chapter1
Merlin walked into Arthurs chambers holding a tray with breakfast on it. The servant smiled at the sleeping prince before turning and laying the tray on the table. Then Merlin turned back to the bed. He smiled, then tiptoed to the sleeping Arthur.
Merlin brought his face close to the princes.
"Arthur?" All he got in return was a light snore. So Merlin reached out his hand and gently flicked the prince on the tip of his nose.
Arthur opened one eye. "What?"
Merlin smiled. "Time to wake up. It's a big day."
"Big day how?" Arthur asked as he sat up.
"The king said that he made a deal with a nearby kingdom. He wants you to be there." Merlin said, as he made his way to the table. He picked up a few strawberries, then bit one as he made his way back to Arthur.
Arthur rubbed his face. "What kingdom? He didn't inform me about any plans." When he removed his hand from his face it was to see Merlin holding out the bitten strawberry. The prince leaned forward and bit down the rest of the strawberry.
Merlin smiled then brought his lips to Arthur in a quick kiss.
It had been two years since they got together. The 19 year old Prince Arthur and the 17 year old servant Merlin. Of course, it had taken Arthur quite the push to accept the fact that Merlin had his heart.
And that push was from none other than Arthurs closest friend and almost sister, Morgana. The kings ward. That was how the prince was able to keep their love secret the whole time with the help of Morgana.
Merlin bit the second strawberry, then brought that one to Arthurs mouth too, which the prince excepted.
As Merlin chewed the strawberry, he walked back to the table.
"That's the point. Your father didn't let anyone know. He sent a messenger this morning. The whole kingdoms surprised that he would just wake up one morning and decide to make peace with someone."
Arthur raised an eyebrow. "What's that suppose to mean?"
"Um..." Merlin already swallowed the strawberry he was chewing, so he poped a few grapes into his mouth, then walked over to Arthur and poped some in the princes mouth too. "Don't talk with your mouth full. You're the prince after all. I'll get your bath ready." Merlin turned back to the table and popped a few more grapes in his mouth. He smiled as he could feel the glare Arthur was sending his way.
XOXOXOXO
Arthur walked into the throne room, Merlin by his side. The prince walked up to his father, who sat on the throne. And next to him sat Morgana, who sent a smile Merlins way.
The servant sent a smile and a quick wave towards the Wards way.
"Father? What's happened? What kindom have you bargined with?"
Uther got up from the throne. "Arthur, son. Do not worry about that now. They will be here at any minute." The king grabbed Arthurs sword from his side and brought it to his own.
"So soon? Father was is going on?"
"Son, I said-"
"Your masjesty!" A knight ran into the throne room. "He's here."
Uther nodded to the knight. Then he turned to Arthur. "Son, do not mess this up. Do not speak unless I say. That goes for you as well." Uther glared at Merlin. "I will not have a fool of a servant mess this up." The King then turned back to Arthur. "Remember son, this is a time to make peace." The last words spoken before some knights walked into the throne room. All lining up side by side.
Uther brought his hands behind his back and stood up straight.
Arthur raised an eyebrow confused. Uther was never so formal and never so worried about messing up a contract for peace. What was going on?
The princes question was answered when a man came into the throne room. Arthur took a step forward his brows narrowed, and mouth slightly open.
All the knights in the room silenced and stared at the man.
Merlin looked around the room. He noticed the complete silence. The distressed looks on everyones face. Then he looked back to the King that now made his way to Uther.
The man with long dark hair, even darker eyes, light skinned but with a very dark gaze, especially when he sent a smile towards the King and Arthur. But the dark Kings smile lightly faded when he laid eyes on Merlin. His dark eyes trailed the boys big blue.
Merlin stared back for a few seconds before he looked to the ground. He could see his own chest rising and falling. When had his breathing picked up so much?
"Cenred." Uther said.
Merlins eyes trailed up to Uther but his head stood towards the ground.
"Uther. I hear you have a request to make of me." The dark King spoke, and his voice sent chills down Merlins spine.
Uther nodded. "It is true. While I know we have not agreed in the past, I hope we can come to an... arangement."
Cenreds eyes trailed from Uther to Arthur then to Merlin, who was staring at Arthur. The dark King saw something there in the way the servant looked at the younger Pendragon.
Cenred smiled darkly. "We may come to some sort of agreement. But first I must know a few things."
Uther nodded once. "Anything to make peace with a kingdom so close. You are welcome to stay the night if you wish."
Cenred nodded once.
"Very well." Uther turned to Merlin. "Get some rooms for our guests." He ordered.
Merlin bowed, then turned to leave.
"Boy." Merlin turned back to Uther. "Remember what I told you."
Merlins eyes trailed to Arthurs, who sent a small smile and an even smaller nod. Merlin turned back to Uther and nodded. "Of course, sire." Then he turned and left.
Cenreds eyes trailing his every move.
XOXOXOXO
Even through dinner time, he watched the boy. How he served. How he adressed everyone. How the boy seemed to be comunicating with even the knights and the Lady Morgana.
"So. Your highness,"Arthur had to force the words out of his mouth. "When you and my father come to this...arangement, how long do you expect it to last?"
"Arthur!" Uther hissed.
"No, no, no." Cenred interupted. "It's perfectly fine. After all Arthur is the heir to your throne. I expect he wants the peace to continue, even after you take your fall." He smiled.
"I also expect that he will sacrifice anything just as his father will."
Uther glared at Arthur. "I do hope so."
"No need to worry, father. I know what is at stake here. Our kingdom needs as much peace as possible."
Cenred smiled darkly. "Good."
Uther shook his head. "So... King Cenred how long as it been since you inherited the throne to your kingdom?" He asked. Anything to make... friendly talk.
"I'm afraid it's been quite some time. About 10 years. I was 19 when my parents past. All those years in a big castle can get... lonely."
"Sorry to hear that." Uther said. "You have never married?"
Cenred shook his head. "No. But I have been searching."
"You've been searching for bride?" Uther smiled. "How about the lady Morgana?"
The wards eyes widen. Arthurs brows narrowed at his father.
"She seems suitable." Cenred said. He smiled at the frighten woman. "But i'm afraid i'm not looking for someone so... formal."
The ward let out a breath she had been holding.
"No?" Uther asked confused. "I figured you'd want someone of your standards."
Cenred smiled darkly again. "Lets just say King Cenred picks who he chambers through... varieties."
Arthur spit the wine out that he had been sipping.
Uther glared at his son once again before turning to Cenred. "You mean servants?"
"No." Cenred turned to Arthur. "What would you give to have peace in your land?"
"My son would give anything." Uther interupted.
Cenred got closer to Arthur. "Anything?" He asked. "How many trinkets do you have?"
Arthur stared confused. "I'm the prince. I have more than enough."
Cenred got closer and said low. "Then you wouldn't mind giving me that one." Cenred pointed near Morgana.
Arthurs eyes trailed to where Merlin was pouring wine in Morganas cup. The princes brows narrowed. He turned back to Cenred, who was still smiling.
"The prince has many trinkets. But Merlins not for sale." Arthur said as kindly as possible.
Cenred raised an eyebrow. "So, Merlins his name." His eyes trailed to the boy, who was smiling as he spoke with Morgana. "Very unique name for a very unique face."
Arthur bit the inside of his cheek.
"Heres the deal, Uther." Cenred said a bit louder. The people at the table turned to to face him. "I'll give you 10,000 gold pieces and sign your contract... for the boy." He pointed.
Merlin dropped the pitcher he was holding, making the contents drop to the ground and he froze. He stared wide eyed at Cenred.
Uthers eyes trailed from Merlin to Cenred. "Your joking? The boys a fool. A clumsy oaf."
"He can be taught." Cenred said.
"Merlins not for sale!" Arthur yelled, making everyone turn towards the boy.
Cenred raised his hand out to one of his knights next to him. The knight handed the King a rolled up scroll. Cenred unrolled the paper then held out his hand again. Now he was handed a quill.
The king pushed his meal away and brought the paper down, quill hovering right over it. His eyes trailed to Uthers.
The King eyed the contract. It was so close. Right there. A few feet away. A manservant away. Uther turned and eyed Arthur whos brows were narrowed at Cenred. Then his eyes trailed to Merlin.
The skinny idiot who never did a thing right.
Uther didn't see what Cenred saw in the boy. The boy was a mess. How could anyone offer 10,000 gold pieces for an oaf of a servant?
10,000 gold pieces and the contract.
Arthur could always get another man-servant. A better one. Arthur would be angry. But after a while he'll see it was for the good of the kingdom. One boy isn't worth risking the kingdom.
Uther turned back to Cenred. "Sign the contract."
"What!" Arthur yelled.
Murmers went throughout the room.
Merlin shook his head. His chest tightend, and his stomach turned. His eyes watered. It couldn't be real. It just couldn't.
"No!" Arthur yelled he reached out and grabbed the contract from Cenred. The Dark King stared up at the young prince.
Uther jumped from his seat. "Guards! Take my son to his room. Do not let him out until Cenred has left the kingdom."
The gaurds started gathering around Arthur, who started to back away. He brought the contract into the belt around his waist. "Merlin! Come with me." He reached out a hand.
Uther saw the gester and his brows narrowed.
"Grab him!" He pointed to Merlin, who had only taken three steps towards Arthur, before he was grabbed around the waist by strong arms.
Merlin screamed.
"No! Get off me!" He struggled as he watched Arthur struggle with four knights of Uthers as they dragged the prince out of the throne room.
"Arthur!"
"Everybody out!" Uther yelled. This is between us Kings." Everyone started to leave. "Except you two." Uther said to the two knights of Cenreds that were holding Merlin.
Uther handed Cenred the crumbled up contract. "Sorry about this. My son... it seems he has a connection with this manservant." He turned to Merlin.
Merlin stared back with teary eyes.
King Uther walked up to Merlin. The king stood staring for a few moments, before he lashed out and slapped the servant.
Merlin stood with his head to the side, shocked.
"If I ever see you in this kingdom again. Anywhere near the prince, I will kill you."
Merlin turned back to the king. "W-what did I do?" He was sent another slap.
"I have heard rumors about my son and his servant." Uther shook his head disgusted. "I never thought my own son would actually stoop so low."
Merlin turned back to Uther and gulped.
Cenred stood up from his seat and handed Uther the contract. "I will bring you the pieces of gold."
Uther shook his head as he still stared at Merlin. "No need. You are doing me a favor my taking this... piece of filth." He spat.
Cenred nodded. "I.. think it be best we depart early."
Uther nodded. "Take him far away."
Cenred walked up to Merlin. "I plan to." He growled. He leaned over the servant.
Merlin backed his head into one of Cenreds men that was holding him.
Cenred reached out a hand and ran it down Merlins cheek. "So soft."
Merlins breathing picked up. He shut his eyes when Cenred grabbed his jaw tight. "We're going home, boy."
Merlin reopened his eyes to see Cenred smiling as dark as always.
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