the lock?”, he asked, taking off the last pieces, so his prince was standing there naked.

“I did. But nothing changed in here…”

“I, well because no one could pick the lock. Took care of this as we left…”

“Good. Wouldn’t want anyone in our private rooms… Mine…”, Arthur corrected himself. “Strip”, he then added.

Merlin nodded and followed the order, while Arthur got into the bath and sighed. Allowed himself to relax at least for now. Just a little. He did not know, what was to come, but here, in private, he felt safe. At least for now.

“Want me to clean you, Sire?”, the sorcerer asked, overcome by a sudden feeling of duty. A very rare occasion.

“Do so. And get presentable, too. You’ll definitely come with me…”

“I’ll protect you with my life…”, Merlin mumbled, getting into the tub behind him.

“Don’t do that. Wouldn’t want you to die for me…”, the prince sighed. Enjoyed the hands, scrubbing his back. The endearing scent of omega. Of his omega.

“And I don’t want you to die. So bear with it…”, said omega whispered into his ear, before kissing him there.

“Hmpf…”, Arthur replied, saying nothing else. Enjoying the physical contact they could have, for just this brief time. Soon they would report back to their king. Anxious, what would await them.

“I want to keep you…”, he suddenly mumbled. So quietly, Merlin almost overheard it. Which gave him the option to actually overhear. To ignore it.

“Could you wash me?”, he asked instead. Because he was not sure, what to do. How to act. His omega wanted nothing more than to be kept. But he could not allow that. He could not have that! Arthur was the prince! This thing would be over in a few months anyway! He was expecting his next heat somewhere around the beginning of December, maybe a bit earlier. Then he would take his suppressants and then everything would be over anyway… Or Arthur would be forced to marry another omega, even before that. No, this was impossible! Not like this.

“Okay, hand me the wash cloth?”, the prince asked, turned around towards him, so they were facing each other. And Merlin could see in his eyes, what he himself had been thinking. They had four months at best five, if he was calculating correctly. Months they should not have…

Arthur took the cloth and started cleaning him. Carefully, attentively. While the sorcerer closed his eyes, enjoying the contact.

“Your skin is so very smooth…”, he mumbled, as he rubbed over his chest and lower, circling the cloth over his bellybutton. The hint of an actual belly forming. Due to his hard work. Due to him taking care of his omega. He knew, he should not think that way, but he appreciated every gram of fat on his body. His body in general. He had loved his skinny form dearly, as well, but somehow… This was strangely appealing.

“Hey, that tickles…”, Merlin complained, as he was circling over his stomach, but could not hide a fond smile.

“Let me enjoy this…”, Arthur sighed, kissed his lips. Stroked his belly directly now, cloth sinking down.

“We need to get out… Your father’s waiting and… We don’t know what awaits us…”, the sorcerer mumbled, returning the slight pressure.

“Fine, fine… But as soon as we got this figured out…”

“I know, I didn’t forget!”, he smiled, pinched his prince’s ass cheek playfully.

And then they got ready. Arthur dressed himself, as Merlin did the same. Silently. They both were nervous. Not knowing what would await them. They hoped, their friends were fine. That somebody had checked on Gaius and Gwen and Morgana. That they would be safe.

“You left me waiting!”, the king greeted his son, as they entered the almost empty throne room. Almost empty meaning, Uther was sitting on his throne, the two places of honour to his left and right empty. Morgana was also there, but standing beside the window, between Gwaine and Leon, arms crossed, not looking happy. But neither were the knights. Which was not at all comforting.

In the other corner, by the wall, there stood Gaius, together with another old man, probably also a council member, but neither Merlin, nor Arthur were very good at remembering their names. 

“You wanted me to change, my king, now I am ready to report to you”, Arthur said, bowing to his father. He was wearing one of his usual tunics and breeches, two daggers hidden in his boots, since he could not face his king openly carrying a weapon. Merlin stood behind him, reluctant to seek his usual place by the wall. He did not want to leave his prince’s back unprotected.

“Good. So, report. You killed the sea serpent and the Seal’s Island people are in our debt, is that correct?”, the king asked.

“Indeed. They were very grateful for our help and pledged loyalty to the king of Camelot”, Arthur told him, because Eaun and Odard had. To the future king, but that was a minor detail.

“Good to hear. So, tell me about those people, what did you learn?”

So Arthur told his father, about how those people lived, that they were fishermen, good divers, traded with the locals, did not have much wealth at all, whatever one needed to tell Uther to make sure, he would not be too interested. He forgot to mention, about eighty percent of the population being selkie or that they used magic to defeat the serpent, but those were not interesting details at all.

As he finished his report, just as he usually did, Uther nodded. Thanked him for his service to the kingdom and in return promised him a great compensation, a present for being such a good fighter and loyal prince.

“Thank you, my king, but whatever it might be, I am not able to accept such a generous present!”, Arthur said with a slight bow, feeling that they were getting somewhere.  That something was about to happen.

“You will not deny my offer to you, son. Don’t you dare to. I handpicked the best”, the king told him. “You will take Lady Morgana’s hand and marry her, tomorrow at sunrise. I already had Geoffrey prepare everything for the ceremony!”

“What?!”, Arthur called out, staring at his father. This. This had been unexpected. While his instant reaction was relieve, that Morgana would not marry Uther, he soon panicked, because he definitely did not want to marry his own sister! “No!”

“Do not talk back to your king! I want you to marry her and make sure, she gives birth to your heir as soon as possible! I will not accept a ‘no’ for an answer!”

While prince and king disagreed on the matter, Merlin’s gaze searched Gaius’. Found it and expressed his disbelief.

The court physician just nodded, with a sour look on his face, expressing, that yes, the king was very much serious. Which concerned him. A lot. Was this Morgause’s plan? Having Arthur and Morgana mate?

“I will not marry, leave alone breed, my own sister! You can’t be serious!”, Arthur told his father, plan forgotten, not that they had one to begin with. His alpha was screaming, disagreeing. Not Morgana. Not her! His sister! He could never! Would never! So far all her heats had been more disturbing than appealing to him and, well... No. Just no!

“You will! This is my last word! You two will mate, tomorrow! This evening, if we can rush things!”

“No! I told you, I don’t want to! See, he disagrees as well! You can’t force this on us!”, Morgana finally said, taking a step forward, away from her, well, guards, Arthur supposed. Gwaine and Leon clearly had the purpose to keep her in place.

With a sleight of hands trick Gwaine waved at his prince with something faint, reflecting the light, so it was visible for just a second. A blade. Both the knights were holding daggers in their hands, obviously to keep the Lady silent. Which had not worked, because she had stepped forward, when they had apparently not paid attention.

“I can. I am your father and your king! And you two will fulfil your destiny!”, Uther told her, standing up, from his throne, panting and sweating, all of a sudden. The pendant he was wearing around his neck started glowing, almost not noticeably, but two magic users and a way too attentive prince noticed, in fact.

“No. I will not marry my sister! We will not have children together!”, Arthur told him loudly.

“Never with him!”, Morgana agreed, stepping closer to her brother. The knights were just standing where she had stood. Watching the scene unfold.

“You will not talk back!”, the king shouted visibly stressed.

Merlin watched him. Then shot Gaius a look, but the old man was also fixating the king. Apropos old man: he noticed, that the other old man was not standing next to his mentor any more. Blinked and looked around. Searched the room as Morgana and Arthur tried to talk their father down, still a few metres apart, but joint in their decisions.

“Never!”

“You will breed your sister! You will fulfil the prophecy!”, Uther shouted, now looking like a madman, dripping sweat.

“I will not breed my sister!”

“You will have the heir! You will make sure to bring it back!”, the king announced. And then, all of a sudden, a hand was placed on his shoulder and he stilled. Still breathing heavily. And all eyes were fixed on him and the old man, standing behind him. Holding his shoulder firmly.

“Breathe, Uther. You will lose your temper”, the man commanded. Pushed him down, back into his throne, without effort. All eyes on him.

“We won’t solve this, as things are... You’ll just shout at each other without any progress...”, he sighed and shook his head. And while he shook it, the grey hair changed colour, grew longer and turned dark. The wrinkled face evened, if only slightly and the features became more feminine.

“Nimueh!”, Gaius called out, recognising her first.

Uther continued to sit on his throne, staring straight forward, into nothing, ignoring what was happening around him. Still panting. But otherwise still, as a puppet.

“See, children, playtime’s over. Let’s get to serious business, shall we?”, the witch said, with another sigh. And as the knights finally realised, what was going on, reaching for their swords, she rose her hand at them, mumbled a spell, making them freeze in place, unable to move. Then she turned her gaze back to the three figures in front of her. Arthur had pulled both his daggers out of his boots, holding them in defence, and actually Morgana had drawn a hidden blade as well, eyeing the sorceress furiously.

Merlin stepped closer, still behind his prince, but moving slightly to his left, so he could aim, if necessary. Just a few centimetres away from his alpha.

“So, where was I? Ah, yeah. You two will marry. It’s necessary, to fulfil a very important prophecy. You’ll have to have an offspring, capable of magic, in order to set things back to how they belong!”, Nimueh announced, looking at Arthur. “So, just bond with Morgana and make sure to get her pregnant soon, so your mother’s death wasn’t completely unnecessary“, she continued, as if it was nothing.

Arthur took a sharp breath. Biting his tongue. She had mentioned his mother! How dared she! “My mother...”, he hissed, trying to hold his temper. “Died shortly after giving birth to me. Killed by magic. How was her death unnecessary?”

“Oh? Well, I guess, he didn’t tell you, then? Uther here used magic to create you. That caused your mother’s death in the first place and the great purge. Things have gone wrong, since an infertile omega conceived with the help of magic. So, you owe a child to magic. You owe us a child, Arthur. So just get her pregnant and fulfil that damn prophecy, you need to bring magic back to Camelot anyway!”, Nimueh explained to him, with an almost sweet smile. Shuttering his world with only a few words.

Merlin could feel Arthur snap. And placed a hand on his shoulder, turning to him, now standing next to him. Unguarded. But he needed to talk to him now. Soothe his alpha. Because that was a sore spot. Had always been. They never talked about Arthur’s mother. No one ever did! And no one just told Arthur, he had been the indirect cause of his mother’s death!

“You!”, the alpha growled, gritting his teeth.

“Arthur, no. Stop it...”, Merlin whispered in a gentle voice, holding his shoulder firm.

“She just insulted my mother...”

“She was talking nonsense. But you can’t just attack in blank rage....”, he explained. Letting his pheromones escape. Allowing the prince, to smell his omega. Because plan B would include using magic to restrain him. Which he did not want. But having Arthur storm towards Nimueh in blind rage, would not be a suitable outcome, either.

“I can! She wants me to fuck my own sister! She insulted, she-“

“Stop!”, Merlin ordered him, holding his gaze. “Calm, alpha. Take a breath. We’ll talk this out...”, he said. Then raised his voice, without shifting his attention away from the blonde. “Nimueh?”

“Yes?”, the witch replied, taking in, what was happening in front of her.

“Will you kill the once and future king?”, he asked her, without taking his eyes off his alpha.

“I wish to fulfil the prophecy. I will not take, what I helped create, but I am willing to use force, to ensure a future to our people. So step away, Emrys. He needs to have a-“

Merlin finally broke eye contact with Arthur. Feeling him stop pushing. Still raging, but unwilling to shove his omega away. So he turned around. Looked at the witch. And only just noticed, she had stopped talking. Staring at him. Mouth still half opened.

“What?!”, he just made, because... Well, he was confused by her look. By the fact that her tirade had just stopped mid-sentence.

“What the actual fuck is going on?”, Morgana wanted to know, looking between Merlin and Nimueh and Arthur. Eyes then flickering between witch and sorcerer. And then her eyebrows raised. She shut her mouth. Watched. Because she had just realised. Had put things together that she had not yet expected. But... Who was she to judge?

“Oh... Well... Surely didn’t expect this...”, Nimueh just mumbled, looking Merlin up and down. And her shoulders relaxed. Suddenly her whole demeanour seemed more relaxed, then before. A smile – not an evil one – appeared on her worn out face.

“Err...”, Merlin made, suddenly feeling a little uncertain, being watched this closely.

“Stop staring at him!”, Arthur growled in a deep voice. Still angry, raging. But put off by the sudden change of atmosphere. Something was going on. And he did not know, if he wanted to attack the witch, protect his omega or find out, what was going on.

“You won’t like that, will you, little alpha?”, Nimueh smiled, awfully fondly. “If I’d known, it really were this easy, I couldn’t have bothered enchanting the king and all the trouble of camping in the woods...”, she chuckled.

“Okay? What?”, Arthur replied, now as confused as Merlin.

“Nevermind. I’ll take my leave....”, she laughed just waving it off. Whatever ‘it’ was.

“I don’t understand! What?!”, the prince wanted to know. Shaking his head.

“I was here to make sure, the prophecy gets fulfilled, but it seems, like all the trouble was not necessary at all... Who’d have thought, this would happen?”, she just shrugged, turned to the king and took the pendant from him. As soon as he was freed from it, his eyes closed and his muscles relaxed. Now he did not seem like a puppet any longer, but rather a sleeping old man in his chair.

“You’re just leaving?”, Merlin asked, still not understanding a word.

She turned back to them, still smiling. “Yes. There’s nothing much, I can do. My work’s done here. Morgause can see, if she can turn the wheel, but she can’t defy the will of the triple goddess...”, she told him with another shrug.

“I... See?”, the sorcerer asked.

“Well, however, I’ll be off. Farewell, and...”, she smiled, looking him in the eyes. “Congrats, hope you can enjoy the rest of your pregnancy...”

And with this, she was gone. And the room death silent. No one dared to as much as breathe. Until Gwaine, obviously unexpectedly able to move again, lost his balance and dropped onto the floor, butt first.

“Shit!”, he swore, knowing he had just interrupted something very important and pressed his lips together, pretending he was not there.

“Oh...”, Merlin just made, lamely. Blinking at the place, where the witch had just stood, seconds ago. Which felt like hours. Something inside his brain had all of a sudden just shut down. Unable and probably also unwilling to process any of this.

“Merlin?”, Arthur asked, barely more than a whisper.

“I... I...”, the sorcerer stuttered and stasis turned into panic. He felt his heart racing in his chest. And it hurt. He had the feeling, he could not breathe, any more. This was wrong. This was... This was not true! This had not happened!

“Hey, are you...? Merlin, what’s wrong?!”, Arthur wanted to know, panic in his eyes. He grabbed both Merlin’s shoulders, as the sorcerer grasped for air. Taking fast, unsteady breathes, feeling like he was unable to get any oxygen into his lungs. His heart was hammering in his chest. He could not comprehend.

“I... No, I... Can’t...”, he tried to explain, but nothing came out the way he wanted it to. He was getting dizzy. Air, he needed air!

“Merlin! Stop it. Focus, okay?”, the alpha tried to calm him. “Look at me. It’s okay. Everything is okay. It’s fine. Calm down...”

“I... No, no, nononono!”, the sorcerer whispered and dizziness took over. His whole body started feeling strange, started prickling and suddenly Arthur’s fade became blurry, faded out. And then, his legs gave in.

Arthur noticed him slipping away and caught him in his arms, as soon, as the strength left his body. Held an unconscious Merlin in his arms. Worried. Panicked. His alpha was raging. Howling. But he needed to protect. His omega! His! His!

He growled and bared his teeth, as he noticed someone stepping closer. Approaching his omega. Danger! He needed to protect!

“Arthur, it is me. Gaius. I know, you feel deeply troubled by this, but I need to check on Merlin. Would you allow it?”, a familiar voice reached him. And he knew, it was the physician. It was someone who could help. Help Merlin. A doctor. Merlin needed a doctor.

“Yes, yes, I... Here?”, Arthur asked, fighting back his instincts. Reason. He needed to stay reasonable. Gaius was help, not danger.

“Anywhere would be fine, just... Let him rest”, the physician told him, looking at the unconscious omega, while keeping a distance. He knew how dangerous a panicked alpha could be. And did not want to risk his life.

“My room. Can I bring him there?”, Arthur tried to reason.

“Yes, yes, that would be fine. Rest him on the bed and let me examine. I might need some help, though...”, Gaius nodded.

“Fine. Whatever. Just... Help him...”, the prince said.

“I will. Sir Leon, I need you to do me a favour...”, the old man said, then turned to the knights, who still pretended, they were not there.

“Yes? Anything, Gaius!”, the head of the knights hurried to reply.

“I need you to go to the lower town and get Annes, can you do that for me?”, the physician asked.

“Of course!”, Leon mumbled, nodded and hurried off.

“And, Sir Gwaine, could you fetch George and help him, bring our king into his bed. He needs to rest, I assume...”

“Of course!”

Chapter Text

There were voices. People talking. And scents. A variety of different scents. All mixed together, but... There it was, the calming scent of alpha. Of his alpha. Arthur was close. Yes, now that he concentrated, he heard his voice, as well. Talking to... To, yes, to Gaius, he figured. Yes, it was the voice of the old physician.

He furrowed his brows, to concentrate on the words that were exchanged. But suddenly the voices stopped.

“Hunnh?”, he made. Why did they stop? He wanted to know, what was going on.

“Hey, there you are...”, Arthur’s very gentle voice mumbled and a hand stroked his forehead.

He smiled. That felt good. “Hnn?”, he asked, tried to lean closer. But his body seemed heavy. So he just blinked his eyes open, to at least look at his alpha.  And was surprised, the world around him was very bright. His prince was glowing. At least for a moment, he looked like that.

“Hey”, Arthur smiled at him, caressed his cheek.

“Hey?”, the sorcerer repeated, returning the smile. He had no idea, what was going on, but Arthur was here. That was fine. And he was lying in a soft, comfortable bed. Their bed. Well, Arthur’s bed. He recognised the pillows and furs around him. Yes. Definitely this bed.

“Want to drink something?”, the prince asked.

“Huh? Err... Yeah, probably... Little dizzy...”, Merlin admitted, tried to sit up and immediately a worried Arthur helped him, pushed a bunch of pillows behind him, watching his every movement. Like a nervous mother hen fuzzing about.

“Better? Wait, I’ll fetch you the... Oh, thanks!”, Arthur wanted to know and as he leaned away to fetch him a goblet of water, Morgana handed it to him, wordlessly. He passed it on, to his omega and Merlin drank, before he wondered, what was going on.

He tried to recall the last thing on his mind. Nimueh. They had been in the throne room with Nimueh. Yes. And, and then...

“Gaius checked on you already. It seems you are fine, but he’s send for someone else, to, to make sure...”, Arthur told him. Biting his lip nervously.

“Make sure?”, the sorcerer repeated. Blinked.

“Yes, for now everything seems okay. You don’t need to worry. Just rest some more. So, you want to eat?”, the prince asked him.

“Eat? Again? C’mon, I won’t starve, if I don’t eat for a few hours”,  he sighed, because food was the last thing he could think of at the moment. He had the feeling, something very important had happened, but he was not sure, what exactly. He was missing out on something...

“Just wanna make sure. But it’s okay. Can wait. Just rest some more, I... Fuck, I have no idea, how this works...”, Arthur admitted.

“Just take a step back for now, okay? No need to be nervous”, Morgana suggested, placing a hand on his shoulder. “We don’t know much at the moment. She’ll need to take a look first...”

“But, but... Yeah. You’re right, I... Yes”, the prince said, closed his eyes for a moment and took a deep breath, before smiling at Merlin again. Morgana let go of his shoulder and stepped back. Next to Gaius, who was standing by the bed, with an undefined look on his face. He seemed deep in thoughts.

“Okay? What did I miss? I just fainted, didn’t I? Had it way worse, I won’t die from that”, Merlin said, looking at them.

“No, no. You wouldn’t...”, Arthur assured him. And as he wanted to protest, there was a knock on the door. And then Leon opened it, stepping aside, to let a plump woman in her fifties enter the room. Followed by Gwaine, who tried, not to draw any attention, as he entered. Then Leon let himself in and closed the door, leaning at it.

The knights remained silent, as the woman walked over to the bed, looking around in the room.

“Oh my, if that isn’t a fine nest, really, very cosy, great work!”, she smiled brightly approaching the lying omega.

“This isn’t, I mean...”, Merlin tried to correct her, but was soon cut off.

“No, no, don’t talk back, my boy. You’ve done great. Really. So? Let me take a look?”, she praised him and grabbed his wrist, pulled it towards her and started counting quietly.

Arthur’s first urge was to growl at her, since she was clearly intruding his omega’s space here, but rational Arthur knew, that she meant good. That she was no threat to them, most likely an omega herself, though already too old, to conceive, since her scent gave nothing away. So he stayed, where he was, sitting on the mattress, next to Merlin.

“Good, very good. Yes, that’s a healthy pulse. So? May I ask some questions now?”, the woman wanted to know.

“Err... Yeah, Ma’am?”, Merlin answered, not sure what to say. This woman was... Much.

“Nah, drop the formalities, my dear. Just call me Annes. I’m your midwife. And you are?”, she smiled at him.

“Merlin...”, he replied instantly, before even grasping half of the things she had told him. “Midwife?!”, he then shrieked. Because... Midwife?!

“Yes, usually I stay in the lower town, since the last time someone needed my services in the citadel has been ages ago, but don’t worry, I’m well practiced. So? I can’t detect any specific smell, could you help me on that, darling?”, she wanted to know.

And the sorcerer just stared at her blankly. He was still processing her profession and possible reasons why anyone would need her services here in the citadel.

“He’s masking it, Annes. So others won’t react... Does that... Do anything?”, Arthur answered in his stead, apparently more composed. Actually not really sure, how to deal with... Everything at all, but he needed to keep calm. Or at least be a useful alpha. Be able to help, support his omega.

“I see. That’s a rare trick, so you’re capable... Oh, really, haven’t had a unique omega like that in ages...”, the woman smiled. Patted the sorcerer’s hand.

“Yeah...”, said sorcerer nodded. Still not completely catching on.

“So, you’re his alpha, I suppose?”, she asked, tilting her head, looking at Arthur, examining his neck, very interested.

“Well, yes. I think... Maybe?”

“You’re not bonded, hm? Oh, that’s, well, okay, that would work. Not necessarily that bad for the development... But, you do expose him to your pheromones regularly?”, she wanted to know eyebrows raised in a fashion Gaius used to do when he wanted to imply that he better did exactly this, and Arthur felt, like he had given the wrong answer. Like she was judging him.

“Yes! Of course!”, he hurried to reply and she nodded. Pleased. Okay, whatever this test was, he had passed this one.

“Good. That’s very good. It’s stressful, if he’s not exposed to them regularly. We don’t want to stress him more, do we?”, she inquired.

And Arthur shook his head. No. We did not want that. We really did not want that!

“Great, so my dearest, tell me, when was your last heat?”, Annes wanted to know, attention shifting back to Merlin. Who was still very confused.

“Err... What?!”, he just made, unhelpfully.

“Second week of march. Directly after the first daffodils bloomed in the gardens”, Arthur told her. Because he knew by heart. It was the day of his coming-of-age ceremony. Which followed the customs of the country. The start of spring.

“I see... I see...”, Annes nodded, looked at Merlin’s face. Took his chin in her hand and turned it. Looked into his eyes, tilted his head.

“Is he okay?”, the prince wanted to know.

“My dear boy, if he wasn’t, I wouldn’t be standing here chit-chatting with you...”, she told him, like he was an idiot. Which... Probably was not that far off, considering he had not noticed this for... Months?

“I’m pregnant?”, Merlin finally caught on. Voicing all the things that suddenly summed up in his mind. Brought him to this conclusion. And made him laugh. “Oh, please, that’s impossible...”, he waved it off, chuckling. Because this definitely was impossible. So absolutely not possible! He could not be pregnant! He was a male omega! And he was not even bonded! The chances the he would ever get pregnant were almost zero, so why would he be now? And from whom... Oh. Yeah... His gaze wandered to Arthur. Alpha. Dominant alpha. Dominant alpha he yearned to be close to. This would... But no, this did not make sense, it still was impossible!

“Oh, dear boy, you’re cute. Haven’t seen such innocence in ages...”, Annes laughed with him. Good-heartedly. At least he hoped, she was not laughing at him.

“I can’t be pregnant!”, he explained again. Because... What were the odds?

“And yet, you are. As sure as water’s wet. So? Let me examine you properly?”, she smiled.

“I, I... I can’t...”, Merlin replied, feeling the panic in him rising again. And suddenly remembered Nimueh’s words. Fuck.

“Merlin, it’s okay. Calm. No one’s accusing you. She just wants to check. Make sure, you’re healthy. Okay?”, Arthur asked, by his side, arms suddenly around him. Calming him, soothing him.

The sorcerer nodded. Tried to even his breathing. Tried to take in this new revelation. Because... No!

“Maybe...”, Gaius’ voice suddenly echoed through the room. “Some knights need to assist me with some things down, in my quarters?”, he asked out loud and Gwaine and Leon flinched armour clanking. Pretending to not be there apparently did not work out.

“Yes, of course!”, they both hurried to agree.

“And maybe Milady wants to pick up her medicine?”, the physician suggested.

“Yes!”, Morgana said.

And with that, the short conversation ended and four pairs of feet hurried out of the room, door closing behind them. So the not-quite couple was alone with Annes.

“Could you lift that blanket, honey? I need to examine that belly of yours...”, the midwife smiled at the omega. Reassuringly.

“I, err... Okay?”, Merlin agreed. Not really sure, where this would lead, because he could, by no chance, be pregnant! So what would she find there? Some fat, he had gained in the last months...

“Great!”, Annes said and pulling back the blanket carefully. “You can touch, while I look. Soothe him...”, she instructed the prince, who instantly got closer, leaned against his side and wrapped an arm around his shoulder.

“Hey, I don’t need that!”, the omega protested half-heartedly, but leaned into the touch, so he stayed like this.

Annes carefully shoved his shirt up, his belt was nowhere to be seen, someone must have taken it off, as he had been unconscious.

She looked at his belly and nodded. Then she carefully touched his skin, pressed on his belly, as if searching for something. Then nodded again and started rummaging around in the pockets of her dress, until she found an iron instrument, vaguely resembling a horn or trumpet.

“I don’t even wanna ask...”, the omega mumbled, but watched, as she placed the big opening on his belly and held her ear at the small one. It was cold, but warmed soon, as she let it slide over the skin. Muttered things to herself every now and then. And then looked up, putting the instrument away. Nodded. Then used her fingers, to press on several different areas of his belly again, feeling for something, examining.

“Well, congratulations, gentlemen...”, she announced with another smile. Held out her hand and made a lose fist. “Apparently your baby should be around this size by now. Your heat had been successful...”

 Merlin went pale. Stared at her hand. That was a big hand. So he had something of THAT size inside of him? That was impossible! Absolutely impossible! He could not be pregnant. That was absolutely impossible! And, and Arthur! Arthur! He was carrying Arthur’s child. The child of the prince of Camelot! His bastard. Fuck. Luck was running in the family, as it seemed. He would end up alone with child, like his mother had, long ago. Because... Because he could not have Arthur’s child! The prince’s child! He crown pricne’s child! He needed to leave! He had to!

“Hey... It’s okay. It’s fine. We’ll work things out...”, Arthur mumbled, voice low, assuring. Stroking his shoulder with his thumb, while holding him close.

“This... No...”, Merlin whispered. Shaking his head.

“Oh, dear boy. Everything’s fine. The little one’s healthy so far. It’s moving quite eagerly. When you pay attention, you’ll be able to feel it kicking inside. And soon your alpha will also be able to feel it from the outside, you’re already quite far along, you see? The critical phase is over. Now the little one just needs to grow and get stronger to prepare for the birth...”, Annes told him with a nod.

“I... It can’t be...”

“You’ll get used to it, soon, sweetheart. I’ll I back tomorrow afternoon, okay? I’ll bring you some things and tell you some more. I don’t think, you’ll be able to take in more, for the day, hm?”, she said. “Don’t worry, you still have about four or five more months to get used to things. You’ll manage”, she added, ruffling his hair, before stretching and turning around.

“Just relax for now! Have some fun or whatever. Everything’s allowed, that feels good and helps you bond!”, she then added, already standing by the door. Then she waved at them and was gone.

Morgana took care of things after that, because Arthur had to stay in his chambers for now. He had to! So she made sure, no one would disturb them. This included handling Uther, who had by now woken up, wondering what had happened.

She told him, that he himself had dismissed the idea of marriage between his children and had been so relieved, to see both of them happy, that he had fainted on his throne. And he bought it. He did not suspect a thing, especially not any magic included in this.

Then she made sure, Gwen would bring dinner to Arthur’s chambers, leaving it in front of the door, meanwhile enjoying her newly won freedom, being able to stroll through the hallways again, after being locked into her room.

And after that was done, she went to Gaius, making sure, to learn everything there was to learn about pregnancy in male omegas. Because that was different from female omegas, for obvious reasons. And actually a very tired physician sat down with her and shared all his knowledge on that topic, admitting that he himself did not know it all, because this was the midwife’s profession.

Later that evening – actually it was night already – she sought out the knights’ quarters. A thing, she did not regularly do, but every now and then, she hung around them. She liked the men and she was under the impression, that they did not hate her, either.

“Milady!”, Leon gasped, as he noticed her, standing in the door.

She looked around and noticed, that only Arthur’s most trusted knights were there, the others had gone to bed already. Since they all had the day off tomorrow, they could sleep in and thus were still awake.

“Arthur won’t be coming to training a for a few days, I suppose. Sir Leon, could you take over?”, she asked. She was not a war strategist, but she had a basic understanding of how things worked. She knew her brother’s usual routines and how to run the castle, though it was very unlikely, that she as a female omega would ever be in charge of anything at all. But things like that had never stopped her.

“Of course, Milady!”, the head of the knights nodded, understanding, what must be going on.

“Good. I need you all to have his back. No matter what will happen. Will you be loyal?”, she then asked into the round. Looking at each face for a long time. Taking in every impression. She knew, they were. This was not the first time, they were acting behind Uther’s back. Though, she had no idea, what the extent of this situation would be.

“Of course, Milady. We swore an oath to our prince”, Leon nodded.

“We swore!”, Gwaine agreed.

“Indeed, Lady Morgana”, Percival said.

“Arthur’s our leader and friend!”, Lancelot assured her.

“Definitely?”, Elyan agreed, not yet knowing, where this would lead.

“Good”, she said. Still looking at them. “And what about Merlin?”, she then inquired.

“This doesn’t change a thing, you see?”, Gwaine told her. “We all like him, anyway, so this is actually just a bonus. Didn’t expect it, but wouldn’t stop being loyal to our favourite mascot, just because of that”, he shrugged.

“I see. Is that what you all think, or does anyone disagree?”, she wanted to know.

“I don’t think there would be anything Merlin could do, that would make us doubt him. He’s loyal to Arthur, you see? He would die for him”, Lancelot said. Not really knowing, what all this was about. Leon and Gwaine had reunited with them at some point, told them, there was no enemy to fight and that everyone was save, then they had taken to their wine, silently  at some point, Percival had placed a hand on Gwaine’s shoulder and asked him, if he was alright. Which was very unusual.

“That’s good then. We’ll see, how things work out. Right now, we just need to make sure, the king won’t suspect anything is going on. So... You might need to cover for my idiot brother, can you do that?”

“We’re quite experienced with this, Milady! Not a problem at all!”, Elyan said, also not really knowing what exactly was going on.

“Good. Then I will finally go to bed... This day’s so much longer than expected, so far... You should also rest. Who knows, what tomorrow will bring...”, she sighed, shaking her head. Then she turned around and left the knights alone. And actually went straight to bed.

“Did she – by any chance – learn about Merlin’s ... You know...?”, Elyan asked, making a hand gesture, that implied magic.

“What happened, Leon? Gwaine?”, Lancelot wanted to know. Because, if anyone knew, it would be them. They had been there. Wherever ‘there’ would be, because they had not told them much.

“Well... I... This is a private matter, I think. We shouldn’t tell...”, Leon mumbled, chewing on his lower lip. Exchanging a look with Gwaine.

“Hmm...”, was Gwaine’s reply.

“I am not sure, whether you should keep it a secret, but if it helps us protect our prince, we might rather know?”, Percival, the virtuous one, noted.

“C’mon, spill. What happened? Did Arthur knock him up or something?”, Lancelot grinned, elbowing Gwaine. But the desperate whining he got in return made him halt. Raise his eyebrows. “Not really?”, he sighed, staring into his friend’s eyes. “Fuck. He did...”

“Lance, this really is a delicate matter...”, Leon tried to save whatever there was to save.

“Wait, whaaaat?!”, Elyan exclaimed. Staring at Leon and Gwaine. Shaking his head. “That’s impossible! I mean, we all know they must have fucked, but how does that work?”

“Merlin’s an omega...”, Lancelot told them with a sigh.

“This can’t be! He doesn’t smell like one!”, Percival replied.

“He’s a beta! Male betas can’t get pregnant!”, Elyan reminded them all.

“No. Actually not. He was just masking his scent. When he was poisoned this one time, I had to take care of him. That included making sure, he took his suppressants. So, yes... He’s an omega...”, Lancelot explained. “So he really is pregnant??”

“Well... The midwife was with them last time we saw them... So... Yeah?”, Leon mumbled.

“And Morgana knows, too?”, Elyan asked.

“Nimueh, that witch, told Merlin. We were standing next to Morgana then, so obviously she knows. But she’s on our side, as far as I can tell at this point...”, Leon told his friends. “I don’t know, how far we can trust her, but she seems to care...”

“I can’t believe, Merlin’s with child. He’s always this reckless...”, Percival said, a little worried.

“Well, he knows since today, so I guess, he’ll be more careful now”, Gwaine told him with a reassuring smile. “We’ll protect him, okay? Make sure, no harm will be done?”

“Yes. We’ll stand with our prince and Merlin!”, Percival nodded.

“We will!”, Leon agreed.

“Definitely!”, Lancelot agreed.

“Of course!”, Elyan smiled. “Actually, I thought, you’ll make me an uncle, first, Lance...”

“Well, can’t say, I’m not trying...”

They had talked. No, actually Arthur had tried to reassure him, to tell him everything was alright, which definitely was not true. Nothing was alright! He was with child! With Arthur’s child! He was carrying the bastard of the crown prince!

This knowledge was, what kept him awake now. Next to him, arms wrapped around him, Arthur was sleeping peacefully. Breathing into his ear. The proximity was calming him, his body was relaxed. But his mind was racing. He could not do this! He could not just have Arthur’s child! Not here, in the citadel! How was he supposed to protect his prince, the once and future king, when he was having his child? How was he supposed to survive him marrying an omega, when he was... No, no, this would not work out! Not like this!

He could not, no, under no circumstances! He had to do something. He had to protect Arthur’s reputation. The child. And maybe his heart. But that was neglectable. He needed to take care of things.

Because, this was impossible!

So he gently entangled his limbs from Arthur and got out of bed. Took a breath and stoked over his belly. Well, there it was. Their baby. In him. Growing. If he was calculating correctly, he would give birth in winter. Some time before yule. So he might still have time, but... This was hard to keep a secret here in the castle. News travelled fast. He could hardly keep his pregnancy a secret until the very end. And then questions would arise. People would want to know, how he could have gotten pregnant. He was supposedly a beta, after all. So this lie would be uncovered. And then people would ask, who was the father to the child. And this, he could not let happen.

He had to protect Arthur. He had to!

So he got dressed, as quietly, as he could. Thought of just going. Just leaving. But in the end, he at least owed his alpha an explanation. A reason for what he was doing. So he grabbed quill and paper and wrote a fast message. Not his best handwriting, but it would do. Then he left. Closed the door behind him and made his way to the stables.

Secretly he prepared a well rested horse, filled his water skins, then he lead the animal out of the stable and towards the gate. He nodded at the guards, who were irritated but knew him and his missions, he often had to go on to fetch things for the physician, so no one questioned him and his heading out.

And then, he was gone.

Leaving Camelot behind, the castle he loved to dearly, that he had only just returned to in the morning. But what should he do? There was nothing he could do. He needed to do the right thing. He needed to make sure, Arthur would become the next king. And he could not ensure this, while he was having his child. He needed to leave. He had to. For Arthur’s sake. For their child’s sake!

Because he loved him. He deeply loved his alpha. Needed to protect him. And the best he could do for now, was making sure, Uther would never find out about this. No one would find out. He would be okay. He had to be okay. He would make sure, the baby was safe. Would be in the best care, he could ever imagine.

And maybe, one day, he would return to Camelot, could stand in the shadow, behind his king and make sure, he would be the once and future king, uniting all of Albion but not know. Not under those circumstances. Prophecies could wait. That stupid dragon could wait. Would have to wait, until this was solved.

Arthur had his knights. They would watch over him, protect him, until he could dare to return. They had to. He trusted these men.

And then there was Morgana. She would advise him. Make sure, Arthur would not do anything stupid. This would work out. It had to work out. Because he could not be there right now. He had to think of the child. Of their unborn baby.

With one hand on his belly, he urged the horse to go faster. And with the help of his magic, he made sure, he would be fast. Faster than ever. Because no one had to be able to chase after him.

Chapter Text

When he opened his eyes, he felt nervous. Anxious. Like something was very much not alright. His alpha was on guard. Senses heightened. He listened, but there was no sound, but the birds, singing outside, the rustling of leaves. Then he smelled the air. And smelled nothing at all. His bed. His sheets. The faint hint of omega. Nothing remarkable. Nothing remarkable to feel as well. He was lying there, on his big and soft and comfortable bed, surrounded by way too many pillows and furs. Nothing special.

Then, he opened his eyes, because... There was nothing. No omega to hear, to feel or to smell. So he wanted to check, to look for his omega. For Merlin. His pregnant not-quite mate. Yes, he remembered. And panicked, because he could not see him as well. Sat up and looked around.

The room was empty. No Merlin to be seen. But then, there was no breakfast standing on the table, so maybe Merlin was out, fetching it, back in a hunch. A sudden flash of dutiful servant behaviour. Or maybe just hunger. Maybe Merlin would be back, soon. Within a few minutes.

He stretched and got out of bed. It had to be around noon by now, he supposed. They had slept in. So he should probably get dressed. Merlin had not prepared clothes for him yet, so he opened his wardrobe and fetched something to wear. He was very capable of doing to, himself. He should maybe not push his omega so much, right now. He was a servant, yes, but he was pregnant, was he not? He should not stress him.

By the way, where was he? How long did it take, to fetch some food?

Now fully dressed, he opened the door to look outside, into the hallway, to see, if maybe Merlin was already approaching. But there was no Merlin. Instead he found a tray with breakfast in front of the door. With a frown, he took it and brought it in. Where was Merlin?  If he was not out, fetching them food?

Was he with Gaius maybe? Had woken up early and decided to visit the old man? Possibly. Yet, Arthur had a bad feeling. His omega should be with him. By his side. Not wherever. He wanted him around. His pregnant omega. Fuck, he was going to be a father. He was really going to have a child. With Merlin! He still could not believe it. The idea was... Strange.

But he had had to get used to it fast, because Merlin had been so, so panicked. He had had to be there for him, make him feel save, so he had forced himself, to accept this new circumstance very fast. To get used to it, so he could be there for his mate. For his omega.

Where was his omega? The fact, that he was not around, was unsettling. Especially since Merlin had not taken the news too well, yesterday. So he wanted to be close, to hold him, to continue telling him, somehow they would be fine. That things would work out.

But Merlin was not here. In his room. And his scent was only faint. So probably he had not been here for a few hours? Not good.

He placed the tray on the table, shoving away some papers. Stilling, as he recognised a handwriting, he was not familiar with. One he had seen before, but not in his papers. Merlin!  His eyes widened and he sat, as he fetched the sheet and looked at it. Read the short message, written in a hurry, as it seemed, because there were few mistakes in it and the handwriting itself was rather sloppy. Something he did not expect from his servant. And while he read, he went paler, and paler, hands trembling. He had to remind himself, to breathe steadily.

Sorry, Arthur,

I know it does not sem fair to you, but I made my decision.

I am leaving Camelot. For good.

You need to become the next kind king of Camelot and as things are right now, we are only in your way.

Please do nott worry, for our secret will be safe. I will find a good plase.

And maybe one day, I can return. Stand behind you and be your friend again. But until that day, it is best for all three of us, if I am not around.

People should never fint out. Your father should never know.

I do not want to run things for you.

I never told you, but I think, you know, what I feel. And this needs to change. Things need to settl.

Please, do not do anything rash. You need tom think of your people, the people of Camelot! You are their prince.

You neet to marry a good omega and become a wice ruler.

Forget all of this. Please.

And after reading, just burn this note. You can not have anyone read it.

Merlin

He just dropped the note onto the floor. White as chalk. This could not be! This was impossible! Merlin had left! For good! Merlin was gone! Had left the citadel. Camelot! No. Nononono! He could not have lost him!  Merlin could not just have left! Absolutely impossible!

He sat there for almost an hour, just staring into nothingness. Trying to understand what had happened. What would happen now. And he just did not know, how to react. He wanted to get angry, to rage, throw things, break things. He wanted to scream and shout. And cry! Because he wanted his omega! He needed his omega! Their child!

And then he wanted to leave, leave Camelot behind, chase after his omega, find him, run away together with him, be with him, somewhere, far away! Fuck all this! He just needed Merlin! His soon-to-be family!

Then he wanted to go to his father,  tell him about his child, tell him, he would marry his omega and that he could do nothing to stop this! Yes, this was an option, too. So he would be with Merlin here, in the citadel. Have him by his side, because, because...

He could not be without Merlin. There was no chance, he would just continue like nothing happened. Never! He could not just forget his omega and go back to how life was, before! No chance!

So... What should he do?

For the moment he went for pacing in his room, thinking. Playing scenarios in his head. Over and over again. Worrying for his mate.

“Merlin?”, she asked, turning around, as the horse approached. “What are you doing here?”, she wanted to know, as the animal came to a halt, right in front of her.

“I came back”, he answered. He was tired. Had not slept in way too long. And had used a great amount of magic, to make the horse go faster. Faster than any horse ever could, but he had not cared, he had had to get away.

“You... Oh my, what’s going on, my dear?”, she wanted to know, helped him dismount and looked him up and down in worry.

“I... I need to stay here for a while. A few months, and...”, Merlin told her, putting the hand onto his belly, looking at her.

And her eyes widened.  “Merlin, you....”, she gasped.

He just shrugged. “Well...”

“Gaius!”, he exclaimed, as he opened the door, not bothering to knock. He entered, but as he looked at the startled old man, he came back to his senses and quietly closed the door behind him. More quietly.

“Milord?”, the physician asked, trying to regain his composure.

“Do you know, where he went?”, the prince of Camelot wanted to know, taking a deep breath. He could not lose his temper like that. He was still the prince, he reminded himself.

“Merlin?”, Gaius replied. “I assume, he is not with you, at the moment?”

“No. He was gone, when I woke up...”, Arthur told him. Concentrating on his breathing.

“Gone, Milord?”

“He left Camelot. For good...”

“Are you sure?”, the old man wanted to confirm.

“Read this...”, Arthur said handing him the letter his omega had left. He took it and skimmed over the text, before reading it again, word for word, forehead in wrinkles.

“This is... Sadly exactly what Merlin would do...”, he then sighed, shaking his head.

“Where did he go?”, the prince wanted to know.

“I... Could only guess. But since he does not know many places, I assume, he would go, where he thinks, the child would be the safest...”, Gaius told him.

“I see, thanks, Gaius!”, Arthur said, realising, what he might have meant and stormed out of the door.

The old man looked after him, before closing the door again. Sighed out loud.

“My dear boy, what did you do....?”, he asked out loud. Looking at the piece of paper in his hand. And then he fulfilled the sorcerer’s wish and held it over the flame of the lamp on his desk. The paper caught fire immediately.

Arthur went to his father. A thing, he hated to do, but he knew his duties, his responsibilities. He could not just leave. He at least needed the king’s permission. For whatever. He would think of an excuse at some point, while talking. Because he would not tell his father, what exactly he was planning. He could under no circumstances sell him, that he wanted to leave Camelot, chasing after his omega servant he accidentally impregnated, who by the way knew magic, which made nothing better. Absolutely nothing!

“Father, I request riding out, on a patrol to the eastern border!”, he announced, entering the room. Uther was sitting in his throne, an at his intrusion bewildered Morgana standing next to him, talking to him. Well, not any more. Now she was staring at him in disbelief.

“Arthur! What are you doing here? Are you not supposed to be training your knights?”, the king asked in return.

“Indeed, but I got word, bandits were spotted in the east, attacking our villages!”, the prince made up. Because, well, he needed to tell him something. And he could not just tell him, where he actually wanted to go. So this seemed a good idea. Bandits always were. Because there always were bandits somewhere.

“When exactly did you get word of this?”, Uther asked, raising an eyebrow, obviously not pleased by this sudden interruption of whatever he had been doing.

“I heard rumours. When I was out with, with Sir Leon and Sir Elyan. They can confirm! I need to ride out! Today!”, Arthur said, silently apologizing to his friends and hoping, they would confirm, whatever he said, if inquired.

“You just returned from the south. I think, a few days at home, will do you good, after all, you need to prepare...”, the king told him. “Just send a few of your knights, I hardly think, bandits require a prince...”

“I... I need to. I can’t let the people of Camelot hanging. What will they think, when I, as the prince, do not take this serious?”, he tired to argue, rigorously pushing down his emotions. He needed to go! He needed to! Had to get to his mate. He shot Morgana a look, tried to put some of his suppressed emotions into it, begging for help. Because he was desperate and she was the only ally in the room, if he could even consider her such.

And the omega raised her eyebrows and silently voiced a question. Her lips formed a ‘Merlin?’. So he nodded. Tried to make her understand, that this was about him. That this was important and that he was not just trying to leave the castle or something stupid.

“I don’t think, the people expect immediate actions, even when they ask for help... This matter does not seem urgent at all...”

“But, Milord, I do think, this might be important...”, Morgana said in her sweetest voice, leaning over to her father. She was even batting her eyelids, using all her omega charm, willing to play the sweet innocent daughter for once in her lifetime.

“Morgana?”, Uther asked, shifting his attention to her.

“See Mildord, if we act fast, the people will not only show us their respect and gratitude, enemies of the kingdom would also be impressed, maybe intimidated... No one would dare to attack our villages, if they fear fast movement...”, she sweet-talked him, presenting her most endearing smile. Which she usually hated to. This was a low move, usually way beneath her, but well, something was up.

“Hm... You do have a point, Morgana...”, Uther mumbled. Thought, while the siblings tried to exchange looks. “But I cannot possibly let you ride out today. Tomorrow afternoon, better the day after. We still have a court meeting tomorrow, Arthur. You can not neglect your duties here in the citadel!”, he reminded his son.

“I... I understand, my king, but-“

“No excuses, you will be present in the meeting. Then, when you are done with your duties, you can ride out with two or three of your knights. And hurry up, after you return, you will need to focus on your training and the tournament! This is an order!”

“Yes, Milord!”, Arthur said, bowed, and gritted his teeth in secret. Then he retreated. Left the room, Morgana following.

“So? What happened?”, she asked, as they seemed alone. Looking him up and down, clearly feeling his anxiety.

“Could I escort you to your chambers, Milady?”, he asked, looking around.

She nodded. “Of course.”

They both hurried through the hallways, to her chambers and got inside, as fast as possible without losing their dignity. Because, they were the prince, and the king’s ward, they would not just run, flee!

“Where’s Merlin?”, she asked, as soon as the door shut.

“Don’t know!”, he told her, voice harsher then he meant for it to be, now letting his panic take over again. He tried to focus on something, but could not, his alpha was screaming, crying. He wanted to go after his omega! He needed to, had to! His, his, his! His pregnant omega!

“You don’t know? How can you not know?!”, she shouted at him, mirroring his emotions.

“Because I don’t?! Woke up and he was gone!”

“He was gone?!”, she screamed in horror.

“He wrote, that he left for good! For fuck’s sake, I need to go! I need to get him! He can’t be out there all alone!”

“You have to! Fuck! Why is he gone?! What did you do?!”, she accused him. Because Merlin would not just leave! Merlin belonged here! Though it seemed a very Merlin thing to do.

“I don’t know! I didn’t do a thing!”

“Did you say something about the baby?! Did you make him insecure about it?! Arthur, what the fuck have you done?!”

“Nothing! I wouldn’t want him gone! I love him! And I’ll love our child, but he, he, he thinks, oh fuck, Morgana!”

“He thinks what?!” She stilled. Took a breath. Actually willing to listen now.

“He thinks, this will complicate things...”

“Well, it does complicate things...”, the witch agreed.

“Yes, I know! But with him gone things will... I can’t just go on without him! Fuck! I need him!”, Arthur admitted, fighting back tears. It had been years, since he last cried. He had been a child and Morgana had been there, too, he vaguely remembered. She had witnessed, how their father had slapped him and told him, that alphas did not cry. After that, he had never cried again. Not in public, at least. As far as he remembered. And now he was on the verge of tears. Because he had lost, what he loved most. His omega. His beloved Merlin!

“I know. I know, Arthur. Fuck....”, she replied, now significantly less loud.  She sighed and shook her head, placed her hand on his shoulder, realising how he must be feeling. So she swallowed her own rage.

“I love him, Morgana. I know, it won’t be easy, to have him here. But... I can’t imagine even a week without him around... It’s not only the alpha. I need him....”, he told, what he had never told anyone before. What he probably should have told Merlin.

“I know. But you need to think. I agree, that we can’t have him somewhere out there all alone, that he can’t just leave. I’m worrying to death, you see? But...”, she said, then she did, what she had not done in years. She pulled him closer and hugged him. Because she was his older sister. And because he really, really needed a hug.

“I need to go after him...”, Arthur mumbled into her long, curly hair. She was shorter than him, more fragile, but right now, she felt strong. Steady. Like someone he could dare to be weak around. Dare to rely on just this once.

“Definitely. We need Merlin here in Camelot! And we can’t have your baby grow up somewhere in the woods or wherever. But, you see... You can’t just go after him without a thought... Uther would probably disown you, if he found out that way...”

“I fear, you’re not that far off.... But I need to ride out...”

“Where to? Do you even know, where he is?”

“I... I suspect, he’s gone back to Ealdor... His mother lives there. He’s the kind of man who’d probably go there. He feels save there...”, he told her, remembering his brief encounter with the warm-hearted woman. Saw, why his beloved would go there.

“That’s why you want to go east? You know, you can’t just ride into Cendred’s territory with your knights?”, she mumbled. Because not being allowed to engage in matters of the kingdom, did not necessarily mean, she did not know about things. She was an expert on staying in the back, observing and planning. Because she was a female omega. And that was just what you do, when you most likely would not ever be in charge, but wanted to be informed, just in case.

With that knowledge, she would easily have been able to overthrow the king, to follow her half-sister, Morgause, but she had decided otherwise. She had decided to side with Merlin. Which included her idiot brother, but that had been a risk she had been willing to take, since, after all, he seemed to have changed for the better. He was no longer the spoilt prat, she used to fight with, but a more or less responsible prince. With Merlin by his side, at least.

“I know... Won’t take the knights all the way. I’d ride alone anyway. Would be better...”

“And completely unreasonable. You can take three knights. Take them. Think of something, father would approve of. You’re an idiot, but you can be quite smart”, she smiled at him. Let him go and stepped back.

His eyes were maybe, just a little red. But they would not talk about it.

“I can’t wait until tomorrow afternoon....”

“You said, he’s with his mother? Or on the way there? So he’ll be safe. He can protect himself. He’s not that helpless, you see...”

“So... You know?”, he asked, carefully. He did not want to assume, because that secret was a very dangerous one to be revealed lightly within the walls of Camelot, but... Did she know?

“I know, what Emrys is capable of...”, she told him dismissively.

And Arthur nodded. Emrys. Merlin. Yes, so she at least knew this.

“Did the druids tell you?”

“Something like that. But that’s not a thing to discuss in public. Even in here. Gwen?”, Morgana told him, then turning around to a very shocked maidservant, who had dropped needle and fabric ages ago and  had thus far pretended to not be there.

“Yes, Milady?”, she mumbled, not really comfortable in her current position.

“Can you spare your husband for a few more days?”

“If it’s about Merlin, he’d be enraged, if he did not get to join the rescue party”, she told her Lady.

“Great. Well, you can choose, whoever you like, though...”, Morgana said, smiling at her brother.

“So... Gwen’s aware, too?”, was his weak reply. Who knew? And who knew what? After all, there was more than one secret.

“They’ve been friends, since he came to Camelot. Of course she knows everything about him, right?”

“Milady, I...”, Gwen mumbled, blushing. Obviously she had not known everything there was to know. The very big revelation had hit her,  in just this conversation. But she could not just tell Arthur this.

“Fine, whatever. I’ll talk to my men. And ride out as soon, as anyhow possible. Can I count on your help?”

“I’ll deal with father. Ride out after that godforsaken meeting. We’ll make something up, right, Gwen?”

“Of course! Just bring Merlin back!”, the dark tanned woman nodded. Suddenly looking very certain.

Arthur stormed into the knights’ quarters. Because his knights were off duty today, as far as he was aware, so he would most likely find them there. And because as soon as he was down there, he could allow himself to walk fast. He felt safe here.

“Leon, who’s around, right now?”, he asked, as he spotted the head of the knights, sitting there, sunken in a chess game with some other, less familiar, knight.

“Milord!”, Leon replied, standing up immediately, game forgotten. “Err, I’m here?”

“I can see that. Get the others and come to my chambers. Now!”, the prince told him and just left. Because standing still was something, he did not feel capable of at the moment. He needed to walk, to do something. Because any chance he would get, to rest, would drive him mad, right now, would make him chase his omega. Because, because… Fuck, he needed to talk to him, to hold him, to assure him! He needed his Merlin!

Back in his chambers, he started pacing. Inhaling the lingering scent of his omega. And he missed him, yearned for him. Not sure, whether it had been a good idea, to summon the knights to his chambers, when the scent of his beloved made him this, this anxious.

It did not take Leon long to gather all knights in question, because of course ‘the knights’ were not all knights of Camelot, but their small group of most trusted ones.

“As you might have already learned…”, Arthur greeted them walking up and down in front of the men, all standing in line, next to each other, in front of the door. He gave Leon and Gwaine a look, then continued. “Merlin is in quite a delicate condition at the moment…”, he phrased it, searching the faces of his other knights for understanding or maybe confusion. But he found them aware. Well, guiltily looking down.

“Where is he, by the way, haven’t seen him around all day…”, Gwaine dared to ask, curiously looking around in Arthur’s chambers. Examining the room where both of them obviously lived. Obviously slept in that big bed, because pillows and furs and blankets and all… The small antechamber by the door,  barely bigger than a wardrobe, served solemnly as a storage room for Merlin’s belongings. Which anyone would notice upon entering. Which was the reason, why no one beside him and Merlin ever entered his cambers these days.

“That’s because…”, Arthur replied, biting his lip. Taking a deep breath. “Because he is not around, at the moment…”

“You didn’t send him away after, because… No!”, Lancelot exclaimed, staring at him in horror. Assuming the worst, of course. Well, he was one of Merlin’s best friends and allies.

“Of course I didn’t! What do you take me for?!”, he exclaimed. “He was just gone, when I woke up!”

“Fuck!”, Gwaine commented.

“Did he maybe panic? I mean, maybe he just wants some air?”, Percival asked, carefully, not knowing much about the situation. What ‘not being here’ could mean.

“He left a note. Telling me, he left for good…”, Arthur admitted, now again pacing. Because he could not stand still! Not now!

“Did you do anything to him?”, Lancelot wanted to know. Because, well, he was loyal to his prince, but forced to choose, he would side with Merlin, no matter what.

“No! Never! I, I know this situation is fucked up and all! But I’d never! I mean, I want that. I’d never actually do anything to him!”, said prince told him. “He’s… Precious…”

“So our cute little omega panicked and left the castle on a whim, right?”, Gwaine wanted to know.

“Probably. I’ll ride after him as soon as my father lets me. And I need your help, actually…”

“Whatever there is, my prince!”, Elyan said. The others agreed.

“I told my father about bandits on the eastern border. Elyan and Leon should confirm this, in case there will be questions. I will take three of you with me, as soon as I survived the damn council meeting tomorrow. I want those three to actually check on the villages close to the border, make sure, everyone is safe. If you encounter any bandits, kill them or arrest them, whichever seems suitable. Something we can report back to my father. I will ride on, to fetch my manservant…”, Arthur explained his plan. “Got that?”

All the knights nodded.

“Good, I will take Lancelot and Gwaine to make sure, they will be remembered and Percival, to ensure, the memories will not be too negative…”, he decided.

Another nod. No actually talking back.

“Leon and Elyan will stay here and ensure, everything goes as usual. I think Morgana is in this with us. So if my father gets suspicious, I assume, she will have my back on this. We all want Merlin back. I assume?”

Another nod. Everyone agreed on this. Because, well, Merlin. They all liked Merlin. And they wanted to protect him. And he could best be protected within the walls of the citadel. At least they silently agreed on this.

“I will need a word with Gwen, but…”

“She already agreed to let you go with us. But of course, take your evening to settle things with her. As soon as the last sentence has been spoken, tomorrow, we’ll ride out of Camelot. Wear your armour, I’ll make sure to go in commoner’s clothing. One of you can pack my chainmail...”

And again, everyone nodded. Agreed. Because this was for Merlin. Because they all cared for Merlin. And well, whatever had happened, it was Arthur’s job to set things back to right.

“C’mon, my dear, dinner’s ready!”, she said in a gentle voice and pulled the blanket off his head, to peek at him.

“Yes, yes. I’ll eat...”, Merlin sighed and tried to pull the blanket back up. To hide under it, curled in to himself. Like he had done the last three days. Actually since his arrival, he had only left his makeshift bed to eat and for bodily necessities. He did not really talk, though she was gentle with him, understanding. She had not asked too many questions, had just taken him in her arms and been there. She had only wanted to know, if he was bonded with the alpha, who had caused this. Which he could deny. But he still felt like shit.

He could not explain, why exactly, but he had been sad all the time. Had cried for hours under the blanket. In secret. Well, of course, she had known. But she had just hugged the pile of blanket, he had turned into, and carefully rocked him back and forth, like she had done so many years ago.

“You need to. It’s for the baby, my sweetheart....”, she reminded him, because she had to remind him to eat, all the time. Had had not really felt hungry, since he left. Just so very sad. He missed him so desperately.

“Yes, yes. Give me some time....”, he mumbled.

“If I do, you won’t eat until tonight. I know, how it feels, honey, I really do...”, she told him, sitting down next to him. Sighed. And went silent. Which made Merlin curious. So he peeked from out of the blanket. Searched her face.

“Hm?”, he made after a while without a word.

She looked into the distance, with a sad smile. “I know exactly how you feel, my darling...”, she then said.

“You don’t. I know, I’m not bonded, but... It felt so strong. Like he was the one. Like... But I couldn’t do this to him. I had to go. For his sake....”, he told her. Which was more than he had done in the last days.

“I do know, my love. I do... For I have felt the same, years ago...”, she sighed, without looking at him.

“You’re a beta, you can’t know... Even though, you loved dad. It’s just different...”, Merlin pouted.

“It’s not, actually... Your farther, he... He left for the same reason you did...”

“So he knew, you were... That I was...?”

“No. He did not know, I was pregnant. But he broke both our hearts for my sake. So I would  be safe. He never knew about you...”

“I know...”, he admitted, head now fully emerging from the blanket, since this was what he had assumed back then. „Met Balinor. Briefly...”

“You...”, she gasped and turned to him. Looked at him. In shock. “You met him?”

“Yes. While ago. Was the last Dragonlord. Barely exchanged a few sentences with him... He learned, I was his, as he passed...”, he told her.

“And... How...?”

“He smiled. I think he saw you in me for a brief second...”

“I... I see... So you know?”, she whispered. Tears in her eyes.

“That he was my father?”

“That he was my alpha. Well, had been...”, she said, in a very small voice.

“Your...?”

“He was mine from the start. I was his. We knew when our eyes met. He only stayed a short while. But it had been enough. I...”, she whispered. Blushed. “I never went into heat. Not once in my life. I never smelled an alpha’s scent. None, but his. And yet, though I never turned out a proper omega, when he went into his rut, I went with him and... Well, I conceived...”

Merlin just nodded. This was new. But he could feel the pain his mother felt, speaking of it.

“He was not my mate. We never bonded, but when he left, I felt like a part of myself left with him. I felt like dying. Like I could not go on. Only when I learned, I was with child, I pushed myself to go on. Because you were there  and I couldn’t ever harm you, my beautiful child...”, she whispered, tears running down her cheeks. While gently touching his face.

“I will not harm my child...”, Merlin replied. Because he had to.

“I know. I know how you feel, my love. But you need to stay healthy, okay? You need to take care...”

He nodded. “I will. It’s okay. I will...”, he sighed and then emerged from his blanket, enough to wrap his arms around his crying mother. To cuddle her. And then, they cried together. For different reasons. They both grieved the love of their life, feeling for once, exactly how the other was feeling. Understanding.

And then, much later, they both actually had dinner. And then went to sleep, and while nothing actually had changed, Merlin had to admit, he felt understood. At least a little. And he felt, like he had understood something crucial about his mother.

Summer was still hot, but it had rained during the night, so her vegetables had gotten the desperately needed water. Now, that the heat of the midday had passed, she was kneeling in the patch, plucking weeds. A task, she had neglected during the past days. Merlin lay curled together him his bed, once again, but she had the feeling, he was making progress.

Things would get easier. Not less painful, but he would get used to the aching in his chest. To the sadness. She knew this, by heart. Because she had grieved the loss of her love for so long. Some day, he would be able to move on. To smile for his child. Find happiness in the baby’s smile.

And maybe one day, he would share, what had happened. Why he fled Camelot. Why he returned. Or maybe not. Which was just as fine. She would be there for him and her grandchild, nonetheless.

She looked up, as she heard a horse approaching. Which did not happen very often. Because there were not many horses here in Ealdor. Too expensive. They mostly relied on oxen and donkeys for the work on the fields. So of course this would draw attention.

The rider saw her, approached her in a hurry and dismounted, while stilling the horse. He seemed rushed. Wearing a simple shirt and breeches, a sword at his side. He hurried towards her, fixating her with his gaze.

“Hunith!”, he called out loud. And she recognised the young man. And her eyes widened, as she got up, hurriedly cleaning her dress and hands, because she obviously was dirty from the work.

“Arthur, what are you doing here?”, she wanted to know. Not sure, how to react to the prince of Camelot. Her son’s friend. Or whatever he was. She had her suspicions, but who was she to assume?

“I am looking for Merlin. Please tell me, he’s here”, he told her, worry in his eyes. He seemed tired. Thin. His unusually simple clothes showed signs of dirt and sweat. His hair was a mess.

“Why are you looking for my son?”, she wanted to know, looking him up and down, crossing the arms in front of her chest.

“I.. I...”, he stammered, not sure, how to reply. He had not exactly thought that far. He had played the scene in his head a million times on the ride to Ealdor, had apologised in thousand different ways, had kneeled and begged his omega, but Hunith questioning his motives had not exactly been a possible scenario in his mind.

“You can imagine, that I don’t wish for him to get harmed in any possible way, I guess?”, she told him, raising an eyebrow.

“Of course! Neither do I! Please, tell me, if he’s with you. I need to know, that he’s at least save!”, Arthur told her, almost begged her, because he really needed to know! Even if – for whatever reason – Merlin refused, to return, he at least needed to know, his omega was somewhere save.

He realised, he had completely pushed away the possibility, that Merlin would not be here. That he would have gone somewhere else. Where else? To the druids? Were there any other people, Merlin could trust? Fuck, where could he be, if not here!? He panicked, at the sudden realisation.

“Arthur, are you alright?”, she asked, observing the whirlwind of emotions in his eyes.

“Please. Say, he’s here. He has to be save...”, he begged, voice barely more that a whisper,  because... He had to be here!

“You must really worry about him...”

“I, he... Yes. His safety is my first priority. He’s my everything...”, he admitted to her. Because he needed to hear, his omega was save. He lowered his gaze. Waiting. Because there was nothing else, he could do. He was at her mercy.

“You care for him?”, she wanted to know, arms still crossed.

And he nodded. “Please...”, he whispered.

“I don’t think, he’d want to see you... If he doesn’t, you need to leave. Understood? If you hurt my baby, I will case you off my property. And if you get hurt, it won’t be my fault!”, she told him with an intimidating glare, holding her rake like a weapon.

“Yes, Ma’am!”, he replied immediately. Nodded. Not yet daring to look up again. But hope started filling his chest. That sounded, like he was here. Like his omega was at least safe!

“Good. Come.” She nodded and turned around, leading him to her door. He followed. Silently. He had respect for the woman. The mother who had raised Merlin all on her own. Had taught him everything, made him the man he had become. The grandmother of their pup.

She opened the door a bit and peeked inside. “Honey, are you awake?”, she asked in a gentle voice. Arthur stood behind her. Waited. Suddenly his heart was hammering in his chest. There he was, his Merlin. He could smell him. Only faintly, but he was sure, it had to be him.

“I’ve eaten already....”, was the reply. Followed by some ruffling of fabrics.

“I know. Here’s someone to visit you...”, Hunith told him in a very gentle voice.

“Don’t wanna. Send them away...”

“I don’t think, I have the authority to...”, she said, then stepped back, opened the door wider and gestured for Arthur to enter the small house. The hut.

He swallowed. Then stepped inside. Looked around, to find a bundle of blankets on a mattress. And coughed, to get the bundle’s attention, as the door shut behind him. Hunith granting them privacy.

“Get lost...”, was the answer he got.

“You really expect me to leave, without you?”, Arthur asked. And suddenly he throat was so very dry. He could hardly force the words out. To mask his insecurity, he leaned against the wall, crossing his arms, trying to look nonchalant. Like him being here was not a big deal. Just usual royal daily business.

“Arthur?!”, Merlin asked, head emerging from the blanket. Blinking in surprise. “What do you want?”, he then added, forcing the twitching corners of his mouth down.

“You.”

“Prat...”, the sorcerer grumbled, glared at him.

“Your prat”, Arthur suggested. With an almost shy smile.

“Go back...”

“I’m here to fetch you.”

“Didn’t ask you to come. I left, Arthur. Maybe, you should work on getting hints?”

“I didn’t allow that. Come back.”

“No. I don’t give a damn about what you allow...”

“I know. But... Come back. Please?”, the prince asked. Now more honest.

“No. I can’t.”

“Why?”

“Do I really need to point out, why exactly this is a stupid idea?!”

“Might help?”

“You’re the fucking crown prince of Camelot! You’re supposed to become the king! You need to unite Albion and become the once and future king. You’ll need to marry an appropriate omega and have a suitable heir. Soon. Just in case, you have forgotten. There’s no place for THIS” Merlin pointed at himself, then at Arthur. “No place for me and all. I can’t come back. Not like that!”

“What do you want?”

“What?!”

“What do you want me to do, so you’ll come back?”, the prince wanted to know, death serious.

“You... What?”

“You want me to tell my father? Okay. I’ll give up the crown. My title. No problem. Just say the word. If that’s your reason, we can work on that”, he told him. Still so very serious.

“Eh?! What?!”, Merlin made, looking at him, like he had finally snapped. Completely lost his mind. Because... That was the only explanation for THIS!

“I don’t care, what my farther thinks. I’ll give up all of it, if it means, I can have you. Be with you. If you let me, I mean. Can’t own you, can I? Just wanna be with you”, Arthur explained. Sighed. Then closed his eyes, slammed the back of his head against the wall and sighed again. “I need you. Can’t stay in Camelot, if you aren’t there...”, he admitted. Scolding himself internally for his possessiveness.

“Arthur...”, Merlin whispered shook his head. And finally got up. Out of the protective blankets. “You’re an absolute idiot, you know?”

“Possibly...”

“You wouldn’t really give up the crown for... For me?”

“For us...”, the prince corrected him, eyes still closed, head tilted up. The back of his head hurt. But he deserved that, he supposed. Because he was an idiot.

“You can’t do that...”, Merlin told him.

“I would!”

“I know. The really and absolutely worst thing about all of this is, that I know. And we both know, it’s absolutely stupid! Insane! You’re an idiot! The most stupid prince of all times!”, he accused his alpha, stepping closer. “And a cocky prat! You moron! Clodpole!”, he told him, now standing directly in front of him. “Coming here was your worst idea ever. And this means a lot, considering your talent to just jump into life-threatening situations without any plan!”

“I have a plan!”, the prince announced.

“Which would be?”

“Taking you back to Camelot, make sure, you get some rest, proper meals and no reason to ever run away again. Then I’ll take care of things...”

“Take care of things?”, Merlin repeated, one eyebrow raised, now only centimetres away.

“Take care of things...”

“And what would ‘taking care of things’ include? What’s the genius war strategist’s plan?”, he wanted to know, so close, he could feel his breath, smell his scent. His alpha pheromones.

“Keeping you save in my chambers. And make sure, you can safely have our child...”

“Our child...”, he repeated. He liked, how that sounded. Sighed. Apparently Arthur did not have a plan at all. But... He could not help it. Felt himself giving in already. Because Arthur, that absolute idiot, was here! For him. And he wanted their child. He... Fuck, he was sweet. Merlin found him incredibly sweet. Charming. Endearing. Fuck, he loved him!

“Didn’t expect to father a child that soon, but... I love it. I somehow love the idea. You having my child in you. Our child...”, the blonde told him, still not moving. Waiting. Hoping. Feeling his omega so close. And hoped, he would pass whichever test Merlin was putting him through.

“If I wanted to be unreasonable, how far would you go?”, the sorcerer whispered. Because he had to know. For way too selfish reasons.

“Way too far, I fear...”

“If I wanted to bond, would you allow it?”

Arthur swallowed. Bit his tongue. Fuck, he had not expected that. This hurt. “You... Are not my property. I don’t own you. So if you wanted to bond with whichever alpha, I could hardly stop you, just... Don’t go?”, he forced out, voice breaking. Because fuck, that really hurt. And it would hurt even more, to watch him, them – whoever that alpha would be. But not being able to see him would hurt way more. So he would have to bear with that. If that meant, he could at least have him back as a friend. Would accept whichever alpha by Merlin’s side.

“You really are an idiot...”, Merlin sighed. And leaned in. Closed the distance between them and pressed a chaste kiss on his lips. “I wouldn’t bond with anyone but you, clodpole...”, he chuckled.

And this finally caused the prince, to open his eyes. Stare at him. In disbelief. “You want...”

“Shit, I’m carrying your child, Arthur. You’re the only alpha, I actually want to touch. Do you really think, I’d bond with anyone, but you?”, Merlin huffed, shaking his head, having no idea how Arthur would have come to assume this.

“You want to bond with me?”, Arthur whispered. Taking a deep breath. Inhaling his pheromones. Feeling him so close. And... He knew, it would be unreasonable. Final. But if his omega wanted it, he would. Well, it was what his alpha had been screaming for, for months. With every bite on his neck he had wandered on the edge. Had battled the urge to draw blood, to properly mark, claim, bond.  And now...

“Would want that. Won’t make it a condition, though, but...”

“I would. Here? Now?”, were the only two questions he had. Because if his omega wanted this, was not opposed, he would.

“You really wouldn’t mind, idiot...”, Merlin noted, shaking his head. Then he kissed his lips again. Gently. Softly.

“Come back. Stay with me. Please....”, Arthur whispered against his lips. “Please…”

“You’re the most unreasonable idiot ever… You’re throwing so much away just to chase a peasant like me… You know that this isn’t supposed to work out… You deserve so much better…”, the omega told him, kissed him again. “You shouldn’t, you definitely shouldn’t…”

“I want… I want you Merlin….”

“Do I even want to know, what mess you left in the citadel, when coming here?”, he asked between soft kisses.

“No mess… Had a plan…”

“The good kind of plan or the ‘I’ll ride out and see how things go’ kind of plan?”, he wanted to know, stealing more kisses.

“My father knows, I’m on the eastern border with a few knights”, Arthur told him. Enjoying the proximity. The gentle kisses.

“Hm… Close to true… Don’t see any knights and you crossed the border of Camelot…”, Merlin mumbled against his lips.

“They are chasing bandits is the villages close to the border… We’ll join them…”

“In case I want to go…”

“Tell me, you want…”

“Hmm… I should not… Definitely not… I shouldn’t want that…”, he told his prince, while leaning even closer.

“But you do?”, the prince asked, hopeful.

“I’ve been dying without you…”, his servant admitted. And then, finally, gave in completely,  pressed his body against his alpha’s chest. Opened his mouth invitingly.

“Hmmm...”, Arthur made, before he pushed forward, accepting. Searching for his eager tongue, and fuck, had he missed it! Missed him! Missed his touch! Carefully he raised his arms and wrapped them around him, sighing into their kiss, out of pure bliss, relive, because Merlin was there. Again. Had missed him, too.

The sorcerer kissed him back, held on to him, fingers digging into the fabric of his shirt, and then, after they had to stop, to catch a breath, he smiled at him.  They both smiled at each other.

“Feels better…”, the blonde sighed, hand caressing his cheek. “So much better, when you’re with me…”, he told him.

“Fuck, Arthur…”, Merlin growled, then he grabbed his lapels and shoved him over, pushed him onto his makeshift mattress in one single unceremonious movement, that might have involved a tiny bit of magic. Then straddled his thighs and kissed him again. “You’re an absolute… Idiot… Hate you…”, he panted between kisses, shivering, as his prince’s hand started moving, stroking his back, pressing him closer.

“Hmm… I see…”, Arthur mumbled, not believing a word, as he hungrily licked into his willing mouth. Now very eager for whatever his omega was up to. He felt so happy, so relieved! After the long phase of worry, of anxiety he was finally able to relax. To concentrate on his omega, his scent, his warmth, his touch… It was endearing, dizzying… So very… comforting… He felt himself relax. All the tension leaving his body… He was happy, so fucking happy…

Chapter Text

He opened the door of the small house and stepped outside, into the warm evening sun. Blinked and stretched.

“You look a lot better…”, Hunith told him, getting up from her kneeling position in the vegetable patch. She smiled at him, face covered with dirt from wiping the sweat off her forehead with dirty fingers.

“You think?”, he asked, barely hiding a grin. Well, he felt better, so much better. Though he had been a little disappointed…

“Oh, definitely. Did you make up?”, she asked, in a knowing way, like only mothers could.

“Well… Kinda… I think…”, Merlin mumbled, face reddening. He decidedly did not look into her eyes. Well, the carrots were nice to look at, too. Very… Carroty.

“I see… So? I assume, you’ll go back home now?”, she wanted to know.

“Home?”

“Back to Camelot. He came, just to see you. He must care for you a lot…”

“He does… I think…”, a blushing sorcerer told his mother. Still staring at the ground in front of him.

“Good. It’s good, that he does…”

“I… Want to go. But I don’t know, if it’s a good idea… I mean… I guess, you figured, what’s going on?”, he mumbled. And she nodded in her oh so gentle, understanding way.

“Ask yourself. What does your heart desire, my dear son?”, she smiled at him.

“My heart wants him. I want him. But it’s stupid. It won’t work out. I can’t just be his mistress or something, but at the same time, he can’t really marry me. He said, he’d give up the throne, give up Camelot and everything, but I can’t have him do that. Ever. He has to become the greatest of all kings. And... I see him there. I want him there. It’s complicated, you see?”, he tried to explain, but was not able to even phrase half of what was actually going on in his head.

“I see. But I think, you’ll work things out... You’ll manage...”, she told him with a smile, bright, but she could not completely hide the sadness that was lying underneath. “You should be happy...”, she added looking past him, into the distance.

“Hm... He’s the prince, mother... He’s king Uther’s only son. This will be...”

“Merlin?”, she interrupted him, now looking him straight in the eyes. Determined. “Don’t let Uther destroy your happiness as well. You deserve to be with your soulmate...”, she whispered intensely. And now, after he had learnt, what had happened before his birth, he understood. Knew, what she meant. How she had suffered. How much she must still love that man, Balinor. His father. Her alpha.

“I... I have no idea, how to make this work...”, he whispered back, shaking his head. “I just know, I want to....”

“You love him...”, she smiled. And then pulled him into her arms and hugged him. Because, he was her everything. All, she ever had. Her only family.

And Merlin hugged her back.

“Where is your alpha, by the way?”, she asked, while the sun coloured the sky deep red. And finally let go.

“Fallen asleep...”, he mumbled, blushing slightly.

“Fallen asleep? Oh my, he must have been really tired, after that much stress. He looked, like he had not slept in days! And so thin. I’ll make sure, he gets a proper meal, when he wakes up!”, she decided, with a giggle, after watching her son. Mildly amused.

“Don’t laugh...”, Merlin pouted. Because he was quite certain, she knew, how he must have fallen asleep. Or during what. Which was embarrassing! He did not want his mother to know! Though, they both were well aware, where that baby had come from. After all, she had given him all the birds and bees talk, there had been to give.

“I won’t. Is he on your bed? Will we need another one? It’s been so long, since we had visitors...”, she asked, with mild worry.

“I’ll squeeze myself next to him. Have slept too much in the last few days, anyway... Don’t bother”, he told her, waving things off.

“Fine. You’ll be comfortable with him...”, she smiled.

When Arthur opened his eyes, he could not move. His body hurt. Something heavy was lying on top of him. He needed a moment, to recognise, where he was and what that was. That thing, half lying on him. The scent helped, relaxing him, otherwise he might have tried to shove that thing off. But so his subconsciousness provided, that this thing was his omega, his Merlin, close to him. And that was good. Though it was far from comfortable. He had the feeling, the mattress under him was rock hard. And way too small.

“Urgh.”, he made to voice his discomfort, staring up, at the ceiling. Barely able to move his head, because his neck was occupied by a dark shock of hair.

“Hm?”, was the answer and Merlin started moving. Head raising, blinking. He was lying half on top of him, leg between Arthur’s, arms around him.

“You’re heavy...”, the prince complained in a raspy voice. Still a little sleepy.

“You’re the one, forcing me to eat all the time, stop complaining...”, the sorcerer mumbled and yawned.

“I can complain all I like. I’m your prince. So would you, kindly, get off me, now? I can’t feel my legs...”

“Hm... Don’t wanna, you’re comfortable...”

“Mer~lin?”, Arthur grumbled, trying to shove him off, but carefully, to not actually push him off the mattress. Because, well, fuck. Merlin was pregnant. Merlin. Was. Carrying. His. Child!

“Okay, okay, give me a moment...”, the omega sighed and started moving. Carefully disentangled himself from their bed and sat next to him, stretching. Arthur did the same, now that a heavy weight had been removed from his chest. In the more literal sense.

“What time’s it?”, he asked, head turning to his servant.

“Hmmm?”, Merlin made, looking for the window, trying to guess the time.

“Time for breakfast, boys”, Hunith answered the question more precisely. She was already up, cutting a loaf of bread. Smiling at them.

And Arthur blushed at the realisation of how all of this must look to her. To Merlin’s mother! Fuck, her son had been sleeping on top of him, right after they had... They... Oh. He did not quite remember. They had been kissing and touching and then things had become a bit blurry. He... He had fallen asleep at some point, he realised. This was a more than compromising situation.

“Oh, yeah, err, sorry... Err...”, he mumbled, not sure, how to face her. She must have realised, what they had... Oh, no! His, his – what was Merlin to him, by the way? – his omega’s mother had seen them cuddle in their sleep! Had probably slept only metres away!

“Never mind, just get up and eat. You’ll both need the energy. I guess, you’ll ride off today?”, she smiled in her so very gentle and motherly way.

“Do you really want to get rid of me that fast?”, Merlin mumbled, walking over to her, to kiss her cheek.

“Never, but I assume, Arthur can’t stay too long?”, she said.

“Well, I wouldn’t make you hurry, but...”, the prince shrugged at him.

“Ah, yeah, there are some knights waiting for us, I guess?”, Merlin remembered.

“Some very angry knights who might attempt a coup d’état, if I return without you...”

“So, Lance and Gwaine are there, I assume? Did they all come?”

“Not all of them. But you’re right. And Percival’s there too...”

“Babysitting them, I assume?”

“Why do you know me so well?”, Arthur sighed, fondly.

“How long have I been putting up with you, again? Three years? Four? Can’t even remember... So, of course I now!”, Merlin grinned back at him, while they ate, what Hunith served them. He would not tell his alpha, that he knew very well how long he had been with him already. That he had been counting. For several reasons.

“Of course...”, the blonde agreed.

“Oh, Merlin, I forgot to get some water, could you...?”, Hunith suddenly remembered, and without taking his eyes off Arthur, he just waved his hand and mumbled a few words. The pitcher on the table filled itself.

“Oh, yeah, there’s a problem, though....”, he then remembered, while eating, not noticing his mother’s wide eyed stare at the open use of magic in front of Uther Pendragon’s son!

“And that would be?”, Arthur Pendragon asked.

“The horse I’ve come with. I might have used a kinda dangerous spell... It’s too exhausted to ride on for at least another week”, the sorcerer told him with an apologetic look. Addressing the use of magic so very casually!

“I see. Then we’ll leave it here. Can be a present for your mother. A compensation for our sudden intrusion? You can ride back on mine”, Arthur said, finally looking at Hunith, to confirm the matter with her. Noticing her confused look. “Everything alright? I mean, you don’t have to accept, we’ll find another solution...”

“You know about... His magic?”, she interrupted him in a hushed voice. Like the sole mention of it could be dangerous. Which it probably was. Given his father’s way to deal with magic and stuff...

“I do”, he confirmed. Placing a hand on Merlin’s. “I’ll make sure, he’s safe, okay?”

“I... See...”, she mumbled. Nodded. Well, this was good news, was it not? That boy knew, who her son actually was and accepted him. Apparently. Because he did not make a big deal out of it. “Well, yes, I... I’ll accept the horse. As compensation for your stay. Not as bride price, I hope we got that right. I’m not gonna trade my precious boy for a horse!”, she then added. Eyeing Arthur suspiciously.

“Of course! Didn’t expect that! I’ll make sure to compensate you properly for this! Just say, what you want. I’ll make sure, you’ll get it, as soon as I’m back home. Everything, anything. He’s invaluable”, Arthur nodded immediately. Clearly taken off guard, but  he would make sure the mother of his omega would get whatever her heart desired.

“Oh no, you won’t be able to buy my blessing on this matter. Just take him and make sure, he’s happy. Got that, young man?”, she told him, staring daggers at him. And he really, really did not want to start a fight with her.

“Yes, yes, of course!”, he just nodded, stiffly. And then Merlin laughed. Wholeheartedly and happy like he had not done for a while. And he could not help, but look at him, like the meant the world to him. Which... He did. Merlin was his world. Fuck. He was so utterly and completely gone for him.

After breakfast, Hunith forced some vegetables and bread on them, before she finally allowed them to leave. They both bid their farewell and then rode off on Arthur’s horse. Merlin, this time, riding in his lap, instead of behind him, because the alpha had voiced his worries, that he might fall off and hurt himself and their unborn child. And Merlin had tried to argue back, tell him, he was an idiot, but had in the end just given in. And so he was sitting in the saddle, in front of Arthur, as the rode back, into the territory of Camelot. Luckily without encountering anyone at all.

And only a few hours later, they actually reunited with the knights. Lancelot and Gwaine dismounted, as soon as they saw their prince approaching and ran the last few metres towards them, greeting their favourite manservant slash mascot of all times.

Arthur stilled the horse and let Merlin climb off, before he dismounted himself, while his omega greeted his friends with hugs, smiling brightly.

“Fuck, are you really...?”, Lancelot asked after exchanging a few words, pointed at his lower body.

“Watch your manners, Lance!”, Percival scolded him, standing a step behind him.

“It’s fine. Really...”, Merlin replied, then nodded. “Well, yes. I’m pretty sure, actually... Now that I know, I can actually feel it move around sometimes”, he explained, placing a hand onto his belly, right under his bellybutton.

“Well, no wonder, you’ve gotten more, more, err... More Merlin!”, Gwaine said, trying to not call their pregnant friend chubby. Which he was not. Had never been! Just, in the last few months, he had gained some weight. Not much. Just some more mass around his butt and belly. His breeches were still fitting! He just had to tie the laces a tiny bit more loosely, thank you very much!

“Hey! Stop teasing! I’m not fat!”, Merlin pouted. “And if, it would be his fault. He’s making me eat, ever since we... Oh, err... For a while now...”, he added, then realised that his prince’s newly found habits correlated with his pregnancy shockingly well. And just shut up, glaring at Arthur, because he could.

“I didn’t force you!”, his alpha just replied, taking a moment to catch on with Merlin’s thought process. “Oh...”, he then added, calculating when he had started making sure, his omega eats properly. “Well, maybe my alpha has known? Or hoped....?”, he suggested to him.

“Hm... Probably. But that doesn’t mean, you can make me eat tons of stuff!”,

“You like it, when I give you sweets...”

“Everyone loves sweets... Also, the candied fruits you get, are way better, than what is sold on the market...”

“Oj, so our prince gets special candy? That’s not fair!”, Gwaine complained. “Wanna try them, too!”

“Wouldn’t mind some good candy, either...”, Lancelot agreed, with a smirk.

“Hey, princess, mind getting us all some candy, when we’re back? Just to make sure, we’ll behave? Would keep our morals up...”, Gwaine suggested.

“Gwaine?”, Percival scolded him, placing a hand on his shoulder. “Why don’t you fetch us some snacks, when you’re that hungry, already?”

“Hmpf, fine. As long as Merlin doesn’t cook...”, the knight huffed, but smirked at the sorcerer, then turned and went to his horse’s saddle bag.

“Hey! I can cook! At least the basics!”, the omega complained with a pout.

“Yeah, yeah. Eat something, then we’ll ride off. Perce, did you encounter any bandits, yet?”, Arthur smiled, stroking his shoulder. Not minding the other alphas’ presence. Openly showing his affection.

“Oh, yes, my prince. In fact it were three groups we encountered and defeated. Those who survived were handed to the villages leaders. They were very grateful. Gave us some food in return. Said, they will send message to your father to thank him for his help”, Percival explained, while Gwaine and Lancelot passed around some food.

“We were very impressive. They loved us!”, Gwaine added smiling brightly.

“Don’t worry, they’ll remember! One of us always had your things on”, Lancelot told his prince.

“Ah, so you remembered. Great. I guess, I’ll have to change after this... Then we’ll ride back to the citadel!”, Arthur nodded.

They all agreed. Then ate. And after that, Merlin put on Arthur’s armour and red surcoat with the Pendragon insignia, he had not worn in months, since he usually just put it on, on formal occasions these days. But for obvious reasons they had wanted the prince to be recognisable this time.

Then they rode. Off, to Camelot, to the citadel. Merlin held close by his prince, like the greatest treasure to keep.

When they rode into the citadel two nights later, people greeted them, as usually. Soon more people were coming, since word got around and they all dismounted. Greeted them, entrusted the horses to the groom and his stable boys and waved at Leon and Elyan, stepping out, towards them.

This time their arrival did not deem the king’s appearance necessary, so they just separated – the three knights going with their friends, Arthur and Merlin to their chambers –  and got changed, before the prince would report to his father.

“Phew!”, the blonde sighed, as soon as the door locked behind him and pulled his manservant in to a close embrace. Buried his face in his neck and inhaled his scent. He had refrained from doing so, as they had ridden, for obvious reasons. Because riding in full plate with a half-hard prick was far from comfortable. He knew from experience by now.

“Hmm… You should report to your father…”, Merlin mumbled, baring his neck, so he could access the sensitive skin better.

“Hmm… Just a moment…”

“Shall I undress you?”, he asked, inhaling his alpha scent. Visibly more relaxed, since the day Arthur had shown up in Ealdor. Since he was around again.

“Would love that…”, Arthur mumbled. Knowing that he would love to do all kinds of things that involved undressing. But as usual, they would not have time for that. Sadly. They had not had time for anything like that at all and when he had had his chance, he had fallen asleep. He was an idiot!

“Not what you’re thinking of, dirty alpha… But we can file that away for later, when we have the time, hm?”, Merlin almost purred against him, before gently entangling himself, in order to untie his laces.

“Sounds lovely…”, Arthur mumbled, voice rough. Oh yes, that sounded very lovely. He could not wait for this, in fact. Just wanted to get rid of all his duties for the day and then jump right into bed with his omega… That meant, if Merlin wanted to, of course. Otherwise he would find other ways to be close to him. Definitely.

“Arms up. Yeah, that’s a good alpha…”, the sorcerer purred, as he took off one part after another, while gently touching the skin underneath. Pressing his lips to it every now and then. This whole procedure, dearly missed, was as intimate as never before. Both enjoying the act.

“Merlin…”, the alpha whispered, breath hitched, at the treatment, at his omega’s praise.

“Hmm?”, said omega hummed against the back of his neck, now standing behind him. Very close.

“Stop teasing…”

“Wouldn’t ever… Especially not, when you’re so good for me… So obedient…”, he glared mischievously, turning his prince around to him, to kneel in front of him. To unlace his boots, of course.

“Mer~lin....”, Arthur growled, voice low and dangerous. And so very aroused. Merlin was teasing him on purpose!

“Yes, Sire?”, the sorcerer whispered, looking up to him, stilling in his movement, one boot on his knee. His eyes gave away, what he was thinking, how aroused he was himself, now that they were in the safety of their room. He licked his lips, absent-mindedly.

“Fuck... That’s not fair...”, the prince found closing his eyes for a moment to try and take a deep breath.

“What’s not fair? I’m just undressing you. As it’s my job....”, Merlin sweet-talked him, taking off one boot, starting to unlace the other.

“You’re absolutely impossible....”, Arthur sighed. “But if you insist on doing your job, why don’t you clean me up, after you’re done here, hm?”, he suggested, restraining himself, because he really wanted to take the omega, push him onto the bed and ravish him in the best possible way. Which did not work right now. Because he really wanted to take his time with Merlin, enjoy every second. And not just have something fast and meaningless shoved in between appointments. Not like that.

“If you insist... Want me to pour you a bath, or shall I just wipe you clean?”

“It’s still so fucking hot outside. I don’t feel like bathing...”, he said with a look out of the window.

“I see. Then I’ll get a wet cloth. Any specific wishes for your choice of clothing, when you visit the king?”, the servant wanted to know, casually, while taking off his trousers, then kneeling in front of his completely naked prince. Admiring the sight and barely hiding his interest.

“Choose, what you see fit. So, clean me up”, the blonde said, not really uncomfortable under his gaze. And was almost sad, as Merlin stood up with a nod, went to his wardrobe, to choose a set of clothing and then returned to him with a basin filled with water and a washcloth, placed both on the table beside him and took a deep breath.

“Like, what you see?”, Arthur asked, dick twitching interestedly, but still mostly soft. Mostly. Because somewhere in the back of his mind his father and Gaius were dancing in their underwear in front of the whole court. Otherwise, he would definitely be at Merlin this very moment and be more than just a little interested.

“Your ego definitely doesn’t need another push... But yes, if you want to know it that desperately, I do like the view...”, the sorcerer smirked, took the wet cloth and rubbed it over his face teasingly.

“Hey! Stop that!”, the prince complained, trying to move his face away from the assault with the dripping wet cloth.

“Your face is all sweaty, your Highness...”, Merlin told him in a sweet voice, but resumed to cleaning other areas. He rubbed over his neck with the cloth at first, dwelling in the view of Arthur, eyes closed, tiling his head, baring his neck to him.

“Hmm....”, the alpha sighed. Enjoying the slightly cool water dripping down his skin now, as his servant cleaned him. Fuck, they should do this more often. When they had all the time in the world. Then he would wipe every centimetre of Merlin’s body in return, would touch and caress his skin. Would kiss it and lick it and nibble it. Argh, fuck. He was really getting hard.

“When we’re alone...”, Merlin whispered, cleaning his chest and lower, circling his belly button. “Then I’ll kneel in front of my prince... I’ll not only clean you, but want to taste you, as well. I would take very good care of you...”, he told him, grabbing his penis with the cloth. Cleaning the quickly hardening member sloppily. More teasing than actually doing his job.

“Would you?”, Arthur growled, voice low. His alpha approved. Approved so very much.

“Hmm...”, the omega hummed, spreading his legs apart, to get the cloth between them to clean his scrotum properly. “Whichever way you’d like... I could suck you off or we could resume, what we had tried that once... Still haven’t forgotten your promise, you know?”, he told him, cleaning the space between his butt cheeks getting rid of every drop of sweat caught there.

“Haven’t you?”, the prince mumbled, now definitely fully erect. Imagining, what Merlin was telling him.

“No... In fact, I’m really looking forward to return the favour...”, Merlin whispered, while wiping down his legs.

And the prince took a moment to understand his words. In fact, he did not really understand the meaning at all. “Hm?”, he wanted to know, as his servant got up, to stand behind him, wiping his back, not paying his hard shaft any attention at all.

“Don’t you remember? You popped my cherry, would only be fair, if you’d let me...”, Merlin whispered into his ear, again teasing the crack of his butt.

“Holy shit!”, Arthur groaned, head tilting back, against his omega’s shoulder, panting heavily. “Don’t say things like that, we... We don’t have the...”, he tried to cling to the last bit of reason, not yet completely overthrown by pure lust.

“We don’t have the time, I know.... So, there you go, all nice and clean”, the servant told him, stepping back abruptly and mumbling something under his breath, before Arthur was not only fully clean, but also dressed, hardness tucked away safely inside his pants.

He took a deep breath. Focussing. And maybe his father and Gaius played a role in his meditation as well...

“There, all done. And off you go...”, Merlin told him, now standing in front of him, smiling at him, ignoring his own, clearly visible lust.

“Off we go, Merlin...”, Arthur corrected. Opening his eyes again, now more focused. He had to get himself together, before seeing his father! This was all Merlin’s fault for teasing him! How dare he being so hot? Such a tease!

“We?”

“Of course, you’re my manservant. Get ready, you’ll come with me”, he smiled.

“No!”, Merlin replied, smile vanishing. He tried to subtly adjust his groin. Which was not very subtle at all. Not only Arthur had been affected by their little game they had played, but Merlin could not think about that now!

“Of course. You’re mine and I’ll make sure, everyone gets reminded. They haven’t seen you in the castle too long...”, the prince said, not completely suppressing his possessiveness. Because he was pent up and his omega was so close and he was his and had his baby and, and... There were so many reasons.

“So you want to parade me around the castle?”, Merlin asked, not sure, where this was going. Maybe going a little pale, because he did not like the way, this was going.

“I want you close. By my side. And, well... When I’m suffering, you’re not gonna use your alone time here, in the chambers to take things in hand...”, the alpha grinned, eyeing his crotch.

“Oh, that’s where this is coming from? Prat!”, the omega huffed, almost relieved. Because... Yes, he was still all hot and horny, but for a moment he had actually feared, Arthur would bring him to his father as his... As his bride, his omega, his whatever. And though this was where things might lead, he was definitely not ready for this! Not now, that they had just come back! There was still chaos in his head! This whole situation was still a mess! And also... They had not properly discussed the bonding. The...

“Are you alright?”, Arthur wanted to know, watching the change of expressions on his servant’s face. His teasing tone had given in to a slight worry. Where was Merlin’s mind going?

“I... I, yeah, I’m fine... Just...”

“Just?”

“Thought, you’d just take me there and tell your father... Things...”, the dark-haired mumbled, not meeting his eyes.

“Do you want me to?”

“NO!”, he exclaimed, before he go a hold of himself. “I mean, I... I’m not ready for this...”, he then admitted, less panicked but arousal had completely given  away to anxiety.

“I know. I see. No, never. I wouldn’t just drag you to the king and tell him, you’re mine. Hell, I’d love to just do that, parade you in front of everyone here in Camelot, tell them you’re my omega, that you’re carrying my child. But I wouldn’t ever, never ever just do this without you. I’d talk things through with you. Would definitely want you in on this!”, Arthur assured him, stepping closer, taking him into his arms. Gently. Passion not completely gone, but his omega needed him! So his alpha mind was now occupied with soothing him. With making sure, he felt safe.

“Oh. I see... So... You still want me to come?”, Merlin mumbled against his shoulder.

“As my loyal servant. Would like to have you with me, when lying straight my father’s face...”, Arthur told him.

“Hm, fine. But don’t scare me like that again...”

He just nodded. Then let go of his servant. Looked at him. “Could you also change?”, he told him then. Not an order, not a demand, just a request.

“Yes, yes....”

As Arthur entered the room, Uther was already sitting on his throne, obviously waiting. Morgana stood next to him. She had insisted on being there, too, telling her father, she wanted to know about her brother’s duties, while she actually was trying to make sure, Merlin would be safe. She had sweet-talked Uther in the last days, telling him subtly, how dangerous bandits were and how they needed to keep the land safe, but had had the feeling, the king had not really listened, mind otherwise occupied.

The whole report actually went surprisingly smooth. The king did hardly ask any questions  nodded to his son telling him about the defeated groups and how thankful the villagers had been. Did not mention a word about his manservant or why he had ridden into Camelot with him, as the king did not address this matter, if he even was aware or cared.

“Good, thank you, Arthur. You are dismissed for now. Just make sure, to stay in the citadel for the next few weeks...”, Uther nodded, as his son came to an end.

“I see, yes, my king. May I ask, why exactly I am to remain here?”, Arthur wanted to know politely.

“Did you forget about the tournament at the end of the month? We discussed the matter in the meeting you attended. I need you and your knights to train and make sure to win as many disciplines, as possible. This is a matter of honour. You had your fun with the bandits, now you’ll need to represent Camelot to whole Albion, as the crown prince... Well, at least to our neighbouring kingdoms. I have not had word from everyone yet...”, Uther informed him.

“Yes, of course, I remember, father. Camelot is supposed to hold the big tournament this year. That’s why we haven’t had one so far, to prepare for it”, Arthur in fact did remember, if only vaguely. During the meeting he had only been thinking about leaving as fast as possible.  He had to admit, he had not thought about anything trivial, as tournaments – usually one of his greatest passions – in five months, due to obvious reasons. He felt like an idiot for having forgotten.

At the mention of the tournament, Merlin, standing by the wall – as a good servant would –  exchanged a glance with Morgana, remembering the vision she had told him about, a while ago. She only seemed to remember just then, as well. 

“Good, that you remember. You see, I will lighten the paperwork you usually take care of, therefore you can intensify the training. Sir Leon and that dark guy already applied for the tournament. We are allowed to have six candidates enter, while the other kingdoms will only have five. Make sure to select the participants wisely. And don’t go easy on them in training!”, Uther told him. And just dismissed him. Just so. This was... Unexpected.

Uther really did not care! There was a prestige event upcoming and that was all he cared about. About his son’s role in this. His son’s success for the prestige of the kingdom. His personal matters did not... He did not care a bit!

And this made Merlin angry. He had not asked, how his son was, how he felt, did not want to know about their trip, had just asked for a report about the events and how they would benefit the kingdom. He really was an ass! He gritted his teeth, trying not to glare at the king, not to cause his alpha any trouble, but he loathed the king for acting like that! Did he really not care for his son, at all?!

“As you wish, my king!”, Arthur said with a bow, then stepped back and searched for Merlin’s gaze, noticed his troubled expression, could literally feel his anger and called out to him. “Merlin!”, he said, snapping him out of whatever he was thinking about and tilted his head in the direction of the door.

This, the sorcerer understood and left his place by the wall. Followed him out of the room and back, to his private chambers, without a word.

“What the hell was that?!”, he exclaimed, as soon as the door was locked. 

“What?!”

“Your father! He did not care! Not one little bit! Your whole absence did not even matter to him! You probably were suspicious as hell and he just didn’t even mind! He just cared about some stupid tournament! About your role! What you can do for Camelot!”, he raged, gesticulating wildly.

“Hey, hey, clam, Merlin....”, Arthur tried to soothe him.

“No! Definitely not! I knew, he was an ass, but that was so ignorant! How could he treat you this coldly?! Like he doesn’t love you at all! I know, it’s different with all your responsibilities and stuff, but you’re his son! Why doesn’t he care?!”, the sorcerer shouted. Ruffling his own hair. He was angry. So very angry at Uther! It literally hurt him how he had hurt his alpha!

“You know, it’s always been like that. He is how he is... Can’t show any weakness....”, Arthur defended his father, but somehow... He felt like he was just saying it, to calm Merlin. Because he did not want him to be this agitated. He did not want him to be angry in his place. Because he had overcome this ages ago. Knew, that his father would always be this cold... But right now he wanted to calm his agitated omega.

“You’re not a weakness! Loving you isn’t! You’re his only son! Can’t he at least care for you one little bit? Something a little more than ‘don’t die on me, you’re my heir’ or so?”

“I know, I know, Merlin. It’s okay. Calm. Take a breath. I feel loved, okay?”, he told him with a smile. And that actually brought the sorcerer to stop.

“You feel loved by, by this...”, he started in disbelief, blinking at him.

“I feel loved by you, moron. You’re angry on my behalf, over a thing that hasn’t changed in over twenty years and most likely won’t in the next...”, the prince said, stepping closer, using his surprise to wrap both arms around him and pull him in.  Hold him tight and bury his face in his neck, gently rubbing over his scent glands. Groaning satisfied. Because he could smell him now. His sweet, so very Merlin omega scent.

“Arthur....”, said omega mumbled, but gave in to his touch, enjoying it. Anger melting away, though he was filing away the reason for it for later. Just in case. Because he could not forgive Uther to not care about his son at all. Had never really before, but now, all of a sudden, this was really, really disturbing him. He could not get it out of his head. Now that he had been reminded about his mother’s deep and unconditional love for him. How she had lost someone really dear to her, only him left as a reminder. How she still made him feel her love.

So very unlike Uther., who had lost his love, in the same way, only a child as proof, she had even ever been there. And yet, the king did not seem to care about his son and his feelings at all. Only about his role, his worth for Camelot.  Which was so very sad. It made him sad. And angry.

And it made him want to love Arthur even more. To show him, that he really did. Well, the cat was out of the bag, anyway. He had pretty much demanded a bond and his alpha had been willing to do it just then and there. No matter, how stupid it would be.

“Should we continue  what we interrupted earlier?”, the prince mumbled against his neck and gently bit down, while sliding one hand down his lower back, resting in on his butt. Groping him possessively. And such, interrupting his thoughts in the best possible way.

“You’re an arrogant bastard...”, Merlin told him, but let the tip of his tongue slide over his earlobe. Because he was just as capable of distracting him, as vice versa. And... It felt good.

“And you love it...”, the alpha whispered, pressing his groin against his thigh. “Fuck, I’ve missed you so much... All of you... Even your stupid rages...”, he then admitted.

“Hmm... Missed you too, my alpha prat...”, Merlin told him with a suppressed moan.

“C’mere...”, Arthur said, pulling away slightly to kiss him. Passionately. Because he could. And because he did not give a fuck, that his father did not care. Merlin did. Merlin got angry for him. Though, it might just have been the hormones or whatever. He did not know much about pregnancies. Had never cared to learn. Which would change now, of course... As soon as they were done with this very tempting thing they were doing...

A knock on the door forced them to separate.

“Hm....”, the prince grumbled, reluctant to let go of his omega, still holding on, to his hips, while eyeing the door suspiciously.

“What?”, the dark-haired wanted to know, missing his lips. He wanted to go on. Wanted another kiss or twenty. Still a little defenceless after this breath-taking kiss.

“Who’s there?!”, Arthur wanted to know, holding him tight. Because maybe this could be solved without stopping. Without actually answering the door. Because now it was way too late to pretend, no one was there. That had been stupid...

“Let me in, idiot!”, was the very sweet and very polite reply of his beloved sister and he sighed deeply. Rolled his eyes.

“Fine, open it...”, he then said, still holding on to his beloved. Because, what difference would it have made, if he let go? She knew anyway. And he liked him close.

Merlin did not move, his eyes just flashed golden for a moment as the door unlocked.

And Morgana stepped inside, took a look around and closed the door behind her. “Well, I see, I’m disturbing something...”, she said, matter-of-factly.

“If you see, why are you still here?”,  her brother wanted to know.

“Uther...”, she just shrugged.

“Well, yes....”

“And I wanted to say hello to my favourite pregnant omega!”, she added with a bright smile in Merlin’s direction. Which made him pull back a little from his alpha. Just enough, so he could face her directly. His back now leaned against his chest.

“What will you do, when Gwen’s pregnant, as well?”, he smiled back, because he knew too well, she liked her more. They were closer.

“Then you’ll be my favourite brother-in-law?”, she just said. “So? How was your trip? How’s your mother doing?”

“Err, she’s doing fine. Thank you... What was that?”, he asked stumbling over her words, smile fading.

“Oh, c’mon. Don’t deny the obvious”, she winked. Obviously referring to him still leaning against his alpha. “So? How was the journey? Any troubles? Not encountered any bandits or beasts?”

“No. Not really. Are you mocking him because of his report?”, he accused her.

‘He’ being Arthur, who was still standing behind his omega, hiding his clearly visible erection by pressing it against the sorcerer’s butt, glared at Morgana at mention of him. Like he really wanted her, to leave, which... Well, he wanted her to leave.

“My report was just fine, Merlin. I told my father exactly what the knights of Camelot had seen and done!”, he justified.

“Leaving out, that you’ve been fetching your mate, probably enjoying some alone-time, before bringing him back home?”, she reminded him. “Oh, and you totally forgot to mention, you knocked him up, just as well...”

“Morgana!”, both men exclaimed.

“I know, I know. Can’t really tell, him, can we? Dunno, what he’d do, if he actually knew right now.  He’s been distracted in the last few days, with Nimueh and apparently the upcoming tournament, as well. You’ll need to think of something good, to sell him that...”, the witch said. “I’ve spent my time with him and Camelot’s affairs, these days, so... Well... Are you going to tell him? Eventually?”

“Morgana...”, Merlin sighed, almost groaned, because this was exactly what he did not want to think about at the moment. He was well aware of this problem, but... But...

“Will have to. Can’t hide Merlin and his belly for the next half year, can I? And after... Things won’t get easier, just... Maybe not now?”, Arthur explained to her, exasperated.

“Half year? How far along were you again?”

“Somewhere around month five or so... Would need to talk to Annes again...”, the servant told her, subconsciously placing a hand on his lower body. Yes. There definitely was a very slight bulge. Not the result of too much food, but a life growing inside of him.  And as he touched there, Arthur’s hand slid over his, fingers entwining. And he could smell his alpha so strongly. Feel his warmth. Him being there. Present.

“Okay, okay, I get it. You really need some alone-time. Have fun you two...”, she rolled her eyes, smiling at them unexpectedly gently. But actually turned around and left them alone. Gave them space.

Which took them both a few seconds, to grasp. She was usually not one to just retreat.

“Well, that was... A thing?”, Merlin finally said, eyeing the door.

“Hmm... Why was she even here...”, his alpha complained, resting his chin on his shoulder. Head turning to place a kiss on his neck.

“Well, she probably was very worried....”, the dark-haired mumbled, tilting his head to the side. Giving him more space.

“Hmm... But now she’s gone and... I don’t wanna stop....”, the prince pouted, but then resumed to kissing and gently biting his neck, while stroking his thumb over the back of his hand, that was still placed on his belly.

“Hmm... I can feel that...”, the omega answered, sighing contently. Because he liked the proximity, the touch. Arousal returning with every second that passed, that Arthur was that close to him. And, well, his prince’s erection against his butt definitely helped getting him into the mood again.

“Good... Because I really do want you...”, Arthur whispered into his ear, nibbling at his earlobe.

“Sounds about right... Bed?”, the servant suggested. But as they started to move towards the bed, actually rather stumbling, still sunk into a deep kiss, again a knock on the door interrupted them.

“Fuck, Morgana! Didn’t anyone ever teach you manners?! Get lost!”, Arthur exclaimed angrily, eyeing the door, like it had harmed him personally.

“Sire, I doubt, the Lady’s manners are the ones to question at the moment!”, definitely not Morgana’s voice replied through the wood.

“Gaius?!”, Merlin pretty much shrieked, now almost jumping away from his prince, allowing the door to open. Because he could not just tell Gaius to leave! No matter how much he wanted to continue, what they were doing! And maybe he was a tad embarrassed...

“As I can see, you both returned safely”, the physician nodded upon entering and closed the door behind him. With the exasperated look of an old man knowing way too much. Well, they had not been subtle. Both probably looking quite dishevelled at the moment.

“Yes? Well, I was going to visit you tomorrow, you see?”, Merlin told him, suddenly feeling very bad for just leaving without telling anyone and returning without talking to the person whom he trusted the most here in Camelot – his alpha excluded, because this was a different topic.

“I see... I assume, you are still fine and healthy, after all the stress?”, Gaius asked, raising an eyebrow, looking the boy up and down, like he could see any possible damage.

“I... I think so? I mean...”, the sorcerer explained, blushing a little. “I felt pretty bad after I left, but I’ve been fine, since... Since...” He eyed his alpha. Not able to phrase what he wanted to express.

“Since that young man here went and fetched you?”, the old man just nodded.

“Yes?”

“I already expected this....”, he sighed. Taking in the view, the two men standing next to each other. Crown prince and servant. Uther’s son and the sorcerer. This was really, really bad.

“What do you mean?”

“I... Did some research, again, after I had a long talk with Annes. She gave me a new insight on the topic of, of you two...”, Gaius explained with another sigh.

“Okay? So, is it because of the pup? The baby, I mean...”, Arthur asked, shoulder brushing his omega’s. He would not mind! Of course not! Whatever had caused their status quo, it would be fine. As long as they could be together.

“This whole situation is rooted even deeper than that, I suspect... This is something very old, something I am not yet sure, how to explain...”

“Sounds like magic?”, Merlin wanted to know.

“It is some kind of magic, but not a curse... Nothing evil, as far as I could translate by now.  But something that has to do with your... Gift, you see?”, the old man told him.

“My magic?”

Gaius flinched at the mention of this, shot Arthur a look, but the prince just looked back, wrapping an arm around his omega. To show him, he did not mind any of this. Because... Though he did not like the idea of magic being involved, if it was Merlin’s magic – the soft tickle he had felt every now and then, the jolt he came to like – he would not mind. This something was part of Merlin. And it would never harm him, there he was sure. It liked him. He did not know, how he knew, but he was sure.

“Yes, yes indeed. You two are not bonded and yet you... You feel all of these things bonded couples do. Your connection is different even from mates would feel, when finally meeting... I assume, you have seen at least one example of this recently?”

Both men nodded at the mention of Gwen and Lancelot, pretty much glued to the physician’s lips.

“I am having a little trouble translating this old work and would not ask Geoffrey for help on this matter, but as far as I know at this point, it is about your souls and Merlin’s....Gift”, Gaius explained without explaining anything at all.

“Souls? Hm, according to that dragon, we share a soul anyway. One soul, one fate, two sides of the same coin or so...”, Merlin told him with a shrug.

“You mentioned that, but... What dragon exactly?!”, the prince wanted to know, face turning to his not-yet-mate.

“The one, that lived under the castle, Kilgarrah. Had a few chats with it in the basement you see? Freed it, to safe your life. Long story...”, the sorcerer mumbled, not feeling very comfortable all of a sudden. Trying to lean away from him a bit.

“Ah, THAT dragon! Good to know, you chatted with that dragon....”

“Well, yes, indeed very good, Sire! Since this would explain one thing that did not really make sense in my text!”, Gaius replied in Merlin’s stead, ignoring the sarcasm in his voice.

“Would it?”, Arthur wanted to know, suspiciously. Arms crossing in front of his chest now, but not stepping away from his sorcerer. His omega. His... Soulmate? Could one call it that? Could he?

“I am certain. I just need to put some things together, to... Well, would you excuse me, Sire? I think, I would like to continue my research... If you allow it?”, the physician told him with a nod. Obviously deep in thought.

“Fine, fine, whatever...”, the blonde sighed, then turned to Merlin. “And you better tell me about that dragon, will you?”

“It’s a long story actually, got to do with my father and all....”

And while the sorcerer explained, Gaius retreated, closing the door behind him. leaving them alone, now that he had checked and confirmed they were fine. He was relieved. And now tried to figure out, what was behind all of this, because... It was too late for anything else. This would not just dissolve. He should have known earlier.... Should have trusted his instincts when he had first suspected, right before Arthur’s rut, but... He had not. Because he had never seen any of them this happy before.  And... He wished for nothing more than both their happiness. And apparently this would not happen apart from one another.

“I see...”, Arthur sighed, leaning back. They both were sitting on the bed together and Merlin had told him everything he knew about the dragon, the Dragonlord and, well... His family situation.

“I should have told you earlier, I guess...”, the sorcerer mumbled, looking down.

“So, you’re a Dragonlord... A sorcerer. This powerful Emrys guy. And an omega. And you’re carrying the child of the crown prince of Camelot... Anything else I should know?”

“I... I think that’s it? I told you about the prophecies....”

“You did...”

“So.... You only met your father this once and... You could not even talk?”, Arthur asked gently, placing his hand on his, that was resting on his knee.

Merlin nodded.

“That... I’m sorry. I should have given you the moment...”

“You... Didn’t know...”, he mumbled, swallowing down the tears he felt prickling in his eyes, because... Because Arthur did not shout. Did not throw him out. Hate him. He was nice, gentle. And that was moving.

“I know. But I was an ass. I... Could you tell him, you’re his?”

“Before he died. He saw my mother in me... And well, then I inherited the power...”

“You can command dragons, well, fine. But... Are you okay?”, the prince wanted to know, leaning him against his shoulder.

“Hmm... Was pretty hard that time. Had a lot on my mind. Kilgarrah was pretty cross with you...”

“I guessed that much, when it tried to kill me...”

“He. Well, was nothing personal. He just really hates Uther for trapping him down there...”

“The list of people, things, entities hating my father is growing longer and longer...”

“Well, he banned magic and killed thousands of people and magical beings... And he’s... I mean, he’s not exactly a good person... He treats you like shit...”, Merlin tried to explain.

“Hm.... I’ll take care of this. All of this, as soon as I’m king. I’ll make things better. You won’t have a reason to fear. Or to get angry on my behalf...”, Arthur promised him. Placed a gentle kiss on his head.

“Hmm... You’ll be a good king... If we don’t fuck it up, before...”

“We won’t. I guess I owe a lot to the people of Camelot... To you... And to our pup...”, he smiled.

“Talking about owing ‘n stuff... Oh, fuck, this is gonna sound so cheesy...”, the sorcerer mumbled, turning his head, burying his face in his neck.

“What?”, the prince wanted to know.

“I wouldn’t mind, if we continued where we, you know...”

“So, I’m owing you my body?”

“Said, it sounds stupid...”

“Well, you are stupid, so it fits perfectly, hey!”, he mumbled, complaining, as a pair of omega teeth sunk into his neck. And shuddered.

“You like it...”, Merlin smiled, gently licking his skin.

“Never said, I didn’t... But I want your lips up here...”, Arthur told him, resting his hand on his omega’s chin, to lift it up, way from his neck and towards his mouth. Kissing him.

“Hmm...”, Merlin almost purred, leaning in to the kiss. Closing his eyes.  Enjoying the feeling, the hands wandering over his back and sides, caressing him.

“Want you....”, the alpha mumbled into his mouth, as his hands slid under the fabric, touching and feeling the hot skin. He pulled back and tried nestling on his belt, loosening it clumsily , dropping it onto the floor.

“Yes, please...”, the sorcerer whispered, suppressing a shudder.  Started focussing his magic on helping him remove their clothes.

And then, there was a knock on the door....

Chapter Text

“Hmpf....”, Arthur made, separating their probably a little kiss swollen lips. But he was reluctant to let go of his omega completely. “Does the whole castle have business with us, today?”, he then grumbled.

“Apparently....”, Merlin sighed, cheeks red. He took a few breaths to steady himself, because he was very much flustered and very much aroused and he would really like to continue this, thank you very much! For a split second, he considered to magic away whoever was standing in front of the door, to the other end of the castle with something else, very urgent to do. But he was not even sure, if he was capable of doing this! Just because his magic was pretty compliant, when Arthur was involved, did not necessarily mean, he could stretch his luck. He had no idea, if even a spell like that existed and without one, it would be very risky.

“Who’s there?”, Arthur finally asked, getting up from the bed, straightening his clothes, just in case. He could not get caught doing what they had been about to do.

“Annes, my dear. I’m here to check on you two! I brought fresh pears!”, the friendly, almost motherly and thus quite resolute voice of the midwife sounded through the wood.

“Oh...”, Merlin made, remaining seated, after having started to actually get up as well, because a manservant should not sit on his master’s bed. Not at all. But Annes, Annes would be fine.

“Ah, okay, please come in!”, Arthur told her making a gesture towards his omega, asking him to unlock the door. Which he did.

So the midwife came in an shut the door behind her, smiling at both of them, while placing a small plate on the table. “Was I interrupting?”, she assumed, still in a pretty good mood.

“No!” “Yes!” both men answered at the same time blushing.

“Nah, it’s fine. I don’t mind. I’ve seen worse, really. And a bit of bonding should be good for the three of you”, she explained knowingly.

“Really?”, Merlin asked, a little surprised. Because... Maybe he had not thought about this at all? About the baby and... Well... Sex... Because this had not been relevant to him in past four and a little months. He suddenly felt like an idiot. But... Well, he was a male omega. He did not know more than the basics about pregnancy. He had helped his mother a few times, when she had taken care of pregnant betas and female omegas in their village – being the only one with knowledge about herbs and medicine – but he had never cared that much about it, because... This had always been to unlikely, so impossible. That he would ever end up with child.

“Ah, yes, really. Don’t worry. It won’t harm the little one. Just, further along, you might adjust the positions a little, so there won’t be too much pressure on your belly, my dear. But that’s a problem for later. For now you can enjoy yourselves every way you like”, she smiled and winked at him.

“This...”, Arthur started, but did not know, how to continue, so he just went silent and looked at her.

“Yes, indeed. So, now that you’re back from your little journey, may I examine you again?”, she asked the omega.

“Errrr.... Fine?”

“Great. Would you lie down on the bed? The father can stay next to you. Just keep him close, my boy. You’ll need all the support you can get...”, she smiled encouragingly.

And Merlin nodded. Adjusted his position with the help of his alpha, who was on the bed with him instantly, shoving some pillows under his head, getting him as comfortable, as possible.

“Wonderful! Really, you’ve landed yourself a very caring partner! Lovely! So, would you please pull up your shirt, darling?”, she told him, waiting patiently for him to comply.

“Errr....”, he mumbled, not sure what to say, as he lifted the shirt.

“Yes, honey? Just ask. You look, like something’s lying on the tip of your tongue?”

“I... What does ‘as much support as possible’ mean?”, he wanted to know, while she stepped closer, looking at his abdomen, examining the small bulge still there as he was lying. One could not actually deny it, when looking closer. It was definitely not just fat.

“As much support as you can get. You’re not bonded, thus you’ll need his proximity and pheromones. Of course as long and much as is possible! It doesn’t need to be twenty-four seven!”, she added with a quick look over to Arthur.

“I see... Would... Would it help, if we were bonded?”, the prince asked, intertwining his fingers with his mate’s.

“Oh, oh yes. I mean, in theory it would stabilise things, but it is not necessary, for a healthy progress in pregnancy. You shouldn’t just do it for the little one’s sake...”, Annes told him with a smile, placing her hand on Merlin’s bellybutton.

“No, of course not! Wouldn’t do it just for... But, it would be a good thing?”, Arthur wanted to know.

“It would. But you won’t harm the baby pup if you don’t want to do it. I understand, that your situation is a special one. Not that I mind, of course. I’ve had a lot of special cases in all my years!... Oh boy, you’re doing so very good for me, just hold still a little longer, I can feel it in there...”

“So... You’re aware of... Our situation?”, the alpha wanted to know.

“I think, I am. But it’s none of my concern... I’m just here to make sure, the baby’s fine. I don’t care about your rank or titles at all. Never have. Ah, there’s the little head! Do you want to feel it, too?”, the midwife said, looking up, at him.

“I.... Really?”

“If your omega allows it?”

“Of course... I mean... Yes?”, Merlin mumbled, not sure, what to think or do or say.

Annes nodded, then she took Arthur’s hand and lead it down, right under Merlin’s bellybutton. Pressed it down there. Not so much that it hurt or felt uncomfortable, but he could feel some resistance under the skin. A firm something.

“Oh...”, the prince mumbled.

“You shouldn’t try to feel for it yourself. But here it is. Healthy little thing. Can you feel it?”, she smiled.

And Arthur nodded.

“Good, good. I’ll check up on you every few weeks, until you’re close to birth, is that fine with you, my dear boy?”, she then asked the omega.

And Merlin nodded.

“Very good. Just try to avoid serious stress, alcohol and heavy pressure to your belly. Everything else will just work out. Be as close to your alpha, as you can. And listen to your body. If you crave something, your body needs it. And if you dislike a smell or taste, it’s fine to dislike it. You don’t have to deal with it...”

“I... See?”

“Wonderful! And if you ever feel uncertain have Gaius send for me. I’m in the castle every now and then anyway, since I’m helpings out with the cleaning from time to time, so people are used to seeing me here....”

“Good”, Arthur noted.

“Indeed! Oh... And before I forget it: it might be possible, that your magic will try to protect the unborn life. Just... So that you’re aware of it. I don’t actually know, how things will go with your very special talent, but other pregnant magic users would sometimes make things happen subconsciously... But I think, your alpha will be able to deal with it?”, Annes explained with a warm smile towards Arthur. Who just nodded. Again.  Because, what else could he do?  Merlin’s magic was a part of him. A thing he had embraced. A thing he had actually come to like, since by now it had done nothing but good for them. So... How bad could whatever there was to come, be?

“I see?”, Merlin mumbled not very sure, what he was about to see. Would he see? What could the effects be? Should he worry? Maybe just stay inside, for now? But... So far nothing had happened. So maybe nothing will happen at all? He had no idea!

“Great. Yes, you’ll just see. So? Make sure, you eat properly and take care, okay, my sweet Merlin?”, Annes smiled at him, while washing her hands in Arthur’s water basin.

“I will...”, he nodded.

Then she waved at them and left. Behind her, the door locked. And then Merlin and Arthur, both still on the bed, were silent. The omega straightened his clothes, then still lying, turned to his side, to look at Arthur. Unsure, what to say. Or what to do. What to expect. Because that was much, was it not? His magic would eventually get involved.

“Sooooo...”, his alpha began, sliding down, so he was lying opposite of him, looking at him. Arm resting under his head.

“Well... I’m a sorcerer. A warlock. Whatever. I’m a magic user....”

“I know...”

“I might do something subconsciously...”

“Would this do any harm? I mean... By now you’ve only done good...”

“I’ve killed people, Arthur...”

“Ones who tried to kill me?”

“Yes...”

“Would you kill anyone, just because they annoy you?”

“Haven’t killed you, so far...”, the omega shrugged. With a shy smile, trying to lighten the mood a little.

“So you think, I’m annoying?”

“Usually, yes. The main course for any headaches I have usually is you....”

“Stop that! I’m trying to cheer you up!”, Arthur pouted and placed his index finger on the tip if his nose, trying to look serious.

“Why?”

“Because you look worried...”, he told him, caressing his cheek

“Hm... Am worried. I mean, what if I accidentally do something in front of your father?”

“He hardly recognises your existence. I think you’re safe with that....”

“I was so very angry at him, before. What if my magic had acted and just turned him into a squirrel?”

“Then we’d need a smaller crown for the king...”, Arthur shrugged with a smile, imagining his father as a little, red, fluffy mammal.

“Oh, please, be more serious!”, Merlin huffed, glaring at him.

“Okay, okay. Then we’d tell the council, he’s sick in his chambers and work on a way to turn him back! And then we’ll tell him, all of this had been a fever dream. Gaius, Morgana and the knights would help. I’m certain!”, the prince told him. And he sounded very serious.

“Are you... Shit, you’re serious... Arthur, why are you like this?”, Merlin sighed. “I’m a sorcerer. I have magic. Why can’t you just be a little stressed about this?”

“Because I love you?”

“You....”, he tried to answer, but then realised, what the prince had just said and suddenly his mouth was very dry and he was unable to say anything. Unable to breathe. He just stared at him. Mouth open.

“What did you think? I came to Ealdor, to bring you back. Do you really think, this is just about the pheromones or the fact that you’re pregnant with my pup? Fuck, I want to bond with you. Badly. Because of you, not just because of this whole situation...”, Arthur told him. Now smiling shyly.

“I... ‘Ts stupid....”, the omega managed to voice, sounding very hoarse.

“You asked, if I would bond with you. I’m willing to. Whenever you want. Just say the word, and I’ll give myself to you...”

“You’re the...”

“The fucking crown prince of Camelot. I’m aware. Still there’s no other omega, I’d ever want. So we’ll find a way to deal with everything... You’ll be mine and we’ll have that baby together... Okay?”

“Idiot...”

“Probably...”

“You... You’re way too accepting. Just learned today, that I’m a Dragonlord and that the dragon’s still alive and well, and yet you just... Argh, if any princess pulled this and you’d just shrug and accept it, I would have been certain, you must have hit your head. Or are under a spell or something. Whatever. Can’t you just be a little more aware of how dangerous all of this is? You can’t hide my pregnancy forever and you can’t just tell Uther!”

“I know. So? Are you done?”

“Done?!”

“With your outburst. Because I’d really like to kiss you. If you’re amenable?”, Arthur said with a smile.

“I... Arthur, you’re mad. You’re absolutely mad...”, Merlin whispered, shaking his head.

“So what? Will it help me get you quiet for now?”

“Probably....”, he sighed, rolled his eyes, but then leaned forwards, to kiss him. And Arthur did the same. Pressed his lips against his.

And with this, the conversation was over. Because they were suddenly very busy with each other and Merlin was sure, as he used a spell to get rid of their clothes, his magic decided, to make sure, no one would interrupt them for the rest of the day.  He did not know, what exactly he did, but he just knew.

“Hm?”, Arthur asked, interrupting their kiss. Pulling away a little.

“We’ll be alone for today...”, the sorcerer told him.

“Ah. Spell?”

“Something like that...”

“Good... Oh, fuck, you’re so very beautiful....”, Arthur whispered, now looking at him, at his smooth, pale skin, his dark nipples and the nape of his neck, where he so desperately wanted to leave marks.

“I’m not...”, the omega mumbled. “You are, though...”

“You flatter me...”

“Like you’d need it, with that ego of yours...”

“Hey! Watch your mouth!”, the prince chuckled, then pulled him on top of him and started nibbling on his neck. Groin pressing against his omega’s stomach.

“Hnnn...”, Merlin replied with a content sigh. Did not say anything else, just enjoying, what his alpha did, dwelling in the contact.

“Fuck, I know what I said, what I promised, but... Merlin, I want to take care of you...”, Arthur mumbled, kissing and biting down his neck, over his collarbone, while his hands moved over his sorcerer’s back, caressing and gently scratching his smooth skin.

“Ahnnn....”

“Want to kiss you and hold you... Can I? Spoil you? Fuck, I want to feel you... Every inch of that body....please?”, he mumbled against his skin, licking where his teeth had left marks.

And Merlin nodded. Breathing heavily. And definitely grinding his erection against Arthur’s hip bone. He needed this. Now. They had waited so long, he was yearning for this.

“Great...”, was the blonde’s answer as he spun the around, placed his omega on the soft sheets, kneeling over him. Looking at his face. And fuck, that was hot! “Shit, you’re stunning... That’s not fair. How could a big eared idiot like you be this fucking hot?!”, he whispered into his ear, before biting his earlobe, growling possessively.

“Arthur! Stop that!”, Merlin moaned, grabbing his hip, to try to move against him. To rub his hardness against him. He was drowning in the alpha’s pheromones, felt his hole twitching. He was definitely getting wet. But, fuck, he wanted him! He wanted his alpha! Had missed this so desperately! His idiot prince, who was so fucking stupid! Who did not care about his magic, about his status, the dragon stuff, the child! Fuck, Arthur was such an...

“Ahhhn!”, he moaned, as the prince bit down, leaving a mark right at his scent glands. Did not draw blood, just teased. But it was enough to make him shiver. Fuck, this bloody alpha was really driving him mad! His omega yearned for more, for the bond, to feel his very soul. He wanted their scents to mix. Fuck, he wanted it so much! It was just not smart right now. They should not rush! Apropos rush: “Fuck, Arthur! More!”, he urged him.

“Now we’re talking. Greedy thing....”, Arthur grinned and loosened his grip, teeth leaving the reddened skin. He adjusted his position, parting the dark-haired’s legs to kneel between them, kissing down his shoulder, over his chest.

“Shit! Ahnnn!”, Merlin moaned, as his prince started playing with both his nipples. Licking and sucking one, while twisting the other between thumb and index finger.

“Hmm.... You taste so sweet... My omega... Mine...”, the alpha growled in a deep voice, sucking on one of the erect buds on his chest.

“Fuck! Fuck, fuck, fuck!”, the sorcerer cursed, twitching and shivering, because he was so fucking sensitive! He felt his own dick leaking. And, shit, he was definitely wet. He felt the slick collecting around his entrance, softening the muscle. Yeah, fuck whatever they had talked about before! Right now he just wanted this alpha to claim him! To fill him! He wanted, no, needed, his knot! Because it had been too long! He desired, wanted! Fuck, why was Arthur not inside him? Why was he moving lower in this torturing, slow way? Fuck, he loved his hands and his mouth and his teeth, but he wanted his fucking cock! Now! 

“Mine, mine... My omega, my....”, Arthur mumbled, placing kisses around his bellybutton, on the slight, almost not noticeable bulge, before moving even lower, licking over the tip of his erection.

“Ahnnn!”, Merlin moaned. Hips shooting up, chasing the touch, burying both hands in his alpha’s blonde hair.

“Impatient?”, Arthur whispered, voice full of lust. Looking up to him, lip still touching the tip of his glans.

“Yes. I’ve been waiting for weeks! Get that fucking prick inside me, now!”, the omega exclaimed impatiently. Pushing and pulling at his hair, not really sure, how he wanted him. Soon. Now! Please!

“Hasn’t even been two weeks, I guess...”, the prince smirked  but placed a kiss on the tip of his penis.

“Don’t care, just... Fill me up, already? Pretty please?”

“Hmm... You can be nice, if you really want to...”, he noted. And moved further down, while opening his mouth, taking in his erection, sucking it into his mouth.

“Fuuuuck!”, Merlin exclaimed, whole body twitching.

 And then his alpha, let his hand slide down his hipbone, over his thigh, right between his spread legs, caressing his scrotum.

“Hnnn!”, was the immediate reaction.

Arthur swallowed him down even further, while letting his hand wander even lower, fingertip stroking over his definitely slick entrance.

“Ahh, yes!”, was Merlin's answer to this, as he slid the finger inside, without any resistance. Rather the opposite, it was like Arthur’s finger got greedily sucked in.

“You’re so greedy for me…”, the blonde smirked, letting go of his cock, looking up at him.

“Yes, please! Arthur, more!”, the sorcerer urged him, trying to move back, onto his finger. Shivering.

“Fine, fine, just let me prepare you a little, you’re not in heat, after all…”

“Hurry!”

“Merlin!?”, Arthur grumbled, but complied, adding two more fingers, with almost no resistance at all. He was getting sucked in.

“Yes, yes! Please”, the omega begged.

“Patience, Merlin. I can’t just stick it in… At least get me some oil…”, the prince told him, panting, because that was hot. So very hot. He really had to hold back. It had been a while. Not even two weeks, but well… He could not just take him, no matter how much his alpha wanted and needed. He had to at least prepare him properly! Though he was just as impatient, as his inner alpha was.

The sorcerer’s eyes glowed golden for just a second, then he passed him an vile with oil they usually kept in the night stand. And then, his head fell back onto the pillows, mouth open, moaning, because Arthur started spreading the fingers inside of him, letting the oil drip onto them, coating them.

“Fuuuu-!”

“You’re so soft already… Fuck, Merlin, I…”

“Arthur, get your god damn alpha cock inside me! Now!”, the sorcerer almost whimpered, trying to spear himself on his fingers.

“Fine. Fine, fine, fine! But if you complain, that you can’t walk tomorrow, I’m not responsible for this! Definitely not!”, the alpha growled and pulled back his finger, gripped his legs to spread them even further apart, angling them, so Merlin’s hole had the right position. He even shoved a pillow under his butt, so he could have better access.

Then he poured the oil in his achingly hard cock. Spread it there and moaned, because, fuck, he needed his omega! His cock was twitching, knot already swelling.

“Won’t! Just, please?”, Merlin begged. Spread his legs even wider, to present himself to his alpha.

“Mer~lin!”, Arthur growled and got closer. Grabbed his legs firmly, to place them on his shoulders and lined himself up. Glans pressing against his hole, demanding entrance.

And with a loud, pretty much obscene moan, the omega opened up for him. Shivering. But Arthur slid inside, was suddenly surrounded by a tight, wet warmth, gripping him firmly, wrapping around his cock.

“Oh fuuuuck!”, he moaned as he sunk deeper inside.

“Ohh, ahhnnn!”, was Merlin’s reply, mouth agape, head thrown back into the pillows, eyes pressed shut. Dwelling in the feeling of sudden fullness. A slight pain, a stretch, but bearable. Neglectable, compared to the feeling of being filled by his alpha, by his love!

“You’re so fucking… Tight… Fuuuck!”, Arthur panted, holding back, to not just push inside in one go. He wanted, needed, his knot inside him, but not now, not that fast. He wanted to enjoy this! Wanted Merlin to enjoy this! And he did not want this to be over that fast, because… Well, because this was a little too god, maybe.

“Yes…. Deeper, Arthur, please!”, the sorcerer demanded, heels digging into his back, unexpectedly, pulling him closer. And then, Arthur was inside him, knot pressing against his rim. Breathing heavily.

“You’re the death of me… Really, Merlin! I’m trying to hold back here! For your sake!”, the alpha tried to tell him, looking down at him.

Merlin – biting his lower lip, gazing at him with way too much want in his eyes – pressed him even closer.

“Fuck. Me!”, he demanded, eyes shimmering with a hint of gold. And then Arthur felt a push against his lower body, his butt, to be precise and then, his knot pressed against the muscle ring and he could feel it giving in, swallowing him whole.

“Ahhn!”, he moaned, biting his tongue. That was… Dangerous. Merlin was fucking dangerous! A force of nature! And he wanted him! He wanted him so much! And Arthur wanted him just as well. Wanted to let go. Wanted to just have him.

“Yesss!”, the sorcerer hissed, pulled him even closer, with his magic, made him bend down, further and further, almost bending himself in half, to have him close, so he could kiss his alpha’s lips.

“Fuck!”, was the prince’s reply against his lips. Then he gently bit his lower lip and moved his hips, changing the angle inside of him, making both of them moan.

“Move!”, Merlin exclaimed, using his magic again, to push and pull at him. Not forcefully, but demonstrating, what he wanted, what he needed so desperately.

“Fuck, Merlin!”, Arthur hissed, but complied. Pulled back slightly, as much as their current position allowed and pushed back in, making them both moan loudly.

And then, clumsily trying to continue their kiss, he built up a rhythm. At first just slight pushes, barely moving but soon, he pushed himself up, on his hands and actually started fucking into him. Pulling out and pushing back in, going faster and faster. Knot rubbing against his rim and inside, the pressure sending shivers down his spine, trough his whole body.

“Yes, oh fuck, Arthuuuuur!”, Merlin exclaimed, his nails digging into his forearms, he was grabbing to have something to steady himself.

“I can’t… Shit…”, the alpha tried to articulate, because he felt his whole body tensing, orgasm building up, threatening to wash over him. His knot was swelling rapidly. “Need to…”, he tried to tell him, wanting to pull away one arm, to use his hand, to take his omega over the edge with him, but the dark-haired was still grabbing him tight.

“No, ‘ts fine, I, oh fuuuu-”, Merlin screamed, voice breaking, as he started shuddering, grabbing him tight. Hole clenching down on him, pressing onto his knot and then, for just a brief moment, Arthur whited out. His orgasm washed over him, taking him away. He was releasing inside his omega. Claiming him. Possessing him. And everything was the way it was supposed to be. He was happy. So fucking happy!

He needed almost a minute, to pull himself together enough, to realise, that he had not been the only one coming. Merlin, panting heavily, looking utterly blissed out, had spent just as well, slick sperm coating both their stomachs.

“Well…”, Arthur whispered, out of breath, barely keeping himself from collapsing on top of his omega.

“Maybe, I love ya, too…”, said omega mumbled, voice hoarse, still riding out the high of his orgasm, still filled with his alpha’s spent and knot.

“Hmm… Good to hear…”, was the blonde’s reply and maybe he was grinning like a madman. Just a little bit. Because they were together. Connected. Knotted. And fuck, he really, really wanted to mark him. More than just leave those love bites on him, that were covering his neck and chest. Bond him. Properly. Leave a permanent mark on him. Claim him, so no one else would ever…

“Wanna cuddle?”, the sorcerer asked, still a little out of it.

“Hm-m”, Arthur nodded and somehow managed turning both of them onto their sides, unable to break the connection just yet. Wrapping his arms around him, pulling him close. Sighing contently. His cock was still half hard, knot swollen, twitching inside him, releasing even more of his spent. Filling him up. Marking him as his own…

“Can feel you in me… There’s so much…”, Merlin whispered into his ear, making him shudder.

“I’ve just come. Don’t talk that dirty, right after…”, the prince replied. Because the thought of him filling up his omega, made his dick twitch again.

“But I like being dirty with you…”,  the sorcerer mumbled, sleepily. Nose buried in his neck, so very close to his scent glands, dwelling in alpha pheromones.

“You…”

“Hm?”

“Nothing… Just sleep… Or… Can you pull the blankets over us?”, Arthur asked, remembering it would get cold during the nights. He did not want his omega to freeze. Especially since he already had established sleeping in a large pile of blankets, furs, pillows and cushions.

“Yeah…”, Merlin just made, waved a hand lazily and they were covered in a soft, warm blanket. And then the last remain of tension left his body and he went limb in his arms.

“We’ll need dinner…”, the prince noted, but was just on the verge of sleep as well.

“Hmmm…”, was the only reply he could get, before his omega had fallen asleep completely.

And he felt himself drifting away, too.

Hours later – it was definitely dark outside by now – Arthur opened his eyes. Still sleepy, he stretched a little, as much as he could without risking to wake the omega in his arms. And as he stretched, he felt his now soft dick sliding out of him. Merlin made an almost sad noise and snuggled closer to him, in his sleep.

“Hey, sleepyhead... You should eat something...”, he whispered, but Merlin only made another displeased sound.

Arthur rolled his eyes. Then placed a kiss on his forehead and pulled back. Tried to disentangle himself. He felt very much awake now. Fit. Eager. But did not know, what to do, because his omega was resting and he should not wake his resting omega. But he could not leave him alone, either. He wanted to be close to his omega. Where he could protect him. Because he had to protect his omega.

With a sigh, he got up and made his way to his desk. Feeling for his flint. Lighting the oil lamp, as he had finally found it. He had gotten used to Merlin doing those things. Mostly with his magic, but sometimes still manually.

He remembered, that his servant had to learn how to lighten the lamps and candles or the fireplace, thinking he was incompetent. Only realising now, that he had probably never had the need to do it manually. Fuck, his sorcerer had always been this obvious and still he had never even suspected! He had really been an idiot. Well, they were a perfect match, were they not?

He looked over to his sleeping omega, smiling. He wanted this. Him. Forever. Somehow. They would make it work.

With a smile he pulled over a nightshirt and coat and made his way to the door, certain a plate with pears would not be enough for his omega. For their child. But as he opened his door, he found a plate loaded with all kinds of dishes right in front of it. Some servant must have left it there. Without disturbing them. Luckily.

So he brought it inside, closed the door behind him again and heard it lock. Smiling, because he knew, it had been his sorcerer’s doing.

“Merlin? Dinner?”, he asked, as he placed the plate on his desk, walked over, to the bed.

“Hnn...”, the omega made, as he sat down, next to him.

“Food?”, he told him, stroking the fringe from his forehead.

“...Not hungry....”, Merlin made, still half asleep.

“Annes said, you should eat properly...”

“Hnnnn....”

“Did you drink enough, today? Want some water?”

“Arthur....?’

“Yes?”

“Shut it...”

“Then come and eat?”

“Your cum’s leaking out of me, d’ya really think, I’d want to get up now?”, the dark-haired grumbled  opening one eye.

“Fuck, Merlin!”, Arthur hissed, not having expected this kind of reply.

“Hmm, gimme ‘n hour or so, then I would....”, Merlin smiled.

“Eat, okay? Just eat something. Want me to clean you up?”, the prince offered.

“Hmm... Would be nice?”, the sorcerer mumbled and then Arthur just pulled away the blanket, grinning at him. And then got onto the bed, right between his legs, spreading them apart, gaze caught by his twitching hole. By the cum leaking out of it. “Hey, what are you?!”

“I’m gonna clean you up...”, Arthur grinned, licking his lips and then just dug in... Just because he could. And because he loved Merlin’s voice, as he was eating him out! And his taste. And well, he did not mind his own...

“Fuck, Arthur, ahhhh!”, the sorcerer moaned, hands gripping his hair, but not pulling him back, instead holding him in place.

“Hmm... Gonna do that again, for sure...”, the alpha grinned, dipping his tongue into his still stretched hole.

“Idiot!”

Chapter Text

After they both had been mysteriously missing the whole next day, knights covering for them, telling that of course their prince had participated in training, things just went to normal very fast.

Well, the new normal. The normal that included everyone important knowing about them. And the baby. That lead to Gwaine being less touchy with the omega, his teasing changing to a less physical one.

The servant spend most of his days on the training ground with prince and knights. Polishing weapons and armour, as the alphas sparred, preparing for the big tournament. Since there were six slot for Camelot, it was obvious, all of them would participate.

So far they had gotten word from the rulers of six kingdoms, accepting the challenge while the rulers of North Umbria and Elmet had politely declined their participation. So it would most likely be Cendred of Ecetir, Bayard of Mercia, Odin of Cornwall, Rodor of Nemeth, Godwyn of Gawant and Alined of Deorham and  a not yet certain entry from the current ruler of Deira, whom Arthur did not remember. They all would be participating in the tournament, sending five of their strongest knights.

They would have different disciplines, starting with a big mêlée ride, where everyone would fight all the participants until half of the competitors were eliminated, then having some show off disciplines like long bow shooting and one-on-one duels, eliminating the ones who lost and so the strongest four would end up in the jousting tournament that would declare the winner, who would get a large amount of gold, a favour from the king and a kiss from a Lady of Camelot.

In this case from a not very amused Morgana, who had tried her best to talk Uther out of this, but had lost, because she was the only unmated omega of high status in court and of course, it would be an honour to her and all. Most other nobles in Camelot had already married their omegas off, there was pretty much only she left. Or some children, that had barely presented. And Morgana would not have that, so she had eventually given in and accepted her fate.

The upcoming tournament changed their training timetable. While usually the practised one-on-one combat on the ground, they would now start training on horseback more often. And used the bows more frequently, shifting their location to the training fields with the straw targets. Merlin enjoyed watching them and was even encouraged to try his luck with the long bow every now and then. Which ended up in him getting mocked by all six fighters, because he could not even hit the target once.

A pouting sorcerer then used his magic to make sure, none of them would hit anywhere even close to the target for the next round. Making them all first complain, then laugh. And well, after training, they more often than never met up in the knights’ quarters, had a drink or chatted. Arthur had been dismissed from most his other duties, in order to archive top results in the competition, and thus barely had anything else to do. Except for taking care of his secret omega. Of his pregnant not-actually-yet mate.

They spend the nights cuddling and snuggling and doing other things, being close, holding each other, dwelling in each others’ scents. The pheromones. Because Arthur noticed that whenever he did not get close to the sorcerer, touch him, let him smell his alpha scent, the dark-haired would get nervous, anxious. Which the latter would never admit, of course, but it was hard to deny, either, so the prince made sure, to touch him every now and then or leave his scent on his clothes, because they could not always be together.

Sometimes, when it was raining, Arthur forced his mate to stay inside, so he would not get sick, so Merlin had all the time to take care of his little nest or occasionally visit Morgana, because she made him. He had rearranged Excalibur about six times by now, so it was currently hanging above the barely used fireplace. Arthur would not use this very special one during regular battles, so it stayed inside his chambers. Of course no one else was allowed to wield that sword.

And when he was not arranging things or fussing around, he was lying in bed, reading his magic book, which – to his own horror – had still been lying under the straw mattress in the antechamber, he had never used so far. In his hurry to leave Camelot, he had even forgotten this. And most of his clothes. Which actually were many of Arthur’s old clothes by now –  leaving off the belt around his waist for obvious reasons –  because a personal manservant of the prince of Camelot could not just walk around wearing lumps, the prat had insisted. Also… Maybe Merlin’s shirts were getting more than a little bit tighter around the hip by now. Not yet noticeably, if you weren’t looking exactly for this, but soon everyone would be able to see, so he went for wider clothing for now…

So today, only a few days before the expected visitors would arrive, Merlin was relaxing. It had rained the whole day, so his duty had been done as soon as he had put the heavy armour on his prince. Gaius had told him that he was no longer expected to actually help with his work, but could borrow books and whatever he needed anytime. So Merlin had so far not only read his magic book, but also many of the physician’s books about herbs and animals, but currently he was sunk in his magic book again, trying to recognise a shielding spell that would reflect magic back to its cause, when the door opened.

“Fuck, I hate mud!”, a very loud and very dirty Arthur complained, as he entered the room, still in full armour, helmet under his arm, dripping water and mud onto the floor.

“Have you taken a bath with the pigs?”, Merlin mused, lowering his book, to look him up and down.

“If you consider the knights pigs…”

“Nah, they’re way too well behaved… So? Good session?”, he wanted to know, placing the book on the night stand, sitting up, to get off the bed. Which had not yet become as troublesome, but would soon, as Annes had foreseen. He was at the beginning of his sixth month of pregnancy now, counting from the date of conception. And soon his growing belly would get in the way. She had explained to him how things would go on and what would eventually happen to his body, including the fact that the little one would have the size of a medium sized butternut squash, which actually was… A lot.

“Far from good. We couldn’t shoot, because it was raining too heavily and the horses had no motivation as well... So we ended up fighting with our swords. Gwaine had slipped about twenty times, always pulling someone down with him! I think, I have mud in places that have never seen the sun!”, the prince complained.

“Oh, my poor, poor prince...”, the omega chided, shaking his head. “So? Need a hand? Or do you intend to dirty the whole room for the rest of the day?”

“Get me out and get me a bath. It’s not cold, but I feel... Urgh...”,  Arthur said, shaking in a demonstrative manner.

“Fine. But just because I don’t wanna swipe the whole room again...”

“First, it’s your job to clean and to help me with my armour, second, you’d probably use magic anyway and get things done in seconds and third: this was an order”, he grumbled, glaring at his manservant. He was in a pretty bad mood today and still had some paperwork piled up on his desk, because the king wanted them to train as much as possible, but would not completely let him off the hook. So, since he had spent the past weeks with a lot of training and indulging in time with his omega, the work had not decreased.

“As you wish, Sire”, Merlin said, while demonstratively rolling his eyes, but stepped closer and started untying the laces. Which were not easily found under all the dirt. “You really did play with the pigs...”, he huffed.

“You should join us next time. Heard, a little mud does wonders to the skin...”, Arthur replied, holding still, while one part after the other got dropped onto the floor.

“You’re worried about my skin? Didn’t you tell me just last night, how beautiful I look? Did you lie to me?”, the sorcerer asked, pretending to be scandalised.

“What? No! I mean... The beta women and the omegas all talk about those things, don’t they?”, the alpha tried to explain.

“Have you been talking to Morgana, recently?”, Merlin suspected. Because this was definitely not something he would come up with on his own. He did not actually have much knowledge about beta women or omegas, which actually showed in the way he behaved towards them occasionally.

“She’s pretty involved recently. You know that she tells me, what I missed in the meetings, while being a good crown prince, training to honour our kingdom. Father let’s her, as long as she’s silent. No idea, how she talked him into this, but it seems to work...”

“You met her somewhere today and she told you about beauty treatments?”

“How’d you know?”

“Because the chance that you’d suggest a mud bath for my skin without anyone influencing you to do so is just as high as you coming up with a new holiday for all the servants in Camelot...”, the servant told him.

“Okay, fine. Told her you’d be inside for the day, because of the weather and she told me that mud’s good for the skin. So? My skin must look fabulous by now?”, Arthur told him, muffled, as he pulled the dripping wet fabric over his head.

“Nah, not exactly. You look a little swollen, because you’ve been drenched all day. Your feet probably look like you got webs between your toes...”, Merlin told him and knelt down, started to unlace the boots.

“Hey, don’t mock me!”

“You started it, your Highness!”, he replied cheekily. Looked up at him.

“Fine, fine. You’re beautiful. Very beautiful. But I wouldn’t care, if your body would wrinkle and swell like mine probably did. Annes said, something like this would be possible?”, Arthur told him, holding his gaze. Maybe a little concerned, he said something wrong. Because... He had been warned of mood swings. Had experienced some himself by now, and thus felt prepared for the worst.

“Oh, that. Yes. Women usually get swollen feet or legs when pregnant. Not all, but it can happen. Don’t know if that’s a thing for male omegas, though. So far my boots still fit. And thanks to your shirts and trousers, I don’t need to worry about the rest, either...”

“I see. But if, I mean, if you need new shoes just tell me. I’d get you those. Or anything else!”

“Arthur, it’s fine. You pay me, in case, you have forgotten. I can buy my own boots, since I barely have any living expenses at the moment... “, Merlin reminded his alpha, now taking off the second boot.

“Oh, yes. I do. Right...”

“You have forgotten...”

“Maybe?”

“I’m still your servant. I work for you. There are just some convenient extras...”, he said with a wink and started taking off his trousers.

“Yeah... I sometimes forget...”, the prince mumbled, then a smirk crouched up his lips. “But you see, it’s so easy to forget, when you hardly do anything all day...”

“Pha! Who cleans the room? Who carries and cleans all your armour? Who gets you food and carries your sword to training? Who watches you in case you need something?”

“My omega...”, was the reply.

And Merlin was stunned for a moment. Mouth agape, interrupted in his tirade, not knowing what to say to this, while Arthur’s pants were pulled down, to his ankles. He just stared up, at his alpha.

“No cheeky reply?”

“You! Arthur, you fucking prat! Don’t sweet-talk me!”, the sorcerer finally replied, face red.  But holding his gaze, because he could not look away now!

“Very cheeky, indeed... The bath?”, a now almost naked Arthur smiled.

“Just wait, some day I’ll drown you... Or strangle you in your sleep...”, the omega muttered, making the drenched trousers disappear with a mere thought. They would appear in the laundry room, together with the other clothes and everyone would be sure, he had brought them down at some point. Now his mate was completely naked.

“Like you would... You could probably kill me with a thought?”, Arthur guessed, bowing down, hand reaching out, to caress his cheek.

“Probably....”, Merlin smiled leaned in to the touch and sighed. Waved his hand to prepare the bath. An easy exercise he had done countless times by now.

“You wouldn’t, though...”

“Would be no fun...”, he admitted. With a shrug.

“Guessed so. Now, join me. Don’t like being naked all alone...”, the prince told him, stroking his cheek with his thumb.

“Hm... Like you being this exposed, though...”, the sorcerer mumbled, but cast another spell, banishing his own clothes –  free from wrinkles and mud – neatly folded on to the bed. So now he was kneeling all naked in front of his alpha, looking up to him.

“Better...”, said alpha found.

“You’re still muddy, though...”

“Mind helping me with that, before we both get into the bath?”,

“Are you asking me to work magic? Again? Just like that?”

“Hmmm... Yes.”

“You actually got a thing for me using my magic or something?”, Merlin asked, rolling his eyes, but then used a quick cleaning spell to free his prince from the dirt, eyes glowing golden. Still looking up at him.

“Love what your eyes do...”, Arthur admitted, thumb stroking along his cheekbone.

“They change colour...”

“They glow golden. Looks kinda hot...”

“You really... You’re impossible...”, the omega huffed fondly.

“I’m a spoilt prince, aren’t I?”, the blonde smiled, letting go of him, to stretch out his hand to help him up. Merlin was very capable of doing so himself, even with the belly rearranging his body’s centre of gravity, but he accepted the kind offer ad let himself get pulled up. Now they were both standing there, naked.

Arthur’s gaze wandered over his naked form, his interested penis, but lingered on the bulge above. On the belly containing their pup. Their baby. Now, standing in front of him all naked, they both could not deny it. Yes, it had grown in the past three weeks, but it had definitely been there before. They had just been so oblivious, because… Who would expect this? And… It made his omega look even more beautiful. Stunning. Amazing. Merlin was… Breathtaking.

His member twitched, definitely interested. He licked his lips.

“Like, what you see?”, the omega asked, confidently.

“Obviously….”, the prince smiled, as his dick filled, definitely liking, what he was seeing.

“Want me to massage you a little, while we bath?”, Merlin asked, stepping closer, as he could lean towards him, whisper into his ear. “I could get you all loose and relaxed with my fingers and then we’ll see, where this leads?”

“Mer~lin?”, Arthur growled, voice low. Baring his teeth, inhaling the scent of his omega, so close to him.

“We could go on with this, hm? I mean, I still haven’t seen to you properly…”

“Hmm… Sounds good… But I think, I’d rather see to you, after a bit of your ministrations…”, he told him. “Don’t think, I can relax, after this session…”

“Of course… I surely don’t mind you filling me up with your cum…”

“Merlin!”

“Hmmm?”

“Get into the tub, or we’ll skip the foreplay…”

“Impatient alpha…”, Merlin laughed. Playfully bit his ear, but then retreated, to do, as he was told.

The guests arrived a few days later and at least the weather was better. There was no more rain and the grounds had dried enough, so no one would sink in during the competition.

All the rulers and participants arrived within one day, so Uther could hold a feast to honour them all. The great hall was crowded with visitors, since all the guests had brought not only their five combatants, but also parts of their family and about half their court.

Bayard had brought his wife, since his daughter would not actually be welcome in Camelot, after what had happened only a few months ago. Odin, the ruler of Cornwall, had brought his niece and nephew, as it seemed, both omegas, and was currently speaking to Uther, leaning over the table. To Uther’s right sat Arthur, Merlin behind him, and to his left the Lady Morgana, with Gwen by her side. But that did not stop the other rulers from trying to get the king’s attention. Cendred, who had brought his cousin, probably a beta, since she had no catching smell at all, was also trying to gain the king’s attention, same as Godwyn  and Alined. The former had brought his daughter Elena, while the latter had brought two unfamiliar male omegas, one barely old enough to have presented.

The older of the young men had carefully tried for eye contact with the prince, which Arthur had successfully ignored so far, making polite conversation with Elena.

Rodor – except for Bayard, who seemed to refuse to talk to anyone so far – was the only ruler currently chatting with his own daughter Mithian, who had discretely waved at Arthur, as they had sat down and did not seem interested in important political discussions with Uther.

The knights meanwhile, sitting on one of the three log tables with the other participants, were cheerfully chatting and trying to get to know the others. Which worked sometimes better, sometimes not so good. Some knights were very talkative, some just stared at them, and one of Cendred’s knights even refused to take off his helmet, to participate. He just sat there, at the end of the table, arms crossed, without touching a bite. His armour was dark, almost black, as was that of all of Cendred’s knights. But one could look hardly any more suspicious.

Even the knights in the dark red armour Odin had brought were engaging in the festivities, one  even chatting with a servant girl.

“So? Mind telling me, who this is?”, Mithian asked, leaning over to Arthur, interrupting his observations.

“Hm?”, he made eloquently and blinked. Looked at the princess.

“The girl over there. The blonde omega…”, she wanted to know, nodding at Elena, who was now chatting with one of the two omega boys Alined had brought.

“Oh, that’s Elena of Gawant. Haven’t you met her, yet?”

“Not really, my father hardly lets me out of the castle, because of my attitude… I’m only here, because he had to bring company…”, she explained, rolling her eyes.

“Oh?”

“You see, I can only put up with a formal facade that long. Was hard enough to play the well behaved princess around you back then… If not strictly necessary, father keeps me away from formal occasions…”, she told him with a wink, then continued to watch the blonde woman.

“I...See?”, was Arthur’s reply and he could hear Merlin’s barely concealed chuckle behind him, shooting him a glare.

“More wine, Sire?”, the servant offered, trying to stay serious, while leaning over his side with an amphora.

“Yes.”

“Great, there you go”, he smiled, pouring him more wine.

“Me, too, Merlin”, Mithian said, after he was done, so he nodded, leaned across the table, to fill her goblet as well, since he had been directly dressed.

“Of course, Milady!”, he hurriedly added.

“So, Arthur? You think, you could introduce us?”, the dark blonde woman then asked, returning to the topic, which was obviously the princess.

“Hm? To Elena? Of course!”, the prince nodded. “Merlin? Could you?”

The sorcerer nodded, went over to Elena, sitting three seats away from them and politely informed her, that the prince was looking for her company.

The woman ended her conversation immediately, stood up and came over, squeezing in between Mithion and Odin’s niece.

“You asked for me?”, she then smiled, in her sometimes a little mischievous way. And Arthur could see both women getting along quite well, now that he remembered the blonde’s attitude.

“Yes, actually it was Mithion here asking. She would like to get to know you”, he told her nonchalantly, as the brunette blushed, glaring at him.

“Oh…”, Elena made, head turning towards the other princess, attempting for a smile, but then she just stilled. Looked at her. Actually they both just looked at each other. For a long while.

“Hey, I… Nice to meet you, Princess Elena of Gawant”, the brunette finally told her with conditioned politeness. Arthur recognised it immediately. The strict following, almost clinging to protocol, he himself did, whenever he was nervous or unsure.

“Err, nice to make your acquaintance, princess Mithion of, of…”

“Nemeth”, Arthur provided helpfully.

“Yes. I knew that!”, the former changeling stated.

After a rough start, they actually got a conversation going. They talked about the banquet, about why they were here – both accompanying their fathers so they would not have to come alone – and finally came to Arthur and their relationship to him, finding out, that they actually had much in common, both being former fiancées of the prince of Camelot and somehow they ended up sharing stories about their brief engagement and how things had not worked out, soon agreeing that he was not made for marriage.

“Hey!”, the prince tried to interrupt their now lively conversation but was stopped by a hand on his shoulder and Merlin leaning over to casually ask him, if he wanted more wine. Which he agreed to.

“Leave them. They get along…”, the servant whispered while pouring the wine.

“But at the expense of my honour, apparently…”

“Want to marry one of them, then?”

“No!”

“So let them gossip. Look, how they get along. Haven’t seen either of them that relaxed, when they were with you…”

“Hey, are you siding with them now?”

“No, just telling you to leave them be…”

“I don’t like where this is going…”, the prince mumbled.

“Just be good, yes?”, the servant whispered, so only he would hear and suddenly the gossiping girls were not that interesting any more. Instead, he was suddenly quite interested in the meat on his plate. To make sure, he would not have any more inappropriate thoughts. After a few bites he turned, looked at Merlin.

“Have you…?”

“I’ll eat later, Sire”, the omega answered, before he could finish. Because he knew exactly, what his prince was trying. And he would not have him feed him in front of the court and all their guests! Definitely not! Again...

“You sure? You really should...”

“There will be enough leftovers in the kitchen. Don’t you dare!”

“C’mon? Just a few bites? One?”, the prince demanded, holding the fork with a large piece of meat in front of him.

“Arthur, stop it!”, Merlin hissed, trying to look at him angrily, while discreetly looking around at the same time, but so far no one had noticed.

“One bite?”

“Argh, fine. But if you do that again, I’ll sleep at Gaius’...”, the sorcerer threatened him, but opened his mouth obediently and took the bite from his fork, not without rolling his eyes, but fuck, this was really delicious! Absolutely on point! And still warm. Absolutely marvellous! He barely kept himself from moaning out in pleasure, eyes closed for just a second.

“Good?”, Arthur chuckled, watching him.

“Hm-m...”, the sorcerer replied. Swallowed the last bit of food. “Eat now. People might...” People indeed had already noticed. At least Mithian and Elena were no longer talking, but looking at them. So Merlin swallowed again, lips pressed together tightly. Thinking, what to say or do. Because he knew exactly, how this must look.

“So? How’s the meat, ladies?”, Arthur asked, clearing his throat, pretending, nothing out of the ordinary had happened.

“Lovely! I absolutely love that meat. Let your servant have some more, it’s such a pity to keep it all to ourselves!”, Mithian replied with a wide smile.

“I agree. When the boy enjoys it that much, just share. Good to see, you’re not that selfish any more”, Elena agreed.

“Please, have some of mine, I’m already done!”, the brunette offered and shoved her plate over to Arthur and his servant, two still untouched slices of meat on it.

“I... Thank you very much, Mildly, but...”, Merlin tried to decline politely, but Arthur pushed the plate further into his direction.

“If the Ladies insist, please”, he smiled at his servant. Passed him a fork. Now he could not decline, without being impolite and a servant never was impolite, except he was called Merlin and was dealing with an arrogant prat, but that was a completely different matter.

“Don’t be shy, Merlin. I still remember what you did, back then, and I’m grateful. You should really take the offer”, the brunette winked at him.

And he swallowed. He remembered. Back then, in Nemeth, as Uther had once again tried to marry his son off to some princess, he had tried to convince Arthur, that this would not be a good idea. Which had not gone unnoticed by the sharp and very skilled huntress. And well... In the end Arthur had listened and thus not made a grave mistake. The whole Guinevere thing had been still fresh that time, Arthur trying to get his mind off it...

And well, of course Mithian had learned about all of it and in the end even forgiven Merlin for being rude and dropping obvious hints that this was not a good idea. Arthur had not loved her the tiniest bit! And Mithian had been too kind to just marry a prat like him anyway! Also her omega pheromones had not matched Arthur’s at all!

“I, err, thank you, Milady, I really appreciate that”, he told her with a bow and placed the amphora of wine on the table. Just wanted to start eating, about to stab the meat with the fork, but Arthur was faster, taking his own knife and fork to cut the slices into smaller pieces. And Merlin seriously had to hold back, to not just kick him under the table. Which was very tempting indeed, because that made him actually look like some mistress getting served by the fucking crown prince of Camelot!

“There you go. Watch your manners, Merlin”, Arthur casually informed him, as he retreated from his plate.

“Thank you, Sire. I really appreciate your concern!”, Merlin smiled, empathizing every syllable like the most deadly curse.

“You’re very welcome. Can’t expect manners from you at all...”

With a piece of meat, he swallowed the urge to politely inform him that the could go and fuck himself. Instead he violently chewed the very tender meat that was way too tasty and definitely did not deserve such a rough treatment.

“What are you doing? Servant? Why do you eat?”, king Odin’s nephew called out, staring at Merlin with disgust.

“I invited him, Freyr. Did no one teach you that it is impolite to interrupt someone’s conversation, without an invitation?”, Mithian scolded him, looking at him, like he had just now personally insulted her.

“I, err, I, well, he’s a servant, so he shouldn’t be here, should he?”, the man tried to justify, visibly intimidated.

“This is prince Arthur’s personal manservant. And a loyal acquaintance of ours, Lord Freyr. I don’t think, you are in any place to intrude on us this rudely”, Elena chided, shaking her head.

“But, but...”

“Brother, why don’t you drink another ale? One of the lovely servants will surely pour you another goblet”, his sister, sitting between him and Elena smiled at him.

The man just nodded and called for a servant girl, demanding more alcohol, while his sister, namely Freyja, as far as Arthur had caught on so far, started a conversation with the younger boy, Alined had brought. He seemed to have decided to just ignore them.

“I’m looking forward to the tournament, actually. The day after tomorrow all of you will fight for honour! Too bad, father doesn’t let me participate myself... Must be really nice to be able to fight for your kingdom...”, Mithian then sighed, ignoring the siblings.

“Hm?”, Arthur made.

“Same here, I would have loved to try my luck in the mêlée fights, but father said, I absolutely could not, being a girl, and on top an omega...”, Elena agreed.

“You fight?”, the brunette asked, now completely ignoring Arthur, who would have liked to tell them, that it was not all that great to just exist to bring prestige to the kingdom by fighting and participating in those tournaments, but well, they now were occupied with a conversation about how unfair it was and where their strengths in combat lay, so he decided to watch his servant eat, instead.

“I’ll definitely sleep in Gaius’ quarters tonight...”, Merlin informed him between bites, feeling humiliated. But it tasted so good! And his alpha was taking care of him. Providing. And maybe he really was hungry?

“You won’t...”

He would not. And he had known from the start. After the banquet he brought his a little tipsy prince up and guided him out of the room, towards his chambers, one arm thrown around his shoulder, so he could steady him, as he dragged him along.

“I’m not drunk, I can walk on my own...”, Arthur complained, but did not struggle, actually leaned his head on his servant’s shoulder, so he could smell him better, be closer to him.

“You definitely are drunk, Sire. C’mon, let’s go, we’re almost the last ones left, you know?”, Merlin informed him, dragging him towards the door.

“Hmm... Don’t wanna. The way is so far...”

“Won’t be shorter, if you behave like a water skin. Walk on your own!”, he complained, as soon as they were out of the hall.

“But you’re warm... Can’t we... Just a little?”, Arthur asked, using his strength to manoeuvre both of them over, to the next wall, Merlin’s back ending up against it.

“If you could just wait, until we’re back... Fuck, Arthur, let go!”, the sorcerer hissed. Tried to free himself, only using his own physical strength. Which left him no chance, because his prince was fit. Strong. And stubborn. Especially stubborn...

“But I like that...”

“Arthur! Stop!”, he told him in a firm voice and actually the prince pressing him to the wall, stilled. Looked up, at him. Looking flustered, but now worry was creeping up his face.

“Hm?”, he made, not sure, what he had done wrong.

“Arthur, we can’t do this in the hallway. Come with me, I’ll bring us to our chambers, yes? I’m not saying ‘no’, ‘kay?”

“Hm, ‘kay, but you’re... Love your smell...”

“I’ll let you smell it, while you lean against me, okay? Come. Your bed’s waiting...”, the omega told him and gently disentangled himself. Resuming their former position, leading him further, across the corridors, through the well-known labyrinth of hallways.

Until they both heard a voice close by. A giggling. And drunk Arthur, still with the reflex of a fighter, pulled Merlin out of the way, behind a statue, holding his hand over his mouth. Suddenly feeling much more sober, than before.

“Hm?”, Merlin made, almost voiceless, waiting for what would happen, because, he had no idea. He had just been abducted behind a statue, but his prince showed no intention of actually continuing the assault from before, so he started paying attention to his surroundings. Heard it as well. Another giggle.

“Shht....”, Arthur whispered into his ear.

“We shouldn’t, definitely shouldn’t....”, a small voice whispered. Steps came closer and another giggle.

“No one will ever find out...”, another voice replied. Not much louder.

“Okay, fuck it. One more kiss....”, the first voice seemed to agree. And then there was the sound of something hitting firm stone. Remembering his own very recent encounter with the stone wall of the citadel, Merlin was certain, what that sound was.

“Two? Three?”, the other voice suggested. And then there were sounds, so very close to the statue, that was hiding them – some ancestor, as far as Arthur was aware – very unique sounds, they both were familiar with. But well, whoever that was, did, what they had talked about.

“Have you been here before? Know some quiet place? Wouldn’t want to stop...”, voice two wanted to know.

“Been so long... We’ll figure something out?”

“Good plan... Like your plans, knew you had it in you...”

“Come, this is a castle, there are servants everywhere....”, the first voice urged. And then a figure passed the statue. Holding another figure’s wrist, pulling them with them, away.

Both, alpha and omega, looked after the figures in the poorly lit corridor. No wonder, they had not noticed.

“Was that...?”, Merlin whispered against his alpha’s hand.

“Yep. Definitely them... So? We had something to continue, as well?”, the prince suggested, definitely sobered up by now.

“In your chambers, idiot...”, the sorcerer demanded, shoving away his hand. Arthur let him. And they both hurried to the prince’s chambers, where they actually not quite continued, what they had had in mind, but they did have a lovely snogging session, before falling asleep in each others’ arms, actually very tired.

The next day they would rest, before in the late afternoon all the participants of the tournament would be introduced in a formal ceremony. Merlin would be there as well, as Arthur’s manservant, dressing him up for the occasion. And of course, the other knights would be present as well and he would wish them all luck. Because he would cheer for all of them, of course.

“Are you worried about you mate?”, Morgana asked, as she carefully burned the herbs over the fire of the candle.

Gwen, sitting a few metres away from her, nodded. She was staying with her while the tournament lasted, since her mate would be with the knights anyway. She thought the house too big and empty without him

“Don’t worry. He won’t get hurt...”, the witch told her, watching the flames eat up the gift. Then she mumbled a few words, she had heard in one of her dreams, her visions, not long ago. Using what she had learned from Gaius. After Nimueh had put a spell on Uther, she would do, what she could. Just to make sure.

“I really hope so, Milady, you see... I’m a bit anxious...”, Gwen admitted, watching her. Not knowing, what her Lady was doing, but trusting her with all she had. Because she was loyal. And certain, whatever Morgana did, it would not cause any real harm for Camelot. Maybe minor inconveniences.

“I know, I know... I heard, it could get like that, when your body is exposed to that many alpha pheromones after taking suppressants for a while... When do you expect your heat?”, the witch wanted to know casually, closing the pendant, she was wearing around her neck. It had a small, almost fragile mirror inside. And the ashes of the burnt herbs. She had repeated this ritual every evening, before going to bed. Had done so for a few weeks now.

“I...I have no idea, yet. Gaius said, anytime is possible. Some omegas need almost a whole year, some go into heat, just a few weeks after they stop taking the suppressants...”, the maidservant told her.

“I see. Actually I already expected you, to... But it doesn’t always work that fast, does it?”

“Haven’t taken them since we actually moved in, together. Talked about that and well... We’re waiting... I hope, I’ll notice in time...”

“You’re prepared. And you listen to your body. Also others would probably be able to smell, when you’re close. I would tell you, you know? I really don’t think, it’ll just start in the middle of the tournament... Is that, what you worry about?”

“Actually... Yes?”, the dark tanned woman admitted, blushing.

“That won’t happen. You’ll notice on time, take some days off with your Lancelot and make sure to make some cute little pups. And even if not, make sure you’ll have a lot of fun”, Morgana told her with a bright smile.

“Milady!”

“What? You want pups together. I’m cheering here. Wanna be an aunt!”

“You’ll be, anyway, thanks to what you did...”, Gwen accused her. Because she had found out only recently and now could hardly just let it slide.

“I... I know, it was not my brightest idea, but really: would you have come up with anything better? This would have gone on for decades, without that sleight of hand move....”

“No, probably not, but... Did you really need to go that far?”

“Do you really think, I calculated that THIS would happen? I didn’t even know, Merlin actually could! Only figured things out along the way! I already said, it wasn’t that smart... But I’m doing, what I can!”, the king’s ward defended herself.

“I can see that, but... I really hope, thing’s won’t get worse...”

“My sister’s somehow involved in all of this. How much worse do you think, things could get?”

“I don’t want people to die...”

“Me neither. And I told you, Lancelot will be fine! I’m certain. I feel it. We just need to see to the rest...”

“Yes, Milady...”, Gwen sighed. Because, what else could they do? They only had faint visions, shadows of a possible future, to work with. Not an actual plan. Morgana was just doing, what she could from her position. Because, in one way or another all of this was kind of her fault. Because Morgause was alive. Because the situation was, as it was. And she was doing, what she could, to prevent the worst. Whatever that might be.

Chapter Text

The rulers of the seven kingdoms and their company were sitting on the big platform, that had been erected just for the purpose of observing the tournament, the crowd standing beside it. Uther was sitting on a big throne, right in the middle, Morgana next to him. The place directly to his right was empty and would hopefully be for the rest of the tournament, built, just to show that his son, the crown prince had his place, but was still fighting for Camelot.

Next to the empty seat, there sat Cendred , in front of him the cousin he had brought. Next to her, there were Odin’s niece and nephew, because the king of Cornwall was sitting beside Cendred. Next to him, sat Alined, with his omega boys. They still had not completely figured out their relationship status. And on the last seat, furthest away from the king of Camelot, there sat Bayard with his wife.

On Uther’s other side, next to Morgana, there sat Godwyn and Rodor, their girls in front of them, both smiling brightly. They all were waiting for the knights to be introduced. Most names would be forgotten the moment, they were spoken, since about half of them would be eliminated by the first discipline, tomorrow afternoon.

Merlin stepped out of if the small tent at the side of the tournament ground. A whole tent-city had been built for just a few days. Most fractions had two tents, because one could barely hold five men and their armour and weapons, just Camelot had three, one for Arthur alone. Since he was the prince and all...

The sorcerer stretched. He had just finished dressing his prince in private, maybe also kissed him good luck, not that it was necessary for just an introduction, and was now on his way, to the platform. As Arthur’s personal manservant he was allowed to wait right beside it, not in the crowd, together with Gwen and a few squires.

But he did not come that far. As he made his way across the campgrounds, passing the horses being lead to their stables and armoured knights, he suddenly got grabbed by the wrist, by a firm, plated hand and pulled behind one of the tents. His first instinct was, to shout, to defend himself, but he hesitated. Something in him told him, not to, so, well, this part was now fighting with the upcoming panic of a pregnant omega defending their baby.

“Shht!”, the person abducting him hissed, pressing a hand over his mouth, so that even if he wanted to, he could not scream. So he got dragged away, behind one of the wooden makeshift stables, still not sure, what to do.

In the back of his mind, he searched for a spell that would let him escape the situation, without drawing too much attention.

“Finally…”, the person sighed and stilled. Merlin tried to take in, what he could find out. The person was a knight. In black armour. So one of Cendred’s men? An alpha? Well, he was a knight, most knights were alphas. He was not very big, about Merlin’s size, as far as he could see with the helmet.

“Hn-m?!”, the sorcerer tried to voice. Glaring at the knight. Who would abduct a poor servant, right before the great introduction started? Would… Oh fuck, was this alpha trying to blow off some steam?! No! No, no, no, no, no! Panic rose inside him. Well, he was apparently just a beta, but probably no one would believe a servant, when they accused a knight of assault or… Rape? Was he about to get…?

He panicked. Heart beating faster, eyes widening. Fuck! This was not going to happen! He had to protect himself! The baby!

With a sudden outbreak of power, his magic made itself known, raced through him, prickled in his fingertips and erupted. Sent the knight flying, off him, onto the ground with a loud noise, because the plate armour was hardly quiet.

“Urgh, fuck, Emrys!”, the knight cursed, trying to get back up, which was not that easy, he had to roll to the side first.

“Mordred?!”, Merlin whisper-shouted, recognising the voice. The panic left him, the tingling subsided, because… Okay, Mordred was not a safe person to be around, but at least a familiar one. If he really had wanted to attack him, he would have used magic, not physical strength.

“Shht, not so loud!”, the knight hissed, still struggling with getting back up.

The servant stared at him for a moment, watched him, as he slowly calmed. Mordred. It was Mordred. A familiar face, well not face, since he did not see his face at all, but a familiar person.

“What were you trying?”, he asked, stepping closer. Taking a breath. Then he stretched out his hand to help him.

Mordred took it and let himself get pulled up. With the help of a little magic, because an armoured knight was fucking heavy!

“Talking to you…”

“Well, then don’t just attack me!”

“Sorry, but…”, the druid looked around. “Can’t be seen…”

“Hm… What are you doing here?”

“Apparently, trying to kill the prince…”, he admitted, to Merlin’s utter horror.

“No!”

“Yes… It’s a little complicated, you see?”

“I guess so…”

“Is there a way to stop Arthur from competing?”

“Guess..”, Merlin sighed, rolling his eyes.

“Not in a million years?”

“Exactly. So you are trying to kill him during the tournament?”

“Not only me… About half the men competing will try to get rid of him… Morgause set a pretty high reward for his head…”

“You serious?”, the sorcerer hissed. Great. This was just great… Everyone trying to kill Arthur was hardly news, but he was not too eager to protect his sorry ass in front of half Albion.

“Yes… Actually yes…”

“Why didn’t you tell me before, I mean…?”, he asked, pointing at his head.

“Morgause doesn’t trust me one single bit. She’s keeping my magic under her control…”, Mordred explained.

“Okay?”

“That’s why I can’t take off my armour right now…”

“Hm… Sounds comfortable…”

“Not at all…”

“So? What can I prepare myself for? Any more magic users? Curses? Deadly weapons?”, Merlin wanted to know, leaning against the wall of the stable.

“Not as far as I know… But that doesn’t mean a thing…”

“I see… So, you’re telling me, because…?”

“I don’t hate Arthur. I mean, he made sure, I could leave Camelot unharmed and all… Wouldn’t want him to just… I mean, he can’t bring back magic, when he’s dead…”, the druid explained with a shrug.

“Makes sense… So you still hold on to the prophecy, then?”

“I do. As did Nimueh. Just Morgause wants to take things in her own hands…”

“Why did you even side with them?”

“Back then, Arthur seemed not really fit for the throne and Uther’s an ass. Nimueh was not wrong with her hatred…”

“The ‘was’ implies, that you’re not on her side, any more, either?”

“Well, she left after summoning the serpent and trying to get Morgana and Arthur mated. Told Morgause to fuck herself, that the prophecy would be fulfilled and then, she was gone…”, Mordred said. “Since she was quite sure, I had betrayed her then, Morgause made sure, I’d stay with her… Which leads to the current…”

The sound of trumpets interrupted them. Made both of them turn in unison.

“Fuck!”, Mordred muttered. “I need to go…”

“Same…”

“I’ll try to fetch you again?”

“Fine… But don’t surprise me like that ever again, otherwise you might end up worse”, Merlin explained.

“You won’t kill me?”

“I might”, the sorcerer smirked, then waved at the druid knight and off he was, taking his position by the platform, greeting an already impatient Gwen.

“Where’ve you been?”, she whispered, as they both looked over the barrier, shielding the spectators from the combatants.

“Got lost. Did I miss anything?”, he replied.

“Not yet, they’re gonna march in any moment. Arthur had looked here thrice already…”

“Fuck, yes. I’m here now…”

He was. And just in time, because only seconds later, the first group of knights entered the field. Arthur and his knights, all wearing their gear, the prince holding a flag with the emblem of Camelot, the Pendragon insignia, on it, marched onto the field in lockstep, as they had trained before.

And of course, even with the helmet on, Merlin could feel his alpha’s gaze on him. Returned it and tried to assure him, that everything was fine. He was fine. They all would be fine. Because – of course – he would not let anyone kill the prince!

“Greetings to the king of Camelot, host of the Great Tournament of Albion. We, the knights of Camelot, are here to bring honour to our king and kingdom!”, Arthur said in a loud, clear voice. Bowed to his father and king, as did the other knights behind him.

“Greeting to you, knights of Camelot!”, Uther replied. Then they stepped to the side and the trumpets sounded again, announcing the next group.

The knights of Nemeth entered the field, marched toward the platform. The one holding the flag, repeated what Arthur had said, then they stepped to the side. Next were Cornwall’s knights, then Ecetir’s followed, then Mercia’s, then Gawant’s.  And as the all stood, lined up in front of the platform, a man with a big scroll emerged from somewhere behind the platform, bowed to the rulers, then harrumphed and took in air.

“Honourable rulers of Albion, I, will hereby announce the participants of the Great tournament! Please step forward, as I call your name! The crowd is allowed, to cheer for you, until you step back in line!”, the man exclaimed in a very loud, well trained voice, so everyone heard him. The place was not as crowded, as it was expected to be for the tournament itself, but many people were here today to look at the participants.

“I hereby announce, Arthur Pendragon, prince of Camelot!”, the man declared, so Arthur stepped forward, bowed to the rulers on the platform, briefly looked at his omega, who was sure, he was sending him a smile under the helmet, before he stepped back.

The next one was Leon, and then followed the others.

So many names and titles passed, Merlin was sure, he would probably remember only two or three at all. When the dark knight, supposedly Mordred, was announced, he was surprised, to have him introduced as Sir Morthian, but all the others just came and bowed and passed. And then after a long while, finally the last knight had been introduced and everyone was visibly exhausted.

And for the first time in a while, Merlin felt his feet. Not hurting, but he had the urge, to move. He had been standing here with Gwen for what felt like hours. So he was glad, when it finally was over. At least for the day.

“There you are!”, Arthur greeted him, as Merlin entered his tent.

“There I am”, the sorcerer repeated, ready to help him with his armour.

“Where were you?”

“Hm? I’ve been watching you?”

“No, I mean before. After you left. You were late, weren’t you?”, the blonde confronted him, displeased. Almost pouting. These days it was hard for his alpha, to let him go. He was very protective, when he could not be around and Merlin was not in his nest, err,  chambers. Which was not good, he was aware of this! But he could not help it! His mate was pregnant!

“Yes? I checked on your horse, before”, the dark-haired told him. Not quite a lie. He had been at the stables. And he would definitely check on his goods more often, now that he knew fore sure, something was up! Before every discipline,  minimum.

“You did?”

“What, if someone was messing with it? The tournament would be a great opportunity to make you lose your face, hm?”, he told him, because… It was not that unlikely. And he should probably not tell him, someone was about to assassinate him. That had never been a good idea, he knew from experience.

“You think, someone would cheat?”

“Of course! Isn’t the first time! You need to watch out a little. People play unfair all the time!”, he said, because that sounded a lot better than ‘Probably half of our visitors might try to kill you, to collect some kind of bounty’ and was actually more believable. Well, it was not like he could do anything to stop his alpha from participating. He had stopped trying to save him like that ages ago. Had never worked out, so why tell him, at all? He was used to dealing with those things by himself, anyway. So he would just do, what he had done for years and safe his prince’s back. Or ass. Or both. Probably both!

“I see! You think, they really would?”

“You never know... Best tell your knights, to double check their gear, before riding in tomorrow. I’ll do the same with yours. And check the horses again”, the sorcerer nodded. Because... Well, either Arthur would not believe him – which Merlin did not think, after all that had happened so far – or laugh it off, tell him, he would not get killed and that would probably be the exact reason why it would work, in the end. Arthur was notoriously reckless.

“That’s a good idea. Thank you, Merlin. For watching out...”, the prince smiled at him, stepping closer. Placing a kiss onto his lips. Just a peck, a very gentle one.

And instantly, the sorcerer felt bad. He hated it, not to be able to tell him, now that they did not have any secrets. But... It was for the best. Yes, yes, it had to be.

“Would you undress me, now? I really want to get out, after this... You have no idea, how tense I feel, after this ceremony...”, Arthur sighed.

“Well, yes, I can imagine...”, his omega nodded. And stepped closer. Kissed him gently, then started unlacing him. Taking off the tension with the armour.

“You think, the mêlée will be fine?”, the prince wanted to know with another sigh.

“You’ll be fine. Don’t think, you’ll opt out, no matter what, so... I think, you’ll win this...”, Merlin assured him.

“That’s right. I can’t. And I won’t. I mean, why should I? If someone cheats, I’ll make sure, to kick their ass extra hard”, the alpha told him with a confident grin.

Well, yes, maybe this was the reason why Merlin was keeping this from him. Otherwise he might kick everyone’s ass. And be more than hyper aware of his fellow combatants. He did not want a nervous alpha out there on the field. Well, no, Arthur would not be nervous. He was way too used to fighting, to be nervous, but he would act differently, nonetheless. Also, he did not even know yet, what was going on. At first he needed to see, what would happen, because Mordred had been pretty vague… He needed to sort out what the druid had said, anyway.

“Of course, you would…”, he replied to his alpha, standing behind him, pressing a gentle kiss to the nape of his neck.

“I… Can I make a request, tonight?”

“Everything. Anything…”, he mumbled against his neck.

“… I… I want to bite you… More than before…”

“Want to… Do that?”, he wanted to know. Unsure, what to reply, because they had talked about that, they had wanted it, but… This was a little sudden. Not that he did not want, no, he had insisted in the first place, but a little warning would have been nice…

“Well… Yes, no, I mean… Not that much, but I really want to feel your neck. I want to leave marks. It would bee to obvious, to just do the other – not that I don’t want, of course! – but I really want to feel you…”, the prince tried to explain, while the last parts of his armour dropped onto the floor.

“I see…”, Merlin mumbled, embracing him from behind. “You can. Of course you can… Hold me as close as you want…”

“My love…”, Arthur whispered. Feeling him pressed against him. His warmth. And the growing firmness of his belly against his back. “My omega…”

“Yours…”

The next day, Merlin readied his prince, neckerchief tied around his neck tightly, for obvious reasons. He was wearing some more than obvious bite marks, right beside his scent glands. Arthur, too, by the way, but his were obviously hidden by his armour, so he did not need to be concerned during the tournament. He was not planning to lose in the first round, after all!

“Hmm…”, the alpha almost purred, leaning over to him, as he tied the last laces. “I can still smell myself on you…”

“Pretty full of yourself, hm?”, Merlin smiled, but bared his neck to let him smell more. Make him inhale his scent, before he would recast his spell to mask it. And Arthurs pheromones with them. For obvious reasons.

“Always… Mine…”, Arthur growled, playfully nibbling at his neck, before reluctantly letting go. “I’ll have to warm up with the knights…”

“I know… Let me check on the horses. I’ll be in the crowd again…”

“Will you cheer for me?”

“You don’t deserve it, but I might…”, the sorcerer chuckled, teasingly.

“I’ll ride for you. There will be no winner in this round, but if I dismount the most, will there be a reward?”

“Are you asking me for something naughty?”

“Maybe?”

“We’ll see… Can’t offer you a kiss in front of the crowd, can?”

“No, but… At dinner. Come with me to dinner? You skipped, yesterday…”

“Hmm… I don’t like it. You’re always trying to feed me and there are so many people… I don’t even like them…”, Merlin pouted.

“Please?”

“Hmm.. Okay, if you really dismount the most knights… If not, I’ll stay in your chambers and wait for you!”

“Sounds just as endearing… But if I have to suffer, bear it with me…”

“You yourself said, you don’t want anyone to take a too close look at me and my… Condition…” They had had this talk before. While Arthur loved to have Merlin around, he had to make sure, no one was getting too close to him, for, then they might see the change, the obvious signs of his pregnancy. Just yesterday they had discussed that again and agreed on it, that while it was okay for Merlin, to act as his shadow during the day, a banquet would be crowded and people obviously were not too fond of him. The other omegas were not, aside from Elena and Mitian, of course. And if someone would accidentally bump into him… Well, no. They did not want that.

That was why he had stayed where he was, yesterday after the opening ceremony. No, actually he had been down, in the armoury, to check all the weapons and gear, then been to the stables again, to make sure, the horses were fine. Had done so with his magic, and again by hand. But so far, he had not seen anything out of the ordinary. That was good. So far. He would need to check again.

“I know, what I said, but I missed you… So much...”,  the spoilt prat that happened to be the crown prince of Camelot replied.

“Hm… Okay, fine. But I’ll stay right behind you. And no feeding! Swear!”, Merlin sighed, as his prince stepped closer again, nose rubbing over the sensitive skin of his neck.

“Hmmm… I swear, fine, fine…”, Arthur mumbled. Then let go again. “I need to go…”

“It’s getting late…”, the sorcerer agreed. Then Arthur grabbed helmet and sword, turned to him once again and then, left the tent.

Merlin sighed. Straightened his clothes and cast his spell. He loved the scent of his alpha, but if he did not do anything about the pheromones left on him, half the castle would know. Since there were so many alphas present at the moment. Even more, than usual. And of course they would suspect, even if he was masking his own scent. There was no rational explanation for him being this drenched in alpha pheromones!

He stepped out as well and blinked, because it was midday and the sun was bright. Then he stretched. Stilled, because this was quite a disadvantageous position. And rearranged himself again. Looked around, but no one was paying him any attention. Knights and squires hurried between the tents, all very busy. That was good.

So he made his way over to the stables, where their knights kept their horses. There were three different makeshift stables with about ten to fifteen horses, each. He had checked on all of them yesterday. Today he would only check on their own.

Well, he planned to, but then he was grabbed by the wrist and dragged off the makeshift path, behind the stable. Again. This time he had an idea, what the cause was, and yet his magic reacted. As soon, as he got pressed behind the wooden wall, he felt the pressure on his body forcefully relieve, the dark knight who had pulled him here, had tried to press him against the wall was sent flying across the grass, landing with a loud clanking sound. Cursing.

“Fuck, Emrys!”, he hissed, holding his head. Helmet.

“Told you, not to surprise me!”, the omega explained, but stepped closer and offered his hand to pull him up.

“No need, to be on edge like that. I won’t attack you…”

“You pretty much did…”

“Well… Maybe? Not exactly?”

“Mordred, you snatched me away, pressed me against the wall and… Fuck, just don’t do it, okay?”

“Got that… Why?”

“Because I don’t like it?”

“Okay, okay…”

“So? Any news?”

“Hardly. They’ll try to stab him, I guess. Or mess with his saddle. Would be the least obvious strategies. Morgause hasn’t spoken to us, since we arrived…”

“Will you try it, too?”

“I’ll try to dismount him. Since this is what the tournament is about. When he can’t participate, he can’t be killed…”

“That’s a valid argument… So, you really won’t kill him?”

“I… I’m not sure about all of this. I mean, I want to bring magic back. Desperately. And if it meant, killing Uther, I wouldn’t even hesitate, but Arthur… He has his moments, I guess…”, Mordred shrugged.

“So your goal really is, to bring it back?”

“Of course! Magic is a part of me. I want the suffering to end for all of us. I want to be allowed to exist. I want to be free….”

“We all want that, Mordred….”

“But… Will Arthur actually be able, to do it? Is he even willing, to?”, the druid wanted to know.

“He is… And well, I guess Nimueh saw that, as well, though the whole situation was a little…”, Merlin explained and blushed, as he remembered their encounter. And what had followed.

“Yes? Do you actually know, why she stood us up?”

“Well… Yes…”, he admitted.

“Why? Do you know things about the prophecy?”

“Not quite, just… Arthur will bring magic back. He doesn’t hate it. I can assure you!”

“Really?”

“Yes…”, the servant replied with a smile. Because he was certain. So very certain.

“Okay?”, the knight made, tilted his head as far as his armour would allow.

“He’ll bring it back…”

“Does he… Know?”, Mordred carefully asked, pointing at the servant.

“Actually, yes…”

“Does he know about her, too?”

“She hasn’t told him, yet. But I don’t think, he’d judge her, after all that happened…”

“I see… Didn’t expect that… When I left, he was still…”

“An absolute prick?”

“Yes.”

“He changed a lot. Over time in general, but over the last year or so he made huge progress… He’s still a prat, though…”

“You sound pretty fond of him…”

“Hm? Not at all. He’s awful!”

“You sure?” Merlin was certain, he could see the druid smirk under the helmet.

“Very sure!”

“You like him, don’t you?”

“Shall we talk about your crush on Morgana?”, the sorcerer threatened him, instead of answering the question.

“We could. I’m not ashamed of that. I confessed in front of the king, didn’t I?”, Mordred remembered.

“Something like that…”

“So? About you and Arthur? You’ve always cherished him. I mean, takes a lot to actually believe in that arrogant prat…”

“I actually hate, that I can’t disagree…”

“So? You and him? Is that the reason, why you’re so certain, he’ll accept magic?”

“So? What’s Morgause actually planning? Why kill Arthur? Thought, She’d aim at Uther, as well…”, Merlin refused to answer, redirecting the topic.

“When Arthur’s dead, Uther doesn’t have a heir. So he needs to acknowledge Morgana officially. Once he does, she has the right to claim the throne. After that, Uther would be useless, but if she killed him before, she could not prove, Morgana was his daughter… So? Will I get an answer?”

“No. I won’t answer that stupid question… So, if you’d excuse me now? I still need to actually check on the horses!”

“Emrys! That’s not fair!”

“I need to be back, soon. If he doesn’t see me in the crowd… For get it. I need to go!”

“Emrys!”

“Bye!”

As the black knight stepped back out from between the tents, away from the stable, three plated figures eyed him suspiciously.

“Calm….”, one mumbled in a soothing voice, ready to grab the shoulder of the other one. Just in case. But the one he had talked to, did not reply.

Was quiet for a while and then, finally spoke. “Lets go…”

So, they went.

After checking on the horses and repairing three saddle straps, that had obviously been cut, by using a quick spell, Merlin made his way, back to the platform, where he would watch the match, next to Gwen, who was definitely cheering for her husband.

“There you are! The ladies already asked for you”, she greeted him, pointing her head towards the platform, where three pairs of eyes turned towards him.

“Okay?”

“Here, bring them some water”, she offered him a pitcher filled with water. Well after all, they both were servants. So it was pretty much their job, to serve.

He nodded and went over to the ladies Elena and Mithian, nodding towards Morgana, as he poured them both some water.

“Exited already, Merlin?”, the blonde asked.

“Or do you wish to see your prince fall off the horse?”, the brunette added. They were getting along well. Too well. But well, after what the two men had witnessed…

“Wouldn’t wish for that…”, he told them, honestly, because while he liked to tease his prince and would probably laugh, if he ever fell off his horse, he did not actually want him, to lose.

“I see… Well, he’s not too bad on horseback, just a bit slow…”, Elena chuckled.

“I see, you Ladies are obviously cheering for your knights?”, he asked.

“Of course! Can’t have them lose! Our men are strong”, the brunette added.

“Of course. So? May the best fighter win?”, he offered with a smile.

“I would have beaten him…”

“Me too…”

Both women agreed on this. And Merlin nodded. Because, what could he say? He had seen, that Mithian was a good hunter. Probably she would have beaten Arthur with the bow easily. And Elena was a marvellous rider. So he just smiled and took a breath, already about to turn around. But the he stilled. Sniffed the air again. And looked at the brunette princess. Confused. Because he could not clearly identify that smell that was coming from her. Under the layers of omega pheromones there was a new nuance. Strong. Musk. It made him frown and hurriedly look away, as she caught his stare.

”I’ll be off, won’t disturb you any further, Miladies”, he mumbled, before he left, returned to Gwen’s side. But could not stop himself from carefully looking over to Mithian, who caught his gaze, eyebrows raising.

“What’s wrong Merlin? This is clearly your ‘something’s wrong’-look....”, the maidservant wanted to know.

“I... I don’t know... Something’s... I mean, did you notice anything about Mithian?”

“The brunette? Hm... Dunno. Seems close to the blonde one. Passed them in the hallway just yesterday, giggling like some teenagers up to no good... They must have been friends for ages...”, Gwen told him.

“They just met at the banquet... They... They’re both omegas, aren’t they?”, the sorcerer wanted to confirm.

“I... Guess so?”

“Good. Very good. Just fine.... Hmm...”, he made and before she could ask any further questions, the trumpets sounded and the horses rode in. Thirty-six in total, with armoured knights in their backs, swords to their sides.

This time they were not introduced again, just the fractions were called and bowed in front of the king and the other rulers.

Then they were asked, to spread on the field and draw their swords and at the sound of another trumpet, they all started riding. Fighting against each other, trying to shove the others off their horses. Of course without harming the animals!

One could clearly see, which knights teamed up and which fought on their own, trying to dismount everyone around them.

Arthur and his knights clearly had each others’ backs, just like Nemeth’s. The knights of Cornwall and Ecetir clearly did not care, who they attacked, so they even dismounted their own people. Gawant’s knights soon saw, which strategy  seemed more successful and after losing two knights, they stayed together. Mercia’s knights clearly saw, what was going on but did not seem able to set a strategy.

The whole fight took about an hour, then Uther called an end to it, number decreased to eighteen knights. For Camelot there were still four, Elyan having gotten caught in a surprise attack right at the beginning, while Percival had forcefully been dismounted, right before Uther had called an end to the fight. With this, they seemed to be the best fraction. Ecetir, Nemeth and Gawant all had three knights left, while Cornwall  and Deorham only had two more participants, Mercia’s knights decreased to only one.

During the battle, several people had made more or less obvious attempts to attack Arthur, but either him or his knights, had foreseen the attack and countered it. So Merlin, who had been pretty anxious in the beginning, worried something still actually would happen to his alpha, now was quite relaxed and just happy for his prince and Camelot. Grinning widely. He was one of those, who shouted and cheered the loudest, as those, still on horseback, were declared the winners of the round.

And, well... It actually looked like Arthur himself had dismounted five people in total... Which was more than everyone else, who was still in game. But Merlin could worry about what that meant, later. Right now he had to keep himself from running onto the field, towards his alpha to hug and kiss and congratulate him. He was so happy!

Arthur was fine! Alive and well! And he really had been the best, thanks to his knights! He had nearly lost his one-on-one fight against one of the dark knights, though, but Uther had interrupted them and thus ended their match.

Merlin was once again stunned by his alpha’s skills. Which – of course – he would not tell him. Ego and such...

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“Good luck...”, Merlin smiled, kissing his prince. He had finished dressing him for the last round of the tournament and was now appreciating his work. Arthur looked good. He always looked good. But today he seemed to look even more beautiful.

Merlin had taken very good care of his alpha, after he they had been done that night. He had cleaned him up, applied a salve to his butt to prevent it becoming sore and had cuddled with him until they had both woken up. Way too late for breakfast, actually, but he had still gotten some bits and bites from the kitchen, because he was well liked by the staff. And when he had arrived back in their room, a very settled and confident Arthur had awaited him.

“I don’t need luck. I’ll win this round. I’ve got a plan...”, the prince assured him, confident as always. Had been since then. Like he had come to some kind of conclusion for himself.

“You have?”

“Yes, we’ll expose Morgause somehow and then I’ll demand the king’s favour, everything will work out....”, he told him with a smirk.

“Okay?”

“Don’t worry, no one’s gonna harm me. I won’t die that easily...”

“I... See?”, Merlin mumbled, not sure what to think about his alpha’s change of mind.

“Go with the knights. Cheer for me and we’ll see...”

“I don’t know, what exactly I broke last night, but I think, I might not like what you’re planning...”

“Hey, you didn’t break a thing... I’ve just come to terms with a few things, after... Well, after this. Don’t worry, okay?”, Arthur assured him.

“Fine. I’ll try not to worry. So don’t die on me, okay? Until now things have been way too easy. I have a bad feeling...”

“Merlin?”

“Yes?”

“Go now. And watch me closely!”

“Yes, Sire...”, the omega sighed and left the tent. Four knights already waiting. He nodded at them and they started moving. Well, Gwaine, Percival and Elyan did. Leon would accompany Arthur and join them later.

“Ready for the last round?”, the shortest of the knights greeted him.

“Yes. I’m nervous... Fuck, I’m actually scared...”, Merlin admitted, as they moved between the tents.

“It’s our assassins’ last chance...”, Elyan nodded.

“Yes, and that witch hasn’t shown her face either....”, Percival sighed, looking around, like he would just stumble upon her.

“Exactly, I have a very bad feeling about this...”, the sorcerer admitted with a sigh. Looked around, like his friend did, and actually something caught his eyes. A dark armour, sneaking around by the stable.

“Guys? Can you already go ahead? I’ll be right with you...”, he told the knights, already making the first steps to hurry after the figure.

“Hey, Merls! What’s going on?”, Gwaine wanted to know.

“Trust me, I need to check something. Go!”, Merlin urged them and then, he was gone.

Three knights stared in the direction he had vanished, then shrugged.

“He knows, what he’s doing?”, Elyan asked.

“Well, I admit, I have no idea....”, was Percival’s reply.

“Did you see that guy? Well, I guess, we’ll find out soon enough. Let’s go...”, Gwaine noted. And then they actually started moving towards the fighting ground, where the jousting would take place and took their seats beside the platform. Most rulers were already present. Only Alined and Cendred’s cousin were still not there, but they still had a few minutes.

“Mordred!”, Merlin whisper-shouted, as he entered the stable.

“She’ll try to use a spell on Arthur! And she’ll release my magic at some point, so I can actually kill him. Merlin, she’s furious!”, the druid replied, standing directly in front of him. And he seemed scared. As afraid as Merlin had never seen him. And only had heard him once, as a voice inside his head, weeks ago.

“Fuck! I, I didn’t... Arthur’s not immune to enchantments!”, the sorcerer realised, eyes going wide.

“You’ll need to keep him away from any kind of suspicious person.  I think, she’s brewed some kind of tincture...”, Mordred told him.

“Arthur’s with Leon. No one’s getting close to him. I hope... I really hope....”, Merlin said, nervously biting his lip. “Anything else? Do you know, where she’s hiding?”

“Absolutely no clue. But she has to be close....”

“I know! Fuck! This is... I... I think, I’ll need to be there. I need to keep an eye on him. I’ll figure something out on the go. Just, please. Don’t kill him, Mordred. Please?!”, he whispered, looking at him. Pleading. Still biting his lower lip nervously.

“I... I don’t plan to. Okay? I won’t kill your alpha. Can’t give you more than my word, though...”, the druid sighed.

“I’ll take your word. I’ll take whatever. I... I need to go. Okay?”

“Go. The horses will be fine. I checked on them...”

“Fine... Thanks, Mordred....”, Merlin mumbled, now tasting blood. Fuck, he had bitten his lip too hard!  But he had no time to care about this the tournament would start any minute now. Soon someone would come, to lead the horses to the battleground.

Arthur bit his tongue, standing very still. Watching his omega leave the stable, lips swollen. Only seconds after, the dark knight left, as well. And he felt his chest tightening. Anger rising inside him. Rage.

He stared into nowhere. Leon behind him. He was so deep in his head, all of a sudden, all kinds of scenarios playing behind his eyes, that he did not notice the ruckus going on, right in front of him. He was only pulled out of his state of mind, as something bumped into him. Someone, to be precise.

He stumbled backwards, as something broke against his armour. Blinked. And took in what was going on. A fine Lady – Cendred’s cousin, he recalled – had bumped into him. Or rather had been pushed into him by a knight in full armour. Odin’s, as far as Arthur could tell. The man looked shocked. Hurriedly apologized and then was gone. The woman straightened her dress and looked at the mess she had created.

“Oh no, please excuse me, Sire”, she gasped, stepping back. Arthur’s armour was covered by something wet. Smelling strongly. A perfume, he guessed.

“No, no, nevermind. May I ask, what happened?”

“I was late for the tournament, wanting to wish our knight good luck, but this rude... Person suddenly grabbed me and I tried to get away from him. I am so sorry, Milord! Is there anything I can do?”, she asked, pulling out a handkerchief to wipe his chest plate.

“No, it’s alright. No harm done”, Arthur assured her with a friendly smile and stepped out of her reach.

“Please excuse us, Milady. The prince needs to get ready. Please take your seat, the tournament will start any moment now”, Leon told the lady, bowed to her, then pulled Arthur towards the fighting ground. Because duty. He could not let him alone with anyone suspicious!

“There you are!”, Gwaine greeted Merlin, as he joined them, leaning against the balustrade. The place had been transformed into a perfect arena with a large bar in the middle, just over night. He appreciated the work, then, looking around, checked the crowd. Alined took his place. And a few minutes later, Cendred’s cousin joined them as well. And as soon as the trumpets sounded, Leon popped up next to them.

“Urgh...”, Merlin made, smelling the air. Then he looked at the head of the knights. “What happened to you?”, he asked.

“Nothing at all. I should be the one, asking you...”, Leon replied, looking him up and down, eyes resting on his reddened lower lip.

“What?”

“That knight. You’ve been with him. Again. What were you two doing?”, he asked the servant.

“Knight? Oh. You saw us? Fuck!”, Merlin cursed. Took in more of the displeasing scent and stuck up his nose in disgust.

“Yes? So? You’re not being unfaithful, are you?”, Leon asked.

“What?! No! Where’s that coming from?!”

“Saw you in quite compromising situations. Gwaine’d be proud...”

“What?!”

“Be honest. Are you doing anything like that to Arthur?!”

“Never! He’s on our side! He’s the one knowing about Morgause!”, Merlin told him, trying to lean closer, so no one would know. But the scent was disgusting, making his stomach turn.

“Really? So you’re not cheating?”

“Never!”

Their conversation was interrupted by the start of the first round. Mordred would ride against the knight of Cornwall. Trying to push the other off the horse with the lance. They were carrying their swords for decorative reasons, because usually the one who fell would not be able to further attack the other one. But just in case, they would continue their fight on the ground until one could no longer get up.

On the third go Mordred dismounted the man and as predicted, he did not get up again. So the dark knight of Ecetir was declared the winner. Everyone was applauding, as he pulled up his opponent in a friendly gesture.

“What the fuck did you bathe in?”, Merlin finally managed to ask Leon, who was still standing next to him, while Arthur was getting on his horse. Soon the second round would begin, featuring the prince of Camelot and the knight of Deorham.

“What?!”, Leon replied.

“You reek. What happened?”

“Oh, yeah, we encountered that lady and her perfume flask. She broke it, some must have gotten on me...”

“What?!”, Merlin exclaimed. Head spinning around. Shocked.

“What?!”, was the knight’s reply.

“Did Arthur get some on him?!”, the omega shouted. Panic rising in him.

“What? Yes! But it was an accident!”

“Who?! Who did this?!”

“I, err, what?!”

“Who spilled this on Arthur?!”

“The Lady. Cendred’s cousin!”

“Fuck!”, Merlin cursed.

And then it was too late. Too late to interfere. Because the next round started. Arthur riding against the knight. Missing each other. Trying again. And again. The knight’s lance breaking against Arthur’s chest in the third go, the prince still sitting firm in the saddle.

Two turns later, Arthur managed to dismount him, but this time the knight managed to get up again. Drawing his sword. So Arthur did as well. Got off the horse to fight him one on one. The man was aggressive. Like he had nothing to lose, tried to go for more than one possibility deadly blow, but the prince avoided them all, until he finally had him on the ground.. keeping him in check with the tip of his blade. Excalibur.

And thus won the round. Pulled back the sword, despite the yet unfamiliar urge, to end things. To let his rising anger take over. To end the knight’s life. But this had been just a brief urge, easy to push back. Because he was a man of honour! And he would fight with honour!

“What’s going on?!”, Leon wanted to know, now looking at Merlin again. They both had watched the scene. Had witnessed the brief moment on which Arthur’s sword had been way too close to the knights carotid.

“I don’t know. Not yet. I... Elyan?”, Merlin tried to stay calm.

“Yes?”, the knight to his left asked.

“Can you tell Morgana, it’s Cendred’s cousin? She’ll know. You’re her maidservant’s brother. It won’t me too suspicious, I hope...”, he told him, trying to avoid looking at the woman.

“I... Yes? Yes, of course!”, Elyan nodded and made his way over to the Lady, who was sitting next to Uther, trying to hide her own nervousness.

“Do you feel anything, Leon? Something going on?”, Merlin then asked, looking the head of the knights up and down.

“What do you mean? I, I don’t understand...”, Leon replied.

“She put a spell on Arthur. She... Fuck!”, the sorcerer cursed. But he got interrupted.

The combatants got ready for the last round. Now it was the last fight. Mordred against Arthur. And something was definitely not okay!

Both men got their lances and positioned their horses. Then they rode. Missed and turned. Tried again. And Arthur could feel an entirely new feeling rushing through his veins. Aiming at his opponent.

“What’s going on, Merlin?”, Leon all of a sudden grumbled, right next to the servant, demanding an answer, grabbing his shirt, pulling him closer! “Tell me! Right now!”, he shouted into his face. Very sudden and very angry.

And Merlin stared at him in a moment of shock. Magic tickling in his fingers, ready to defend himself, but within milliseconds Percival and Gwaine were there. Grabbed Leon and pulled him off Merlin. For a moment, the head of the knights struggled, but had no chance against both men.

He took a moment to recover from the unexpected attack. From the rage Leon had all of a sudden emitted. Then his eyes snapped back to the battleground, to Arthur. Fearing the worst, as the three knights distanced themselves from him, Percival and Gwaine keeping Leon in check.

It was the knight, Arthur realised. The one he had seen with Merlin more than once. The one! And it drove him mad! Made him angry! It was that guy! The one who had dared to lay a hand on his omega! His mate! His!

With raising anger he rode towards him, aiming his lance. Letting it break against his chest! But that bastard remained in the saddle! How dare he?! Arthur was furious. That son of a bitch! That cheater! He would get him! He would attack him! Show him his place! He would kill him!

Again, they turned their horses, got new lances and rode towards each other. And finally, finally Arthur hit his shoulder, made the dark knight lose his balance and drop off the horse. Usually this would mean that he had won the battle, that he would just need to wait and see, whether he would be able to get up again, but he did not. Blinded by rage, Arthur jumped off his horse and drew his sword. Ran towards the offender! The one who had dared to touch what was his! Anger was rushing through his body, like poison! He would kill him! He would definitely kill him!

With a fast movement Mordred was able to roll to the side, avoid the blade that had been about to hit him. He used the movement to pull himself back up, fumbled for his sword.

“You! You goddamn!”, Arthur called out, attacking him again. And again. Full of anger. He literally saw red. Wanted to get him! Hit him! Kill this man!

He only saw him, nothing else. Totally ignored the crowd. The confused whispers, the unsure looks that were exchanged. None of that mattered! That man there in front of him had laid his hands on his omega! On Merlin!

Mordred avoided another attack, sword vibrating in his hands. He feared for his life. This man was serious. Arthur was dead serious! He realised in shock, that he was about to die out here. Arthur would not hesitate.

“Bastard!”, the prince exclaimed. Wielding Excalibur.

And then, as the druid dodged another hit, he suddenly felt his magic return to him. Morgause must have taken mercy on him. Giving him the chance to defend himself. But he had no time, to actually do anything with this, because another blow hit him at the shoulder. Brought him to the ground.

A mad Arthur – helmet lost somewhere in the dispute – was trying to hit him again and again! Rage had taken over completely. He just wanted to kill this knight! No matter what! Nothing could stop him now! He would! He would end his existence! Once and for all!

“Arthur! Stop it!”, Merlin exclaimed, once again. This time louder, but it still did not help. Arthur did not seem to hear him. He was chasing Mordred around. And Merlin was well aware, his alpha was about to actually kill.

Fuck, he could not allow this! He had to do something! Had to soothe his alpha! His mate!

“STOP!”, he exclaimed as loud as he could and did something very brave and probably very stupid, since he saw no other option. He climbed the balustrade, not minding the already agitated crowd... Someone would take care of this. Of whatever. He had to take care of Arthur! Of his alpha!

That was why he was running across the dusty field, towards the fighters, towards the sword wielding prince, standing over Mordred, aiming for the final blow. Ready to actually end things.

“Stop it! Arthur!”, he screamed, stumbling towards him, probably spraining his ankle, but he did not care. He threw himself at Arthur, as he was about to stab his victim. Grabbed his wrist, tackling him.  Unable to actually throw him to the ground. But his action at least brought the alpha to pause. To notice him. To smell the air around him. His omega pheromones.

There was no use. Arthur seemed agitated. Aggressive. And the scent of whatever tincture it had been that had hit him, was still lingering in the air. So he did the only thing the came to his mind and undid the spell that was masking his pheromones. So Arthur would smell him stronger. Would at least react.

And actually his alpha’s head turned. For the first time in his rampage, he was looking at him. Seeing his omega. Realising, he was actually there.

“Stop it!”, Merlin exclaimed, hand still stretched out, holding his wrist. Looking into his eyes, trying to stand between him and Mordred, who was still lying on the ground. Not moving an inch.

“He... You. You’re mine. My omega, my...”, Arthur growled in a very low and very dangerous voice. Still full of blinding rage.

“I’m yours. All yours. So stop it. Stop, Arthur!”, the omega said, tiling his head in a submissive gesture exposing his scent glands. Letting his omega scent escape. Reach his prince. His mate.

“Mine! Mine!”, was the reply. Still not a proper reaction. Something that showed him, Arthur was actually there, with him.

“Yours. It’s okay, it’s fine. I’m here...”

“I’ll kill him! I’ll....”, Arthur growled, trying to free his hand.

“Alpha, stop. Focus on me. I’m here”,  Merlin yelled straight to his face. Bared his neck even further. Now totally exposed. And Arthurs demeanour finally changed. He breathed in his omega pheromones and then, his whole body pushed forward, unexpectedly. Against Merlin. Mouth opening, teething digging into the flesh of his neck. The area around his scent glands. Drawing blood.

“Argh!”, he exclaimed, voice muffled, as his mouth filled with warm blood. Sensation overcoming him, pushing away all the anger, all the rage. And then there only was Merlin. His omega, his mate. His scent, his taste, his, his everything rushing through his body. His magic tingling around him, rushing into him. And he moaned in unexpected ecstasy.

That was it! That was all he needed! All he wanted... Merlin! Merlin, Merlin, Merlin, Merlin Merlin, Merlin!

And then the omega’s own instincts took over and he turned his head, reaching for Arthur’s neck. For what was there to reach, not covered by heavy armour. And then sunk his teeth into the skin around his alpha’s scent glands. Deep enough to feel, to taste, to unite. To complete their bond.

This war as far from a conscious decision, as it could get. Otherwise rational Merlin would have screamed and protested. After all they were doing this in front of the whole court and six rulers from different countries. But there was no space for rational Merlin right now. There was only Arthur. His alpha. His mate. His actual mate.

His smell, his warmth, his taste. The blood covering the inside of his mouth, making something inside of him snap. Making his magic tingle not only through his body, through Arthur’s, no. He felt a wave of magic erupt. Streaming out of him rushing around, in a beam of warmth as their bond was completed.

He wrapped his arms around his alpha. Breathing in. Clinging to him helplessly, head spinning. Alpha, alpha, his alpha, his mate. This was all he felt, all he smelled. Their scents finally mingling, becoming one. Creating a whole new scent. Making him tremble.

And his alpha pressed him against his chest. Steadied him, as they both trembled to the ground, onto their knees. They were one. Finally. A bonded pair. Reluctant to let go.

As Leon stopped struggling, Percival and Gwaine let him go, all three staring at the battleground, at what was happening. Understanding immediately, even before they could smell it through the whole mix of scents. The wave of warmth had rushed through them. Had finally stopped the rage that had filled Leon, had him see reason.

“They...”, he just mumbled, suddenly feeling very tired.

“They actually did it!”, Gwaine called out, laughing.

Morgana averted her gaze. She could not look at them a second longer. But she did not have to, because as the wave of warmth, of powerful magic, rushed through her, through all of them, she could feel her own spell break. Just becoming undone. Just so. Easily. Like it was nothing at all. Emrys really was the most powerful being, she realised, as her gaze fell on the seat, where Cendred’s cousin should sit. The one, Elyan informed her about. Morgause!

Sitting there, stiffly. Unmoving. Just staring, mouth wide open.

She inhaled. Then she called the guards. Urged them to arrest the witch. And with this was the first one in the crowd to actually take an action. Everyone else was still staring at the couple on the ground. Processing what had happened.

But since no guards came, it was the knights, acting. Percival and Elyan just took the unmoving men’s swords and arrested the still stunned witch. She did not even resist. Just laughed as if mad, as Gwaine took a pair of iron cuffs from a guard and placed it around her wrists. Then they escorted her off the platform. No one interrupting... Probably no one had actually noticed, because still, everyone was staring at Arthur and his omega.

Morgana looked at them again. Then at Uther next to her. Eyes wide open, staring down in shock. He did not even blink.

Then a sound drew her attention. Clanking metal. The dark knight, standing up, walking towards her. And she just stared, as he got closer. Came to halt in front of her. And she was suddenly reminded of her vision, of what she had seen in a dream.

“Milady”, the knight said, bowed to her, like nothing out of the ordinary had happened. “May I suggest to postpone the last round of the tournament to another day? No winner can be declared under those circumstances. And also...”, he told her, voice vaguely familiar.

“Also?”, she repeated, apparently the only one still in possession of actual capability to think straight. Though, she was not sure. This was madness going on around her! Her brother had just bonded to his secret omega servant, he had impregnated, Morgause had not even resisted her imprisonment, the crowd still processing all of  this and Uther, king of Camelot, still just sat there motionless.

“Also, I’d rather like to compete under my actual name this time”, the knight told her, placing both hands on his helmet, slowly pulling it off, exposing his face for the first time in a week. Smiling at her cautiously.

“Oh...”, Morgana made, recognising him immediately. She shot her father a quick look, but no reaction came from him. So she nodded. “Yes. Yes, that is a good idea...”, she mumbled. Then took a breath and raised her voice.

“In the name of the king of Camelot, I, the Lady Morgana, hereby postpone the final fight of the tournament! The participants prince Arthur of Camelot and Sir Mordred of Camelot will fight for honour and glory three days from now! For today, I hereby end all the festivities! You are all dismissed!”, she then declared loudly. In a clear, steady voice, that actually seemed to reach the people for the first time in what felt like hours, but probably only was less then five minutes.

It took them a while, but little by little people seemed to realise, they had things to do. Things that did not involve staring at their prince.

“What just happened?”, Elena asked in a hushed voice.

“Looks like we don’t need to worry about them any longer...”, Mithian replied with a smile. Send the two men a longing gaze and grabbed the other woman’s hand. “Shall we?”, she added.

“Please”, the blonde nodded and they left. Their fathers exchanged a look and both sighed. Also raising from their seats.

Cendred, Odin and Alined also raised. And walked off with their company. All three looking more than a little grumpy. They would all depart within the following hours, together with Bayard, who had already packed. But Morgana did not pay them much attention. Did hardly notice the knight walking off, leaving the battleground.

She was focused on Uther entirely. He was not staring any longer, but had closed his eyes, taking deep breaths.  Anger clearly visible on his face.

Arthur finally let go of his omega. His! His mate! Licking the fresh wounds he had inflicted on him. Soon they would become beautiful and very unique silver linings, a seal of their oath, their devotion for each other. But for now, they would look a little painful, almost making him regret creating them. Almost.

Well, now that he thought of it, maybe he actually should regret. At least parts of what had happened. Now that his head was clear again, he started to realise, what had happened. That he had almost killed a man in rage. The he had claimed his omega servant in front of half of Camelot and that... That they were still not alone... Those really were not the best circumstances. And definitely not, what he had thought about. What he had hoped for. Actually he had wanted to win the favour and ask to marry who he loved. Then he would have asked Merlin for his hand in a probably very romantic gesture in front of everyone. And maybe he would have revealed his pregnancy, just in case his father would be opposing to his. But well... This was an entirely different situation now.

And as he separated from his mate, looking at him, he could feel his father’s eyes on him. Knowing immediately that no spell in the world could keep him from what was about to come. He braced himself, while offering Merlin a hand, pulling him up with him. The sorcerer looked at him shyly. Avoided his gaze and instead focused on his lips.

“C’mere...”, Arthur smiled. Soothing him. It would be okay. It would work out... Somehow. Even if he got cast out of Camelot! He would stay by his omega’s side. For now and forever.

“I’m sorry...”, Merlin whispered. But he just pulled at his hand and brought him to his side, so they could face the now almost empty platform together.

Arthur swallowed. Searching his father’s eyes.

“What was that?!”, Uther addressed him directly, hand massaging his temple. He was definitely angry.

“I just bonded with my true mate”, Arthur informed him, stepping closer, arm around Merlin’s waist, to hold him close, to make his point.

“This is a servant boy! You can’t be serious! Arthur! What were you thinking?! In front of the whole crowd?!”, the king exclaimed.

“I’ve been wanting to do this for a while now. Now all of them know and won’t try to pitch marrying their omega offspring to me. Actually that comes quite handy!”, the blonde told him, staying calm. He had to be, no matter how nervous he was. He had to be calm for both of them, because he could feel Merlin’s fear through their still so very new and fragile bond. The throbbing anxiety.

“You?! How dare you to undermine my authority like that?! Did you even think at all?! That boy’s a servant! He can’t be your mate! You’re supposed to mate an omega of status! One who would actually be able to continue the Pendragon lineage! This, this peasant can’t possibly give you an offspring, even if he suddenly turned out an omega!”, Uther raged and probably he would call for his guards to arrest Merlin right on the spot, but since everyone was minding their own business, they were almost alone here. Just Morgana was sitting beside him, rolling her eyes, being supportive towards her brother. And then, somewhere, a few meters away, Gaius was watching them.

“About that…”, Arthur replied, turning his gaze, smiling at Merlin, eyes filled with honest affection. “I don’t think, there will be a problem, we already took care of this matter…”, he told his father in a loud voice and placed his hand on his mate’s belly. Stroked it gently, exposing its outlines under the lose fabric. Then he looked at Uther again.

Who stared. Understanding the meaning of the gesture. “You, you knocked up some servant and just decided to mate him?! What kind of son have I raised?!”, he shouted, breathing heavily, rubbing both his temples. He looked like he was having a serious headache.

“Didn’t you marry out of love?”, Arthur reminded his father. They had never talked much about Uthers marriage, about his mate, Arthur’s mother. But he was aware, his father had acted against protocol to marry Ygraine, that he had deeply loved her and thus had been deeply hurt by her sudden death, unable to even hold the son she had left him.

“I… You can’t compare Ygraine to such an, such…”, Uther gasped.

“I can. I love him. And he has proved, he’s capable of carrying my pup. Wasn’t that the most important thing to you?”

“I, I, he’s a peasant!”

“You married below your rank, father. And you did not even care, my mother was infertile, you still chose her! Like I chose Merlin!”

“You! You?! How’d you know?!”, Uther exclaimed in horror.

“I know it all, father. The circumstances of my birth. And I will not resume to such evil acts, just to meet your standards! I will keep my mate and raise my child!”

“How dare you?! Then leave! Get out of Camelot! I don’t want you here any longer! I will disown you! Cast you out, for defying me! For committing treason towards your king!”

“I will go, if that’s your wish. But that leaves you without an heir. The Pendragon lineage will die with you”, Arthur explained. Way calmer than he felt. But he had already decided on this weeks ago. When he chased down his mate, he had decided, he would give it all up, just to be with him.

“You can’t do that!”, Merlin complained, speaking up for the first time. Voice rising.

“I will. I will choose you over all the wealth of Camelot. Anytime, again and again”, Arthur assured him with a smile.

“You’re an idiot…”

“Leave, then! Morgana will inherit the throne. We just need to find a suitab-”

“No. I definitely won’t. Arthur’s the only heir, I’ll ever recognise. You can’t just make me your successor”, Morgana interrupted the angry king. Shook her head, arms crossed in front of her.

“How dare you talking back to me? I’m your father! Your king!”

“You’re the man who happened to impregnate my mother. And rather a fool, than a king right now. Arthur’s a good man. The best Camelot will ever get. You can’t cast him out, because he’s doing what you did, just better!”, she straight out told him. Being honest with him for the first time in her life, leaving all etiquette behind.

“You! Have you all conspired against me?!”, Uther exclaimed, looking between the siblings and the pregnant omega.

“No. I will just not let you and your agenda ruin my happiness. I dedicated everything to you, my whole life! I never did, what I wanted! Always, what you expect!”

“But that’s your duty as prince!”

“So what? I want this! I love him! And you will not take that way from me!”

“You, you….Argh!”, the king screamed, face red from anger. Taking in air to start another sentence, but then stilled. Eyes widening he stared at Arthur in horror. Not, not quite at Arthur, at something behind him. And went pale. So very pale. As if he’d all of a sudden seen a ghost. All blood left his face and with whispered “Y-Ygraine?”, he collapsed into his chair, still, staring.

“Errr... What?”, Morgana asked. Looking at him. Not understanding, what was going on.

“I.. I… I am sorry…”, the king whispered at whatever he was staring at. At nothing at all, as far as the others were aware.

“Did you…?”, Arthur wanted to know, looking at his sister, making a small gesture. Uther did not notice. He continued to just stare. To mumble incomprehensible things.

“What? No! Uther? Are you alright?”, she defended herself, placing a hand on the old man’s shoulder.

Confused, the king blinked. Looked at her. At first not looking at her at all, then he seemed to recognise her.  “Vivienne? You, too?”, he whispered, eyes wide.

“What?”

“May I interrupt you, Sires and Milady?”, Gaius asked, approaching them from the side, forehead in wrinkles. Looking at his king.

“Gaius! Do you know, what’s going on?”, Merlin asked, desperately, because that sudden change in Uther was more than unsettling. Had Morgause maybe done something to him? No, she was not here. What had happened to her? He could not recall.  He had no idea, what exactly had happened, after Arthur had claimed him.

“I… I’m not sure…”

“Is this a spell?”, the sorcerer whispered. To their surprise, Uther did not react, just mumbled something in Morgana’s direction.

“No, no, I do not think so…”, the Physician mumbled, looking at his patient.  “Uther? Can you hear me?”, he then addressed him directly.

“Gaius? That you?”

“Yes, Sire, it is me. How are you feeling?”

“Fine, fine. Have you seen Ygraine? She was here, just a moment ago… Vivienne, have you?”, the king asked, turning to Morgana again. Visibly confused by the absence of... Of Ygraine de Bois?

“No, Milord, I have not, recently. Are you feeling tired?”

“I, I do… I… She was here. Just a moment ago. I need to tell her about.. About… What did I need to tell her, Gaius? My head hurts, I can’t recall…”, Uther explained. Shaking his head, face twisting in pain.

“I see, Milord. I will send someone to look for her. May I escort you to your chambers? You do need rest. I will take care of your headache…”, the physician told him in a very gentle voice.

“Yes, yes, that is a good idea. Come, too, my dear Vivienne. Where’s Gorlois, by the way?”, the king wanted to know, addressing a very helpless looking Morgana.

“I don’t know, Milord. But I will make sure to find him, if you need him?”, she then suggested, as Gaius helped him getting up from his throne-like chair. Trying to play along. Because, he seemed confused. But confused was better than angry. And... He seemed to have forgotten about their previous conversation. About casting Arthur out. About the public bonding.

Maybe whatever this was, was not so bad at all, at least for the moment.

“Can you walk, Sire?”, Gaius asked.

“I’m not sick, Gaius! I just have a headache!”, the king replied, as they both walked off with him, steadying him.

“Yes, Sire, of course....”

Merlin and Arthur both sighed, gaze following them, then the turned towards each other.

“What is going on?”, the prince wanted to know, tilting his head. Drawing in air, as a sharp pain rushed through him. His neck hurt. Which reminded him of what had just happened. Of their actual and real, undeniable bond.

“I have no idea. Maybe he has finally gone mad?”, the sorcerer shrugged. “Fffft!”, he made as his neck started hurting. He, too, was reminded of what they now had. And for a moment he closed his eyes, focusing on his alpha. And could feel his presence in the back of his mind. Not only the thoughts, the longing, but an actual portrait of his mate. A hint of what he felt. Worry for his father, for their future, but there also was the radiating love. For him.

He smiled.

“What?!”, Arthur wanted to know.

“I love you, too... But let’s wash up. I think, those need treatment...”, the sorcerer smiled pointing at his neck.

“Yes... Probably...”

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