AN: Yeah, this popped into my head a few days ago, and didn't leave. It's suppose to be a oneshot, but if it keeps attacking my head, I may write more :)
Slight warning: might be a little gory/bloody, just letting you know...
Arthur grimaced as the man was pushed to his knees before him. His father had heard that he was using magic, that he was using it to better himself, but from the looks of his clothes and emaciated form, it was very ridiculous. The last sun rays starkly emphasising his gaunt form and ragged clothes. If he had been using magic, he wouldn't have lived as he had, eating the rotten vegetables that he was able to gather.
"You have been convicted of being a sorcerer, what do you say to these charges?" demanded Uther imperiously, glaring hatefully at the dirty form kneeling before him.
The man struggled for air, coughing as the cold air caught on his throat. Eventually he managed to gasp, "I am no sorcerer, your Majesty... I have never used magic... and would never know where to start." The man looked up towards Uther. "If I was able to use magic... why would I live like this? I have very little food, these are my only clothes... and my chest has been attacked by the cold and wet for as long as I remember.... If I had magic... why would I not change this?"
Uther frowned. "I do not know what your thinking is, sorcerer, I do not know why you choose to live like you have, but you shall not have to worry for much longer." He beckoned the guards forward. "You shall not live for much longer." The guards seized the man's arms and hauled him up. The man gasped painfully before breaking out into a long coughing fit, body jerking. When he finally stopped he slumped in the hold of the guards and looked back up at Uther.
"No...I shall not..." he slumped again, chest rising and falling painfully as the guards led/dragged him out.
As the doors banged shut, Uther resettled himself in his throne before picking up some papers. Arthur saw Morgana glare at Uther before coming to stand in front of him glaring.
"What is it Morgana?"
"Did you not see that man? He was sick and starving and dying! And you've just gone and sent him to the dungeons. He'd be lucky if he lasted the night!"
"If he dies there it won't make any difference, he will die tomorrow anyway."
"Did you not see the same man as I? What sorcerer would allow themselves to live like that? What sorcerer would starve himself to the point that his body can no longer fight of disease?"
"It was probably all an act Morgana, to get you to feel sympathy for him, to get out of dying."
"He is dying all ready!" snapped Morgana. "And you are too blinded to realise this!" She turned to glare at Arthur. "Arthur saw the same thing as I, didn't you Arthur?"
Uther turned to look at him. Arthur paused. As against the rules as it was to disagree with his father, he agreed with Morgana.
"Father, I must agree that the man looked half dead all ready, and from all that I have heard from what you've told me, surely a sorcerer would've have bettered their life in some way, and not live like that man did."
"And from what I told you, you should realise by now that they will also stop at nothing to fool us, and avoid their due punishment!"
"But that man could barely stand! How can someone fake being that starved and ill? And if he had used magic, surely it wouldn't have been for evil, he could've used magic to make his life better!" He stopped, eyes widening.
Uther stared at him. "Everyone, out."
"Uther..." started Morgana.
"Out!" he shouted. Morgana hurriedly leaved, followed by the rest of the gathered guards and servants.
Arthur stood his ground as his father came closer. He would not back down. Yes magic was bad, but surely in this case it could have been used for good.
"After all that I have taught you," said his father quietly. "After all that I have told you, about magic and magic users, you still think that it is all right for them to use magic?" By now Uther was towering over him, dark eyes intense as they glared into Arthur's.
He swallowed. "In this case, yes, it could've been used for good. It could have gotten him better food, better health, a better life."
"Just because he seemed sick and ill does not necessarily mean he was, Arthur!" his father shouted. "Sorcerer's are liars Arthur! They tell you lies and deceive you, to create sympathy. They tempt you with the impossible and then cruelly ruin your life piece by piece if you do not carefully annihilate them all!" He took a step closer. "There is no room in this kingdom for people like that."
"And how do you know this so well father?" Arthur demanded. "You talk about all the wars and terror from before I was born, but surely after all this time, things have changed. Yes magic was used for evil then, but surely we could use it now, to better the kingdom! I have seen magic that has been used for good-"
Slap.
Arthur touched his cheek as he stared at his father, who was coolly glaring at him. "You speak treason son. If you do not want to find yourself in the dungeons for the next week, you will hold your tongue." He then turned away from Arthur and walked to a table. "I do not want to ever bring this conversation up again, Arthur. Do I make myself clear?"
"Yes."
"Good." He turned a paper over. Seeing a dismissal Arthur angrily walked to the doors, yanking them open, feeling eager to leave the room.
"Arthur?" he father called out.
"Yes?"
"If I ever hear you talking about magic again in a positive light, you will be punished." Uther turned his head to look at Arthur. "Severely."
"Understood father." Once outside and around the corner he angrily kicked a wall. There was just not reasoning with his father, he couldn't seem to think straight once the topic of magic came up and it was infuriating!
Staring out the window he caught a glimpse of Merlin walking across the courtyard, holding a basket full of supplies for Gaius. He had one of those ridiculous smiles on his face, and was happily talking to one of the other servants. Sighing heavily he leant against the wall, eyes following his walk until he vanished inside a doorway. His life seemed so simple. Follow his orders, collect things for Gaius, don't stress about anything really important. He didn't have to deal with a magic obsessed father.
"Arthur?" Morgana had found him.
"Morgana."
She paused and put a hand on his shoulder turning him to face her. Her eyes widened as she looked at his face.
"What happened?" she asked, cool fingers brushing softly against his cheek.
"My father and his hatred of magic happened." He turned his head away so she wouldn't be touching his face any more. "I should have known his hatred would blind him to even a dying man."
"You did the right thing. Uther has to be told when he's doing something wrong."
"Is he doing something wrong? Maybe he is right, and the man is simply faking."
"Do you really believe that?" He looked away.
"I don't know what to believe any more."
Morgana nodded. "It can be hard to find the right path sometimes. All you can do chose the one you feel is right." She put her hand on his arm. "Come, we'll get Gaius to put something on that bruise, it's all ready starting to make your face even more repulsive."
-)-(-
Arthur winced as Gaius dabbed at his face with a cloth again. He was putting a green paste like mixture all over the left side of his face, and it smelled horrible. The smell kept itching at his nose trying to make him sneeze. Ignoring the almost painful sensation he waited for Gaius to finish before carefully rubbing his nose to get rid of the feeling. Morgana had left a while ago as Gaius had made the paste, saying she needed to do something, and it was now after dark, the few candles Gaius had lit flickering in a draft.
"There you go Sire. It should clear up within a couple of days."
"Thank you Gaius." He got up and looked around. "Where's Merlin?"
"I sent him to the dungeons with a tonic, to help ease the man's cough. From the sounds of it, he's got quite a lot of moisture in his lungs, and being in the dungeons won't help it."
He frowned. "Will he be allowed to take it? I don't think Father would be happy about it."
"We'll just have to see what the guards say."
The doors suddenly opened and Merlin trotted in, looking down heartened. "They wouldn't let me near him. I couldn't even convince them to just take it to him and let him drink it." He suddenly realised Arthur was there. "Oh, hi Arthur."
Gaius sighed and stepped forward to take the bottle. "A shame, I fear the man will just have to suffer."
Arthur stared at the bottle for a moment before snatching it from Gaius' hands. "I'll take it."
"Sire, please, after what your father did today, do you really want to push him like this?"
"He's got a point Arthur. I'd of never said that the king would actually hit you, but your face pretty much proves, that he's willing to go to the extremes," added Merlin.
Arthur tightened his grip on the bottle. "And that's exactly why I'm doing this. Just because my father has such a grudge against magic that he's willing to let a man suffer through his last night alive, does not mean I am." He stomped out the door, heading for the dungeons.
"Arthur! Wait up!" Merlin hurried up next to him.
"You probably shouldn't come Merlin; if the guards see you again they might just throw you in the dungeons for good measure."
He snorted, grinning cheerfully. "Like you'd let them."
Arthur grunted and continued to walk.
"So, what are we going to do? Are we going to sneak past or are you just going to command them to let you through?" asked Merlin curiously.
Reaching the stairs to the dungeons he looked down at the guards playing dice. "Probably sneak past if we can. If my father has given the order, they won't let me past no matter how much I command them." Not looking away from the relaxing guards he patted Merlin's shoulder. "Go create a distraction."
"What?"
"You wanted to come along Merlin, so this is the price."
Merlin huffed before creeping down the stairs. On the angle that Arthur was on he couldn't see what Merlin did but suddenly there were grunts and one of the guards slumped into sight.
Jumping down the stairs he saw Merlin holding an unlit torch. "What did you do Merlin? Club them over the head?"
"Not exactly..." Merlin carefully placed the torch down.
Shaking his head at his ridiculous manservant he jerked his head and hissed, "Come on."
Hurrying past the first couple of cells he reached the darkened cell where the sick man was contained in. Opening it with his own keys he slipped inside, Merlin standing hesitantly in the doorway, keeping an eye out.
Pulling the man up into a seated position he gently nudged the man awake. Groaning the man weakly tried to rub his eyes, hands shaking.
"Here," he murmured, quickly opening the bottle and holding it to the man's lips. "Drink this, it'll help." The man gave a slight gasp before slowly swallowing the liquid. Despite its rancid smell, the man didn't hesitate, licking his lips and drinking it faster.
Once he had finished the bottle, he sighed, body relaxing. "My...thanks."
"I'm sorry I can't do more."
The man gave a small smile. "Some have power...to control much. Some to control...less." He then coughed, chest seizing painfully.
"Yes, but I thought I could control more than I did." He stared at the man's struggling chest. "I thought my opinion would matter to my father."
"Times were tough...No wonder...your father does not...forgive easily...To be king is to...rule alone."
"But he's not alone, he's got me. I am the future king and he continues to treat me like a child!"
"To all fathers...their children will always...be children...No matter their age." Arthur grimaced.
The man gave a weak chuckle. "Do not fear my prince...You have done more...than I would have...though you would...My end will be soon...and I am content...in the knowledge that...you will some day...be a great king." He took a shuddering breath.
Arthur's chest tightened. "Again, I am sorry that I couldn't do more. I wish there was something, anything, that I could do, change."
The man's eyes were beginning to droop. "When you are king...there will be..." his voice trailed off and eyes shut. He continued to breathe slowly for a while before his chest fell for the last time.
Clenching his jaw Arthur laid the man back, positioning his arms to be crossed over his chest. Staring down at the dead man he briefly touched the man's arm before getting up and turning to Merlin.
"Is he..."
"Yes." Merlin looked shocked for a moment before nodding.
Arthur sighed. "Come on, we should get out of here before-" A loud shout echoed down the hallway. "-something like that happens." He rushed to the cells door, shoving Merlin out before pulling the door closed. "Go Merlin, go!"
Taking off after Merlin they ran towards the less used part of the dungeons, where the guards hadn't bothered setting up torches. Suddenly Merlin seemed to vanish into thin air. Skidding to a halt he spun in a circle, trying to locate him.
"Merlin," he hissed. "Merlin where are-" A hand reached forwards and yanked him inside a concealed alcove. Merlin held a finger to his lips before carefully peering out. Shifting, he tried to find some more space inside the small area. The alcove was particularly well hidden, the walls jutted out on each side of the door making a narrow gap with s large space behind. It allowed someone to squeeze in and be completely hidden from the main corridor unless someone happened to poke a torch inside.
Copying Merlin, he peered out seeing the light and shadows from the torches cast wavering shadows on the walls. As they rounded a corner he yanked his head back inside, snagging Merlin's collar as he did so. Holding his breath he tried to shrink back into the alcove as they came closer. The group was made out of roughly a dozen men.
"They're probably hiding in this area, where there aren't any torches," states the man in charge. "A couple of you go ahead and scout around, some of your stay around here and the rest will come with me to check back where we've just come from." The group divided up, four men remaining in the area, closely examining the surrounding cells. Swallowing he leant further away from the opening, feeling Merlin do the same.
"What do we do?" breathed Merlin.
"Don't move," he whispered back, hoping that the men wouldn't see them. Amongst the four men, they only had one torch, which was quite stupid really; he'd have to talk to them later about that-
A sudden itching in his nose caused him to freeze. The stuff that Gaius had rubbed on to his face still smelled, and why he had been distracted by the man back in the cell, his nose seemed to have deemed it as time to get revenge. Lifting his arm it got caught on Merlin's coat. Cursing inside his head he tried to quietly untangle his arm, while Merlin shifted and fidgeted besides him.
"What was that?" Freezing, they peered out cautiously to see one of the guards coming closer. Desperately hold back the sneeze Arthur resisted the urge to move. If he moved, the guard would see the movement and get even more suspicious. The guard slowly walked closer, peering around into the shadows. Arthur could feel Merlin's body going tense all over. Mentally trying to come up with and excuse as of why they would be there and how the guard shouldn't tell his father about this the guard walked past, not even hesitating.
Relieved, his head dropped back to softly thump against the wall. Merlin glanced up at him and they shared a grin. Success!
The sudden itching of his nose caused his eyes to widen and before he could successfully untangle his arm from Merlin's coat he sneezed. Loudly.
Eyes and nose running he saw Merlin wince and mouth, "Oops."
Arthur couldn't agree more.
-)-(-
Uther paced angrily in front of him. His face was slowly changing from red to a dark shade of purple. Arthur held his head high, shoulders straight, despite the fact that the guards were restraining him, hands held tightly behind his back. The guards were a lot more lenient towards him then Merlin, he was hunched over, face grimacing in pain at the guards grip.
Uther finally stopped pacing and stared into Arthur's eyes. Arthur stared back, refusing to be cowed. Releasing a too steady breath, he said, "I cannot believe you would do something like this Arthur."
Arthur didn't say anything. Uther continued. "The fact that you went – willingly! – to the sorcerer despite knowing, full well, how dangerous they are, astounds me more than anything you have ever done! Why would you do such a thing?"
"I went because I thought it was the right thing to do. The man was sick and dying, despite his conviction, he did not deserve to suffer during his last few hours of life, so I took the tonic that Gaius made."
"Why did Gaius make such a tonic?" asked Uther suspiciously.
"He made it because he is a physician, and if he had it within his ability to help someone, he would try. So he made the tonic and gave it to Merlin to take to the man."
Uther's eyes flicked to Merlin. "Ah, yes, your manservant. Is he the one who planted the idea into your head?" Merlin paled.
"No!" he half shouted. At Uther's suspicious look he back peddled. "Merlin only came along because I ordered him to. I needed someone to keep a look out while I tended to the man. I needed someone I could trust." Merlin gave him a slightly surprised look which he ignored.
"He seems to be around during almost all of your...unusual decisions."
"A coincidence," he stated firmly. Uther frown at him for a moment before returning to pacing.
"You leave me no choice Arthur; I am going to have to punish you for this behaviour." He glanced at Arthur, who made a conscious effort not to react. He would not act like some young child caught stealing from the kitchens.
"Punish me as you see fit, sire, I do not care. I did what I believed to be right and you cannot change that. I will gladly take my punishment, whether it is extra duties or time spent in the dungeons." He stared at his father, eyes half challenging him.
Uther's frown deepened, dark eyes staring deep into Arthur's trying to find a hint of remorse. Finding none he muttered and turned away, stepping up to his throne and sitting heavily on it. His eyes returned to Arthur. Minutes trickled by as he stared. Arthur's back ached, but he ignored it, resisting the urge to shift or fidget.
To his right Merlin winced and attempted to move his arms slightly, the guards grip obviously causing him discomfort. Uther's eyes darted to Merlin and took in Merlin's hunching figure. His eyes narrowed. Arthur internally frowned. What could his father be up to?
Abruptly, Uther stood. "I have decided. Arthur, seeing as you will not learn a lesson from any punishment I give you, you leave me no choice." Arthur tensed. "Tomorrow, you servant will be taking your punishment."
Arthur gasped. "Wh- no! You can't do that! Merlin did not have any voluntary part in this! I ordered-"
"And for that reason he is involved, whether it voluntary or not. You will learn that your actions have consequences on others." Uther gestured to the guards. "Take the servant to the dungeons."
"No!" Arthur struggled with the guards grip. "As his master, I demand to know what sort of punishment you have decided."
Uther stared at him for a moment, eyes contemplating. "He shall receive ten lashes. Tomorrow morning."
Arthur felt his face paling. "You can't!"
Uther suddenly stepped up close. "I think you will find that I can." He nodded at the guards who had paused in taking Merlin away. Seeing his nod, they proceeded to half drag, half lead Merlin out who was staring at the king in shock.
Arthur struggled against the guards hands. "Release me!" They hesitated.
"No," commanded his father. "Take him to his rooms and lock him in. Make sure that he does not leave. Tomorrow, lead him down to the courtyard. He will watch the flogging."
Arthur struggled as they pulled him to the door, glaring at his father. He couldn't believe that his father would do this! "Please, father, don't do this!"
"You leave me no choice." His father turned away, dismissing him. Arthur shouted in frustration as he was led away.
Reaching his rooms he was led inside, guards leaving quickly and slamming the door before he could get out. Hearing the lock click he hit the door, yelling for them to let him out.
Half an hour later he slumped against the door, forehead resting against the rough wood. Groaning he turned and slid down the wall, landing heavily on the stone floor. Looking around his darkened room he sighed as he saw his armour lying on the floor unpolished. Trust Merlin. Getting up he picked he picked his helmet up. His shadowed face, only just illuminated enough by the moon stared back. His face still had the ridiculous green paste smeared on it.
Rubbing furiously at his face he winced as he pressed too hard on his now bruised cheek. Staring back into the metal his eyes couldn't pick up the discolouration. Growling he threw the helmet away. Slumping to sit on the floor beside his bed he stared unseeingly across the room. He had failed that man. He had failed Merlin. What kind of king would he be if he kept failing everybody?
Clenching his jaw he bowed his head and waited.
-)-(-
The next morning Arthur was roused by someone unlocking and opening his door. Looking up from where he sat he saw some guards enter. Pushing himself up, slightly unsteady he walked over. Hands clenched tight, he felt them put a hand on his shoulder and led him out. Holding his back straight he imagined that they weren't really leading him. That he was walking himself.
Reaching the courtyard he blinked at how deserted it was. Usually servants would be walking back and forth, especially at such an early hour.
Ahead of him, he saw his father standing before a pole, arms held behind his back and face blank. Besides him Morgana stood, looking confused, with her maid, Guinevere, standing a step behind her. Gaius was also present, standing a few paces to the side of Uther. His face was emotionless, but Arthur could see his eyes flick to Arthur knowingly.
Arthur was led up to his father. Uther observed him for a moment, taking in his rumpled hair and clothes, and his sleep deprived state. Arthur hadn't been able to sleep. He kept envisioning Merlin being whipped. He had seen a man whipped only once before. He had been about ten. He hadn't really known what the man had done, but Uther had made him watch. The man had been strung up and given twenty lashes. At the end of it he was bleeding profusely and was sobbing. Arthur had sworn that he could see bits of flesh attached to the whip. He had glanced up at his father to see if it had affected him, but Uther had just stared uncaringly at the man and had him taken away.
He did not want to see Merlin go through the same thing.
"Arthur."
"Sire." Arthur caught the tightening around Uther's face as he said this.
Eyes still on Arthur, Uther called, "Bring the prisoner."
Arthur was led to stand by his father, hands still firm on his shoulders. From his position, the pole was directly in front of him. Looking across the courtyard he saw two guards pull Merlin forward, who looked about as tired as Arthur did. He also looked terrified.
Swallowing, Arthur watched as Merlin was led over and tied to the pole, shirt and jacket removed before his arms were raised and tied in front of him. Arthur could clearly see where the rope dug into Merlin skin, the skin going slightly red. He was tied facing Arthur, blue eyes darting between them all.
The guards stood back, leaving Merlin alone. Behind him Arthur could see another guard striding forward with a flogger. It was akin to whips used by the Romans, multiple lengths of rope attached to a handle, with bits of bone and glass woven into the cords. It was quite dangerous, if it whipped around to the front just right, it could take out a person's eye. Even if it didn't, the sharp bits would dig in and pull at the skin.
The guard stopped a few feet back from Merlin and nodded at Uther, who nodded back. The guard was about the same age as Uther, and had scars all over his exposed arms and a few on his face. His face was emotionless as he flexed the whip.
Uther turned to Arthur. "As punishment for going to the sorcerer, breaking into his cell and for disobeying my orders, your servant will be given ten lashes. Do you understand, Arthur?"
He nodded. "Yes."
Uther turned to Merlin. "Do you understand, Merlin?"
Merlin licked his lips before responding. "Y-yes."
Uther gestured to the guard. "Begin."
The guard flexed his wrist, testing the whip before taking half a step forward. Merlin's eyes darted to Arthur's, locking his gaze in place as the whip rose and descended.
CRACK!
Merlin gave a choked cry, body jerking against the pole.
"One," said Uther.
CRACK!
Merlin again cried out, body jerking, arms pulling at the ropes.
"Two."
CRACK!
Merlin whimpered, biting his lip harshly, trying to keep in the sound.
"Three."
CRACK!
"Four."
CRACK!
"Five."
CRACK!
Merlin gave a short scream, body arching violently. Arthur vaguely heard Morgana gasp as he tugged at the restricting hands.
"Six."
CRACK!
Arthur flinched as something landed on his cheek. Looking down he saw spots of blood slowly soak into his shirt.
"Seven."
CRACK!
Merlin started sobbing, chest heaving as he slumped against the pole.
"Eight."
CRACK!
"Nine." Arthur clenched his hands. One more Merlin, one more. Hold on.
CRACK!
"Ten." Uther paused. "Cut him down." The guards moved forward and cut the ropes. Merlin slumped to the ground, groaning. Gaius and Guinevere hurried forward, quickly kneeling, as Morgana stayed where she was, trying to see past them to Merlin. Arthur tugged at his arms, trying to get free.
Uther turned away from Merlin and looked at Arthur. Arthur looked away from Merlin and glared at him.
"You didn't have to do this."
"You gave me no choice." Uther put a hand on his shoulder. "Learn from this experience Arthur. Your actions always have consequences." He let go of Arthur's shoulder and walked back into the castle.
Arthur jerked his arms and the guards let go. Running to Merlin he saw Morgana glance at the doorway, making sure Uther was gone before hurrying over. Arthur thumped to his knees beside Merlin's prone body. Guinevere had his head on her lap and was softly stroking his hair while Gaius wiped at the welling blood on Merlin's back. The blood was a stark contrast to the white of Merlin's back, and there were scratches and smaller marks littering his back where the bone and glass had scratched him, and on his right shoulder there was a deep scratch where the whip had wrapped around and one of the barbs had dug in and pulled. Arthur reached out to comfort Merlin, who was still gasping and sobbing, but paused, unsure of where to put his hand. It was so red!
"Is he...is he all right Gaius?" asked Morgana hesitantly.
"He's as well as can be expected," said Gaius softly. "We have to get him inside." Arthur nodded.
"Okay." He paused. "How do I pick him up?"
"In any way you can." Frowning, Arthur awkwardly lifted Merlin over his shoulder, his chest bones digging into Arthur's shoulder, before pushing himself up.
"Is there anything we can do Gaius?" asked Morgana.
He hesitated. "If Gwen could go fetch some more water, and if you could send for some food, nothing too big, bread or rolls preferably, that would be good. We'll meet you back in my chambers." They nodded, before rushing off. Arthur started jogging for Gaius chambers, but at Merlin's groan he slowed.
"He...He is going to be okay Gaius," said Arthur, hesitantly. "Right?"
Gaius sighed. "He shall be fine, but it will take time." Arthur nodded.
Reaching Gaius chambers, Gaius opened the door, and Arthur rushed through, reaching the cot in the middle of the room and depositing Merlin carefully. Despite his care Merlin still cried out and groaned.
Gaius had started bustling around the room, picking up vials and bottles, throwing some ingredients into a bowl and others just placing them down. Arthur watched him for a moment before looking back at Merlin, who had his hands clenched beside his head, eyes screwed shut. Blood continued to ooze out of his back, sliding down his sides.
"Here," said Gaius, thrusting a damp cloth into his hands. "Wipe the blood away."
Taking the cloth he tentatively pressed it against Merlin's back. Merlin tensed and his breath caught before he relaxed. Wiping away at more of the blood, Arthur heard Gwen clatter into the room.
"Ah! Gwen, good. Now, set about half of the water to boil and bring me the rest," called Gaius. Arthur half watched as she set the water to boil before helping Gaius.
The cloth Arthur was using was just about totally red when Gaius hurried over, gesturing to Gwen to fetch the boiled water. Gaius stopped him and looked at the wounds, which were still slowly oozing. He grunted before dipping another cloth into the hot water. Methodically he wiped all the wounds again with the cloth, ignoring Merlin's flinches. Gwen was frowning and stroking Merlin's head again and Arthur clenched his hands together, at loss of what to do.
A quick knock sounded and Morgana entered, holding a plate. "I've got the food. How is he?"
"I'm about to apply a paste. It should help numb the area and help it heal," said Gaius. Picking up a bowl he stirred it quickly for a moment before dipping his fingers into it. He reached his hand over Merlin's back and hesitated. "You might want to restrain him; this will sting greatly at first."
Arthur put one hand on Merlin's uninjured shoulder and one on his thigh, the wounds reached quite low on his back. Gwen held his head while Morgana hesitantly held his other arm down. Gaius waited for a moment before applying the brown mixture to one of the wounds. Merlin flinched before relaxing for a moment. He then cried out, body jerking away from Gaius touch. The three of them held him down, trying not to cause him any more pain. Faintly Arthur could him sobbing into his pillow, "No more, please, no more. It hurts!"
"I know, Merlin, I know, just a little more," murmured Gaius, hands still steadily applying the mixture, despite how much Merlin jerked. Eventually his finished and got up, leaving Merlin's back streaked with red and brown, and Merlin a sobbing mess. Guinevere continued to stroke his hair, softly murmuring to him as Arthur tentatively let go and sat back with Morgana doing the same.
Gaius reached for a vial, looking carefully at it before indicating to Arthur. "If you could sire, turn him a little so he could drink this."
Hesitant about moving Merlin after everything, he half turned him over, hands holding him steady in case he slipped on to his back.
Gaius leaned forward holding the vial. "Come Merlin, drink this and you'll feel better." Merlin tiredly shook his head.
"No," he whispered, eyes shut. "No, just leave me alone. Please." His voice cracked.
"Please Merlin, just this last thing, and then you will be left alone. I promise." Merlin shook his head, keeping his mouth shut.
Grimacing, Arthur ordered. "Merlin, drink it!" Merlin flinched, eyes opening for a second and glancing at him before shutting again. A second passed and he opened his mouth silently. Gaius quickly tilted the vial back, the liquid trickling into his mouth. Finishing the vial Merlin coughed slightly before turning his head to the pillow, exhausted.
Arthur gently turned him back over on to his stomach before sitting back, watching Merlin. He fidgeted a little before sighing and fully relaxing, breaths evening out until he fell asleep. He glanced up at Gaius and asked, "Why couldn't you have given this to him sooner?"
"It need to sit for a few minutes, and he was slightly too hysterical to take it," replied Gaius.
"It's awful what Uther did to him," murmured Morgana. "Absolutely cruel."
"How could you let him, sire?" asked Guinevere, looking up at him. "Why didn't you stop him?"
"I-I tried," he stammered. "He wouldn't listen, and I had no idea that he had such a thing in mind. If I had, I wouldn't have said what I did."
"Don't," Morgana said suddenly. "Don't say that! What Uther did to Merlin is horrible, but don't let what just happened change your mind. You stood up for what you believed in, and you didn't regret it when you were to be punished."
"But I regret it now! If I hadn't have said those things or gone to that man, father would never have done this to Merlin!"
"Merlin wouldn't want you to beat yourself up about those choices."
"But I am!" he shouted. "It was me Morgana, who didn't send him back when he followed me to the dungeons. It was me who made the choice to go. It was me who spoke against my father. I made all of those decisions, and I am not the one is now suffering! Merlin is! Stupid, daft Merlin, who, because of my actions, is now lying here whipped and broken! How am I suppose to live with myself when I know that it is I who caused him this much pain! How am I supposed to look him in the eye after this?" He sighed heavily. "He'll hate me Morgana."
Morgana was silent.
"He won't hate you," said Guinevere quietly. Arthur looked at her. "He won't. He never says it, but he's proud of you, sire, and he respects and admires you. I...I don't think he could ever hate you."
He gave a harsh, short laugh. "We'll see."
AN: So... more or no more? :) let me know