"Yes sire. Absolutely sire."
"And then you'll polish my armor, muck out the stables, and go find that traditional dress hat you look so handsome in for the feast tonight."
"…"
Huh, Merlin always objects to that, Arthur thinks. He looks up to find Merlin nodding at him, not the faintest hint of complaint on his face. He's already started polishing the armor too. Merlin's never that quick or efficient.
"Trying a new tactic, are we? Actually performing your duties without complaint? It's a nice fit."
"Yes, sire. I endeavor to please you sire." Merlin responds.
"Wow, that's actually a little disconcerting, Merlin. You can act normal now. I know how much you hate wearing the hat. And hearing your objections is half the fun." Arthur says, startled into honesty he wouldn't normally share by Merlin's unusual behavior.
Arthur looks up at Merlin to see an expression of great concentration on his face. "Whatever you wish, sire." He replies at length, "If my objecting makes you happy, then I object!" There's a wide cheery grin stretching Merlin's mouth and alighting his eyes.
"Huh" Arthur says, smiling. He doesn't understand Merlin some of the time, well, most of the time really, but he can't help but smile himself when he sees Merlin grin like that. "Alright, then."
Merlin continues to act strangely all throughout the feast. He doesn't fill Arthur's glass until Arthur orders him too, "Why don't you take a hint and refill my goblet when it's empty, Merlin?", but then every additional time Arthur's glass runs low Merlin is right there filling it.
Two hours into the feast when the eating is mostly finished, Sir Gwaine greets Arthur at his table. He suggests Arthur do a princely jig to start the festivities. Arthur scowls at him, hoping to convey his extreme disapproval of Gwaine's blatant disrespect for royalty, only to see Gwaine erupting into laughter. Well, no surprise there really. Gwaine has always been an idiot.
"Merlin will dance for me, won't you Merlin?" Gwaine calls turning to Merlin. "Show Arthur a proper princely jig!"
Arthur and Gwaine both shift their eyes to Merlin, waiting to hear him let Gwaine down gently. For some reason Merlin never treated Gwaine to the same scathing retorts he threw at Arthur. Arthur isn't bitter about that in the slightest. He's a better swordsman then Gwaine anyway, and the PRINCE! And his hair is just as soft.
The gentle retort never came.
Merlin nodded and lifted his feet off the ground and his hands in the air and began to jump around in a rather good interpretation of a jig, hat flopping merrily along with him. Gwaine and Arthur stared at him jaws hanging open.
Arthur didn't even think Merlin had the coordination to dance. He notices the attention they are drawing though, especially that of his father who already questions his decision to keep Merlin as his manservant enough without needing this newest display of idiocy, and orders Merlin to stop. Merlin stops immediately.
Gwaine looks shocked, but delighted and says, "I'd prefer it if you keep dancing, Merlin."
And Merlin instantly starts jumping and flailing his arms again. Arthur is incredulous. This isn't like Merlin at all. Merlin's clumsy and easily embarrassed by dancing. Why would he make a spectacle of himself in the middle of the great hall?
It was like Merlin was doing everything someone suggested to him without thinking for himself. Had someone dared him to act this way? Had someone cursed him? Arthur needed to investigate. Merlin would be fine here at the feast.
"Come dance with me, Merlin!" Gwaine calls, holding out his hands for Merlin's and grinning salaciously.
On second thought, Merlin was coming with him, Arthur decided as he pulled Merlin out of the great hall by the elbow.
"I'd rather if you followed me without struggle", Arthur murmured into Merlin's ear. Merlin Immediately went still, then walked after Arthur obediently, elbow slack in Arthur's hand.
Arthur was stunned at the easy obedience and a little overwhelmed with the power. He was the Prince; he was use to people doing as he asked, but not Merlin. Merlin was untamed and fiercely independent. He would snort at orders, follow his own judgment, and still often seemed surprised when someone would order him to do something. As annoying as his insubordination was, it was also what made him more of a friend to Arthur than anyone else. Gwen was sincere with him, and had become more open to speaking her mind, but even she didn't compare to Merlin who would be immediately vocal about even the smallest thing. Merlin challenged him, guided him, and supported him when he needed it. He didn't just mindlessly follow orders. This wasn't Merlin.
Merlin jerking his hand back snatched Arthur from his thoughts. Arthur turns in surprise to see Merlin had tripped. Merlin was apparently even clumsier than usual now and has taken to trailing his hand along the wall with a ridiculously childish smile on his face.
"Alright. We need to get you somewhere safe where we can sort this out. We're almost at my chambers. Just try not trip." Arthur commands. "You look ridiculous." He adds a moment later, in case Merlin thought he was being too nice to him and began to wonder why.
"I'm sorry sire." Merlin responds sadly.
He seems so downtrodden Arthur can't help but pat him reassuringly on the shoulder and mumble that "it will be alright". It's one of the most awkward moments of Arthur's life. Rating right up there with twelve-year-old Morgana stopping sword practice because there was blood running down her leg even though Arthur was SURE he hadn't injured her, and Leon trying to explain to him what 'the french style' meant. Arthur was sure he was doing a terrible job of comforting, although, the ridiculously overdone expression of joy on Merlin's face would have put that of any child getting a puppy to shame. It was only slightly more emphatic than the feeling of relief Arthur experienced as he opened the door to his chambers and shoved Merlin inside.
"Sit down somewhere." Arthur instructs, turning to close and lock the door. "NOT THERE!" He shouts as he turns to see Merlin crawling up his bed. The image of Merlin crawling on his bed is too much and not at all what he needs right now.
Merlin jumps down, clearly upset to have angered Arthur. "Where would you like me, sire?"
"Just sit in the chair, Merlin." Arthur says, forcing a calmness into his tone that he doesn't feel.
Merlin does, but he can't seem to sit still. He's moving his hand up and down the arm of the chair, strokingit and he has the most blissed out happy look on his face. It's beyond distracting. "Merlin, can you focus a little better?" Arthur demands.
"Of course, whatever you want." Merlin responds looking at Arthur directly now and finally still. Arthur finds it even harder to concentrate.
"What's wrong with you, Merlin? Why are you doing this?" He questions frustrated.
"Nothing sire. I seek only to please you."
Arthur inhales. He can't believe Merlin just said that. Not really Merlin though, confused, possibly-cursed Merlin. That thought doesn't stop the flush on his face and neck.
"You clearly aren't any help." Arthur needs to get out of this room. And he needs to do something. He needs to fix this strangely obedient Merlin before his mind starts wandering in dangerous directions. "I'm going to go get Gaius. Stay here where you can't mess anything up. Don't leave this room unless I tell you to…or if there's a fire or something. And try and act normal." There. That should be sufficient, Arthur thinks as he heads off in search of Gaius.
It takes only a short time to find Gaius crouched behind his work bench framed by potion bottles and shrubs hanging from the ceiling. It takes considerably longer to explain what the problem is.
"Gaius, it's Merlin." Arthur begins. "He's not himself." He pauses. Gaius is looking at him intently. "He follows everyone's orders without thought. It's a problem." There. He's explained the situation succinctly and clearly.
"You're saying Merlin is following orders and it's a problem?" Gaius responds inquisitively. Arthur frowns at him. That's not what he means.
"That's not how I meant it. He is not himself. Something is wrong with him." He reiterates.
"You're sure he's not just being a better servant? He did promise me he would try, sire."
"Uhhh!" Arthur sighs exasperatedly. Merlin was clearly not alone in his questioning of royalty. Gaius was just better at hiding his disbelief behind manners. His 'sire' sounded respectful, which regular Merlin still couldn't manage, but it was no less skeptical.
"IT'S LIKE HE HAS NO WILL." Arthur shouts. This seems to click with Gaius because his eyes widen and his head jerks unconsciously in realization. Gaius jumps up quickly, jostling the shrubs around him.
"It is possible someone has removed his will using magic. If this is the case, he will be very suggestible and it is very dangerous indeed."
Arthur feels his chest freeze. This is what he wanted, a name for the problem and a way to start fixing it, but the worry that has overcome Gaius's features worries him as well. Surely Merlin isn't in that much trouble?
"You must go to him immediately. He cannot be left alone in this state. I will gather some ingredients and meet you and Merlin in your chambers as soon as possible." Gaius states.
Arthur nods curtly and turns on his heel. His movements are quick and efficient as he heads back to his room. To Merlin. Perhaps he shouldn't have left Merlin alone. He begins to feel relieved as he sees his chamber door. He will open it to find Merlin fine soon. He opens the door and looks inside. The relief is gone in an instant and the anxiety has mounted to panic. Merlin isn't there.
"Merlin! Merlin come out if you're hiding. I demand it!"
Nothing happens. Arthur is forced to conclude Merlin either isn't there or the curse that forced him to do his bidding has been lifted.
"Merlin, I'll never make you wear that hat again if you come out now." Arthur calls to the seemingly empty room.
No response. Damn it. Merlin isn't there. Curse free Merlin would have responded to that. Where could he be? And why the hell didn't he stay put like Arthur instructed? He had been plenty specific.
Arthur didn't notice that his feet were carrying him on a systematic search of the castle until he'd already asked three servants to help him search and eliminated two castle wings. He'd been acting on auto-pilot, his mind busy blocking out his fear for Merlin's safety with angry rants about Merlin's idiocy. A breathless gasp stops Arthur in his tracks.
A voice follows the gasp, "I can't believe he's actually doing it."
"Don't look a gift horse in the mouth." Answers a harsh, guttural voice, "Or in this case a horny servant." Arthur's barreling through the door interrupts their chuckles. "How dare" is already out of his mouth when he stops, chocked, on the word you. He has to blink to process the group of men in front of him all surrounding a shirtless, panting smaller man in the middle. He can't take his eyes off the shirtless man in the center and it takes him an eternity of a second to realize he's staring straight at Merlin.
Merlin looks up, no expression on his flushed face. He merely seems to be awaiting an order. Arthur is overwhelmed. It takes him moments to sort through his feelings and the most glaring one is unquestionably anger. That these scoundrels would take advantage of a suggestible Merlin to coerce him into sex cannot be condoned. They should hang for this offense. He wants to destroy them. What they could have done to Merlin…in his current condition he wouldn't be able to defend himself at all. He wouldn't be able to say no to anything. And Arthur had only just made it in time to save him. These knights and yes, Arthur recognized all three of them now as members of his own guard were supposed to be men of honor. They needed to die.
Something of his feeling must show on his face, because all three of the knights look startled.
"Sire, we mean no offense." One of them starts.
The others nod at that.
"If he's yours we won't touch him, sire" another one adds.
Arthur's enraged. It's not whether Arthur wants him that matters. It's that Merlin couldn't consent. They were affectively RAPING him. And it is for this that they need to die.
Decision made, Arthur draws his sword and looks at Merlin.
Merlin is standing there, dopey smile on his face. Not at all phased by the events around him. He doesn't seem distressed, or hurt. The knights had been assaulting an impaired Merlin, but, and the conclusion is obvious from the terror and confusion on the knights' faces, they didn't realize it. How could they? Who stops and examines a willing partner for signs of a curse?
Arthur takes a deep breath and sheaths his sword.
What to do? It is not just to kill them for a crime they did not know they were committing. It is also critical that he resolves this situation as quietly as possible and that he keeps the knowledge that Merlin is suffering from a curse secret. That information could be used against Merlin easily and the more people who know the more dangerous it is for him.
"You will speak of this to no one. You do not have the right to corner and coerce servants of my household into performing sexual favors for you. If I find out this has happened again with any of my household staff, you will be punished." The threatening undertone of anger in his voice along with the imperious tone is perfect delivery.
"But we didn't coerce him, he came…" The knight speaking stutters and drifts off at the elbow to the ribs given by his companion. Arthur's glare had intensified as he spoke.
Perfect. Arthur thinks. I can let it go like this. They will still think Merlin came willingly, but my behavior can be explained by adamantly believing they forced him. They will stay away from Merlin now, and think twice about sleeping with any of my staff. Now I just have to get out of this room before I kill them.
"Merlin, come with me." Arthur orders as he turns on his heel and exits. Merlin follows him obediently. Arthur only manages three steps past the closed door before he's turned to Merlin, concerned and desperate to know he's alright.
"Merlin, how are you?"
Merlin pauses for a moment, thinking. "Am I fine?" he questions. He looks at Arthur intently, waiting for him to give him the answer. Arthur groans in frustration. Of course Merlin is looking to Arthur to suggest how Merlin feels. He's BLOODY CURSED! Arthur turns again and starts walking briskly back to his room. "Continue following me, Merlin." Arthur reminds his friend, at the absence of footfalls on the stone behind him.
When they reach the safety of Arthur's room once more, Arthur is at a loss as to why Merlin ever left in the first place. He had instructed Merlin to stay here. He had been very specific that he wasn't to go unless Arthur ordered it or some kind of calamity happened.
"Merlin, why did you leave this room?" He was safe here. Arthur had thought he would be fine, now he didn't think he could live with the guilt of what his negligence had almost allowed to happen to Merlin.
"I was to leave the room if there was a fire. There was a fire." Merlin deadpans. Arthur looks at the empty fireplace confused, it is clear nothing has been lit there recently. There were no warning bells. His eye catches the window. He looks down at the grass and then up at the remains of the pyre in the courtyard below. There was a fire. That fire. And now another magic user has been brought to justice.
Arthur's anger has shifted. It's still there, strong and insistent, undoubtedly going to burst forth at a later time; but it's been temporarily locked away. He needs to focus on helping Merlin now; and the solemn mood that overcame him looking out at the witches' pyre he only just realizes was already there. He's been somber from the moment he walked in the room. The anger, while real, had been a distraction from the loss and fear he felt while looking at his friend. Even now, the way Merlin couldn't even tell him about the fire. Merlin couldn't explain; he couldn't express. Merlin eyes now are so vacant and his movements robotic. It's heart breaking and Arthur can't stand it. He can't stand not having his Merlin now and he can't even contemplate what it would be like to never get him back.
It's not going to happen. He will fix this.
He looks over at Merlin standing upright and stiff looking nothing like himself.
"Relax, Merlin." Arthur orders with a long suffering sigh. "Be yourself, do what you want to do."
Merlin looks adorably confused for a moment. He doesn't seem to understand. "Relax? What do I want to do?"
"You want to sit down and look normal." Arthur responds immediately, gesturing towards the chair and sighing exasperatedly. He could throw in that Merlin wanted to shine his shoes or polish his sword, but it just feels wrong on top of nearly getting Merlin hurt just moments ago. He wants to be nice to Merlin. What would Merlin like to do? Merlin wasn't very vocal about his desires. Arthur didn't know if Merlin liked reading, or playing chess. Arthur always liked to take a nice warm bath when he wanted to relax. Did Merlin like baths? He probably never had a proper one. Arthur could tell him to take one. He glances up at Merlin sitting in the chair and smiling rather dopily. He does seem to have relaxed. His long legs are up and crossed on the mahogany table in front of him, something no one but Arthur has ever had the nerve to do in the prince's chambers, and his head is tilted back, neck and Adam's apple exposed. There's a thin gold chain wrapping around his neck that Arthur hasn't seen him wear before. He can see the light dusting of hair around his chin and the line of his lips, tilted into a contented smile. He's closed his eyes, but at Arthur's intent gaze he opens them to reveal twinkling blue eyes.
Arthur breath catches in his throat and his eyes widen. The bath is a bad idea. It's a horrible, terrible idea that while potentially might be relaxing for Merlin would be anything but for Arthur. No, it would be bad for both of them if Merlin took his clothes off right now. Arthur's already imagining him naked and this has GOT TO STOP. Where the hell is Gaius?
Arthur's started pacing without realizing it.
"Is there anything else I should do?" Merlin asks him.
"You should do what you want. Don't just listen to everyone else." Arthur responds. Maybe he can suggest Merlin go back to being himself. Could it be that easy?
"I want whatever you want from me." Merlin, no 'cursed Merlin'Arthur thinks, responds. "I seek only to please you, sire."
Oh, that again, Arthur thinks disgruntled. This is more than his patience can take. He can feel himself getting hard and it's completely inappropriate. Merlin isn't himself. He doesn't mean what he's saying, but Arthur's finding it impossible to convince his body and heart of that. He didn't just jump with arousal at Merlin's words, he could feel his heart clench. He was excited at the possibility of Merlin returning his affection.
Arthur had thought it was ridiculous at first, but he had long come to realize that he saw Merlin as someone he wanted to care for and be with in every way. He had found Merlin's obstinacy and foolish determination attractive from the start, but the more he grew to know him, the more he felt for Merlin as a friend and companion.
Merlin was unquestionably brave, kind, compassionate, and loyal to him. Part of him believed the loyalty was more than just that of a subject's for his prince, and all of him hoped that it was in fact, loyalty to Arthur as a person. What had started out as an attraction had grown until Arthur found Merlin nearly irresistible. He was more defensive about it too, because he couldn't tell if Merlin felt the same, and he couldn't risk being wrong. Princes are not turned down, and Merlin would turn him down if he had misread his signals, Arthur had no doubt about that.
Plus, he didn't know if he could handle losing Merlin's friendship if he was wrong and things became awkward. He was the prince, he should be able to handle anything, but when Merlin nearly died from drinking out of the poisoned chalice, he thought for sure he would die too if he couldn't save him. Going on a dangerous quest, fighting monsters and spiders, climbing up the inside of a mountain in the dark, all of it was nothing compared to the lost emptiness of a world without Merlin. The pain would be unbearable. He realized it then, and that's when he first admitted to himself how much he cared for Merlin.
That didn't mean he could take advantage of a cursed Merlin to stare salaciously at him.
Arthur had, inevitably, started staring at Merlin again as he thought. Merlin was still sitting there, staring at him expectantly. Arthur hadn't answered the question. "What did you ask?"
"How can I please you? What would you have me do?" Merlin repeats. He couldn't possibly realize how this affects Arthur. He has no idea of Arthur's feelings, of that Arthur's reasonably sure. But real Merlin would never ask him this.
"You must want something. Are you tired? You could go to bed. Or if you're hungry we can eat. I want you to do what YOU WANT."Arthur says exasperatedly, once again trying to get Merlin to act with his own will.
"Are you tired?" Merlin asks, tilting his head to the side.
"Yes, I'm exhausted." Arthur replies. He knows he's too wound up to sleep, but he isn't going to tell Merlin that and he does feel exhausted with this matter.
"Then I'm tired too. Let's go to bed." Merlin says confidently, with a smile and nod.
Arthur stares at him wide eyed, mouth open. He couldn't just do that. He couldn't... right? But Merlin asked to go there…he said it was what he wanted. 'Only because you suggested it to him when you implied he should be tired', Arthur's brain supplies unhelpfully. Arthur wants to get into bed with Merlin. He wants to sleep next to him, to lie against him. Would it be so bad?
Merlin has stood and is walking towards Arthur's bed. Arthur can feel himself nodding at Merlin encouragingly as he pauses by the bed.
Merlin smiles back at Arthur as he climbs into the prince's bed. He looks so natural there, yet it's so unbelievable too to see Merlin where Arthur's so often imagined him. Arthur breathes in deeply.
Ah! He's as bad as those ex-knight scoundrels, trying to get Merlin in his bed when he has no ability to choose for himself, Arthur thinks horrified. It's wrong for him to take advantage of Merlin like this. He just wants to lie next to him, but at this rate, who knows if he'll stop if Merlin encourages him. This is wrong. Arthur needs to leave, but he can't leave Merlin alone. Arthur remembers too well what happened with the knights when he left Merlin alone before. Ex-knights, he thinks to himself satisfyingly, because that's what they'll be come tomorrow when he removes them from his guard. Ah! But he can't stay and he can't go! He's pacing again. Merlin is looking at him with an expression of concern and puzzlement.
"Won't you come to bed?" Merlin asks sweetly. Arthur feels his heart and dick twitch. He can't take his eyes off Merlin. This is dangerous. It's dangerous for Merlin. And Arthur hates himself for walking towards Merlin and pulling him into a hug. Arthur breathes in his scent and it's intoxicating. He's leaning over the bed, waist flush against it, holding Merlin tightly. Merlin breathes. He doesn't say anything. Arthur can't bring himself to let go, and he thinks that this is fine. It's not everything he wants, but it's also not taking advantage of Merlin in his vulnerable state. There is nothing wrong with a hug and this will keep Arthur's sanity intact. He's satisfied the need to touch Merlin and the need to keep him safe.
Arthur's breathing again, and the rapid intake of breath has slowed to a deep, satisfying pace. He could stand here holding Merlin forever.
Arthur doesn't want to lean back, because that would be putting himself in the dangerous zone of kissable territory. Kissing Merlin now would be wrong. But if Merlin kissed him…it wouldn't be forcing, right? He could lean back and tell Merlin to do what he wants to do. Maybe Merlin wants to kiss him too. NO. It wouldn't be right. Arthur wouldn't know if he had inadvertently initiated it. He has probably suggested Merlin kiss him with his body language all night. That might be why Merlin is letting Arthur hold him now.