Hello! Lately my newest inspiration for stories comes from the BBC show Merlin! This will be a Merthur pairing; however I am open to suggestions for filler pairings before the actual Merthur goodness ensues.

Disclaimer: I do not own Merlin or its characters.

Prologue

King Uther Pendragon of Camelot had not always despised magic. There once was a time when he embraced it and it's users. However, when the death of his wife during childbirth occurred, Uther blamed magic, instead of his own selfish desires for an heir. He placed a ban on magic and began executing all those who used it. The only magic user allowed to live in Camelot was the trusted physician Gaius, under the vow that he would never use magic again, as well as keep the truth of Arthur, his son's, birth a secret. A year after the ban had been imposed, Uther found a baby abandoned in the forest. He took the child with him to the castle, where Gaius inspected it. "It's a boy, your majesty." Gaius said. Uther seemed pleased, until he heard the rest of Gaius' news. "Your Majesty!" he exclaimed, "This child is of magic!" "No, it cannot be," Uther protested, "no one is born with magic, it must be learned." Gaius shook his head. "That's what I thought as well, however I have heard of a few rare individuals with natural born magic." Uther sighed. "Well, there is nothing I can do. The law must be upheld. Execute the child." Before the guards could reach the child, Gaius cried out. "Wait!" Uther turned. "There may be another way, Your Majesty." Uther motioned for him to continue. "A child born with magic is likely to be incredibly powerful. If you raise him as your ward, you can use him to fend off magical attacks on Camelot." Uther narrowed his eyes. "Magic cannot be trusted. How do I know this child will not betray me?" Gaius gave him the 'eyebrow quirk of doom.' "If you mold him to believe your every word, my lord, he will be at your mercy forever." Uther ushered everyone out of the room, leaving him alone with the child. He cradled him in his arms, looking into the innocent, soulful blue eyes of the young boy, which occasionally flashed a magical gold. After an hour of thinking, the boy was moved into a room, and named Merlin.

Sixteen years later

Merlin ran down the magnificent halls, his long blue robes trailing behind him as he headed to Gaius' chambers. When he finally reached the door, he quickly composed himself and knocked twice before the door swung open. Standing in the entrance was Gaius, the court physician. Gaius had become Merlin's closest friend in the castle. He was the one who had helped Merlin control and develop his magical gifts. "Merlin," he said, quirking his eyebrow, "what can I do for you?"

Merlin smiled at him. "I was wondering if you had any headache tonics left, Will has been feeling ill." "Ah yes, your servant boy, I believe I have his prescription somewhere..." Gaius motioned Merlin inside as he sorted through various concoctions. "Aha!" he said, handing Merlin a small bottle with dark green liquid in it. "Give this to the boy, it should take the edge off. Oh, and could you take this to King Uther? He's been groaning about his shoulder pains for ages." Merlin grinned. "Of course, and thank you." Gaius bowed as Merlin rushed off to deliver the tonics. Unlike Arthur and Morgana, Merlin liked to keep himself busy with small tasks when he wasn't practicing his magic. As he rounded a corner, his head slammed into the chest of the future king, Arthur Pendragon.

Arthur Pendragon was an impressive sight. Standing at six feet he towered over all but Uther in the castle. His broad shoulders and chiseled muscles were from hours of combat training. Despite his more attractive features, Merlin still saw him as the same prat who used to make fun of him when he played tea party with Morgana as a child. Arthur smirked down at Merlin. "Ah, good afternoon, Merlin. And what is so frightening you that you've found solace in my arms?"

Merlin glared up at him. "If you weren't skulking about the corridors this wouldn't have happened." Arthur rolled his eye. "Idiot," he murmured. Merlin regained his posture and walked past Arthur with as much grace as he could manage. Arthur shook his head and continued down the hall.

Merlin entered the throne room. The spacious hall bore immense light pouring in from the many windows it contained. Seated in the king's chair was Uther Pendragon, the king of Camelot. He looked up and smiled at the appearance of his ward. "Ah, Merlin, what can I do for you?" Merlin smiled back at the father figure of his life. "Gaius asked me to bring you your medicine, my lord." Uther shook his head, much like his son had, at Merlin. "You're kindness to others never ceases to amaze me. You are perhaps the only child of nobility who would rather work like a commoner rather than enjoy a life of luxury." Merlin frowned at the comment. "One day," Merlin responded, "I will be old and weary, and then I shall be a sluggish lay about." Uther chuckled. "That you will, but until then, I'd say you better start thinking about choosing someone to grow old and weary with." At this Merlin groaned. Uther narrowed his eyes, his tone serious. "Lady Helen will be here tomorrow for the feast, and she's bringing a knight as your potential suitor." Merlin sighed. "I shall respect your wishes and entertain the notion of a suitor, however I fear the poor bloke doesn't know what he's in for." Uther's laugh boomed through the hall as Merlin ambled out of the throne room.

That night, as Merlin readied himself for bed, he heard a knock on the door from the servant's quarters. Will, his manservant, entered a moment later, bringing fresh linens for the next day. "I heard about your suitor arriving tomorrow night," he said, changing the bed sheets as he spoke. "He sounds like a decent bloke." Merlin rolled his eyes at his servant's tone. "It's just an obligatory conversation or two during the feast. I'd hardly call him a suitor until he's done something suitable." Both Merlin and Will laughed at this. "You have nothing to fear, Will, I won't be leaving you at the mercy of Arthur Pratdragon any time soon." Will smiled and bowed. "Goodnight, sire." He left the room before Merlin had a chance to reply. Merlin climbed into bed, his eyelids growing heavy as he fell into a dreamless sleep.

And that's chapter one! As I said in the summary, Uther is super OOC for this AU. I hope that doesn't ruin the story. Suggestions for Merlin's suitor would be lovely. Reviews are crack!