Summary: Something is rotten in the state of Camelot. A love story. Warnings: sexual abuse, main character death, Merthur hurt!Arthur evil!Uther bamf!Merlin(eventually). Dark AU (canon period).


A/N: OK, this idea floated into my head some time ago, after hearing part of a documentary. I dismissed it then due to the dubious theme, but it wanted to be written. So, as a result of being kept out of my other favourite fandom, I returned to my old bunnies and decided to have a go. I hope you don't find the subject matter too squicky. It's not graphic. I tried to handle the premise sensitively. Remember, it's a love story and it has a happy ending.

A/N: My apologies to the Uther fans, of which I am one, normally. And the Arthur fans too.


The Worm In The Bud (Part 1: Tryst) by frostygossamer


Working as a drudge to the Crown Prince of any kingdom wouldn't be a bundle of laughs, Merlin assumed, but slaving for the stuck-up Prince Arthur of Camelot was disappointingly typical. Arthur was arrogance personified, and Merlin was already tired of the number of times he'd heard the word 'idiot' hurled from his master's lips at his head.

Most days he went about his duties without paying much heed to the prince's activities, outside the sphere he himself was responsible for, laundry, dusting, sweeping, polishing, carrying firewood, hauling water and any other hard labour his highness could dream up. But today was different.

Today he had been wandering along to Arthur's chambers, with a basket of clean clothes, when, rounding a corner, he noticed Arthur sneaking furtively in the direction of Lady Morgana's rooms.

Feeling bored enough to be curious, he deposited his basket in Arthur's room then hastily followed in his tracks, slipping here and there into alcoves and doorways. When Arthur reached Morgana's door it opened slightly, and he slipped inside, the door closing behind him.

"Odd", Merlin thought.

Ever since he had started working at Camelot, he had been aware that there was a certain distance between Prince Arthur and his father's ward, Lady Morgana. He had no idea why, but it was evident in the tense atmosphere between them.

He sneaked over to the door and applied his ear, he could just make out the murmur of both a male and a female voice, but too indistinct to understand. After a few minutes he heard footsteps approaching the door, and ducked into the nearest shadow.

Arthur emerged from the room and quietly returned to his own. After a few minutes more Guinevere, Lady Morgana's maid, came out of the room also and hastily tiptoed away.

"Ooh", Merlin thought. "A tryst!"

A few days later, Merlin was in Arthur's bedroom, folding and putting away more clean laundry, as Arthur sat at his table shuffling some sort of paperwork. Idly, Merlin struck up a conversation.

"I know what's going on", he remarked airily. "I know your secret."

Arthur's whole attitude changed. He became tense and, for a moment, he actually stopped breathing.

"My secret? What do you know about my secret?", he demanded.

"You've been seeing Lady Morgana's Guinevere", Merlin smirked.

Arthur relaxed visibly. "You've been following me, haven't you, Merlin?", he guessed.

"Well, yes", Merlin admitted. "But I don't know why you had to be so sneaky about it. Guinevere's a pretty girl. No one would blame you for taking a shine to her."

"Someone would", Arthur retorted with a hint of bitterness. "There's a very good reason why we have to meet in secret, Merlin. I want you to swear not to mention this to anyone. And no more following me around. Understand?"

"Oh, I swear", Merlin answered hastily. "Heavens, this fellow's touchy", he thought.

A few weeks later, Camelot played host to visitors in the form of an eligible young princess and her aged uncle. Eluned was beautiful and sweet-natured, and a perfect match for Arthur. Uther was keen to make an alliance with her wealthy father, and marriage looked on the horizon.

Arthur was the perfect escort. You could see Eluned warming to him before your eyes, and her uncle looked favourably on him too.

They held a grand ball. King Uther and Eluned's uncle sat drinking fine wine, and watching the young ones as they danced. Arthur was a good dancer, and he took the opportunity to get close to his possible future bride, holding her waist tight, squeezing her little hand and whispering into her ear, his face buried in her golden curls.

As the night wore on, Uther's temper began to suffer. He stopped listening to Sir Uncle, and began to stare at his son and his pretty partner, anger rising in his steely eyes. Eventually he snapped, rising suddenly from his chair and striding from the room. Sir Uncle looked shocked. Arthur looked devastated.

When Merlin arrived at Arthur's door in the morning, much to his surprise he found the door locked. He knocked tentatively and after a few moments the door was unlocked and opened by Gaius. His mentor wore a concerned expression.

"Ah, Merlin", he whispered. "Come in. And be quiet."

Merlin walked in and was surprised to see Prince Arthur lying asleep in his bed, curled up into the foetal position.

"Er, Arthur has taken ill", Gaius explained. "He will remain in bed today. You can leave your normal duties. I'd just like you to stay here and watch him, while I pop to my workroom to fetch some medicines. Don't wake him whatever you do."

"Fine", Merlin responded, wondering whether Arthur had anything catching.

Gaius disappeared through the door and Merlin stood near the bed, trying to see if Arthur had any sort of rash. What he did notice was the unmistakeable blue of bruising around the young man's bare upper body.

"Strange", Merlin thought. "You'd almost think that he had been beaten up."

Merlin approached the bed and examined the sleeping Arthur more closely. He did look in a very bad way. Curiosity getting the better of him, he gingerly raised Arthur's blanket and was surprised to see the bruises continued below his waist, and that even his backside looked bruised and sore. Merlin's eyebrows rose in confusion.

Just at that moment Gaius re-entered the room, carrying his shoulder bag of ointments and potions. When he saw Merlin looking at the prince he almost dropped his bag. Merlin started. He rushed to the old physician's side.

"What has happened to Prince Arthur?", he demanded in a stage whisper.

Gaius ushered Merlin towards the table and indicated that he should sit. He drew a chair up to his and slumped down, a sad look on his old face.

"I had hoped you wouldn't have to find out about this", he explained. "Arthur didn't want you to know."

Gaius was a good man, and it clearly pained him to talk about the suffering of someone in his care, someone whom he could do nothing to help.

"Since the age of barely more than ten years, Arthur has been a victim of his father's unnatural passions", he said. "No one knows. No one must know. It happens two or three times a month, depending on Uther's mood. Luckily he is seldom as violent as he was on this occasion."

"I don't understand", Merlin said innocently. "Are you trying to say that Uther hurts Arthur deliberately, his own son?"

"Not only hurts, ...violates", Gaius spelt out, barely able to articulate the words.

Merlin was appalled. "But, Gaius, you are the Court Physician", he gasped. "How could you have known about this and done nothing?"

"Because, my boy, I know what it was like in Camelot before Uther became king", Gaius explained. "The country was lawless, overrun by brigands. The neighbouring kingdoms were our sworn enemies. People were afraid to sleep at night. War tore the country apart, robbing families of their sons.

Uther is a good king. His rule is strong and fair. His laws are just, unless you're a sorcerer. But few people feel anything but fear for sorcery, so they're happy with that. There is justice, order and trade. The kingdom is prosperous. People can sleep safe in their beds. They don't know or care about the king's vices.

I wish I could speak up, but if there is an outcry against Uther, I fear a return to old times, so I turn a blind eye. I would have walked out on Uther a long time ago, if I hadn't thought Arthur would suffer more in my absence. He needs me and I can't let him down.

Arthur is Uther's only victim, and it's a small price to pay for peace. Even Arthur can see that. He understands my dilemma. So I swallow my guilt and keep my mouth shut, even though I fear he may not survive to succede. And, Merlin, you must do the same."

Merlin closed his open mouth and squeaked a protest. Gaius pointed a scolding finger at him and he nodded meekly.

"It isn't right", Merlin muttered.

"I know. I know", Gaius replied, patting his pupil's shoulder.

Merlin sat by Arthur's bed all day and night, feeling now very bad about the way he had condemned the prince for his haughty manner. Clearly it wasn't pride that made him act so aloof, but shame. He promised himself that he would be more understanding toward his young master in the future.

TBC


A/N: Right. Now you know what it's about. Don't be put off. Please read on. Arthur needs you.