A/N: I know that fanfiction is about taking the show and adding an extension, but I've been dying to try this out. This takes place in an AU that doesn't exist, but should resemble greatly the world that we live in today. The only things that remain are social hierarchy and a modern monarchy.
Please give it a chance, who knows, maybe you'll like it? I hope you enjoy, let me know what you think. I'll continue this if some of you find it interesting.
Chapter 1
The grand city came alive on the Day of Commemoration. A day to mourn those who had died and sacrificed their lives for the posterity of the great nation of Albion, and to celebrate the its unparalleled status as the world's powerhouse.
As the capital of Albion, and home to the royal family and its court, it was only natural for those in Camelot to be restless. The King would be addressing his people, making a speech that would be aired live all around the country.
The Castle, kept intact from centuries ago and renovated to meet the needs of a modern monarchy, stood at the heart of the commotion. The servants and palace workers scrambling to prepare everything for the celebratory ball that night. The floors were being polished, the chandeliers shined, the paintings straightened. No one wanted to be held responsible for anything besides perfection.
Though His Majesty was a gracious king, his infamous temper and quick judgment was to be feared. Everything had to run smoothly, a national holiday was held in honor of the sovereign in power, a sign of respect. Even the slightest of slip ups would result in another spot in front of the army's firing line.
One of these people who was at wits end trying to prepare for the magnificent night ahead, was the king's second wife, Catrina of Tregor. She was in no mood to deal with a fuming potentate that night, it was her first year as queen, and she needed to make a good impression on the population. Her popularity amongst the population was poorer than one could imagine. An entire country wouldn't accept a second queen wholeheartedly without scrutiny.
She stood in front of what she knew the greatest obstacle standing in the way of her flawless event. She nodded to the guard, dressed in a pressed black and white suit, and he bowed back, opening the door to his side. Catrina walked in unannounced, knowing very well she wouldn't have been welcomed if she had asked.
A man, dressed in a black and red military uniform, his broad shoulders adorned with countless flourishes and medals, stood with his back to her. He was adjusting a gold button on his collar, looking at his reflection in the tall mirror in front of him. Upon sight of the woman behind him, he said nothing.
Instead, he moved wordlessly to the side of the room, a full scaled, self served bar waiting for him. He pensively examined the numerous bottles that sat on the table, paying no attention to his guest. After deciding on a drink, he poured the liquid carelessly into a single crystal glass.
He turned to face her again, raising his glass to toast her mockingly, and then downing it in one sip. Light blue eyes glaring at her as he finished, he sat down on one of the four leather seats in the middle of the room. The sun from the high ceilinged windows poured down, accenting his slightly pale skin and his light blonde hair, only intensifying the moment.
Safe to say that she wasn't thrilled with his behavior, but there was little she could do to stop him.
"What can I do for you, mother," the word wasn't filled with love or adoration, but with poison. He spat the usually cherished term venomously. "Come to check up on me?"
The prince had always been a source of trouble, whatever circumstances were being upheld. Infamous for his escapades, much to his father's dismay.
He tilted his chin up, dismissing the guard by the far wall.
She took a breath, as if to prepare herself for the coming battle, "I wanted to make sure that everything was going according to schedule, I hope that there were no issues amongst the plans that your father and I have given," She stepped forward so that she was only a few feet away. "I do hope that there will be no, issues, tonight"
"As do I," he agreed, his voice low, he looked at her, "You need not worry about my actions, my father has already spoken to me of such matters," he assured.
He was telling the truth, he was already warned, on numerous occasions, not to mess with the sacred event.
"I've also come to ask about your guest tonight," she paused, aware of the sensitivity of the topic, but broached carefully, "I wish to know who you will be accompanying to the dinner, it's important that the charts and announcements into court are—"
He put a hand up, cutting her off immediately.
"Like I've told you, my father has already discussed these things with me,"
"Oh, I see," she looked at him absentmindedly, a bit taken aback by just how much her visit wasn't needed.
Silence fell over the two, and was soon joined by a burdensome atmosphere.
"Arthur, it's been over ten months after the marriage between your father and me,"
He stopped himself from rolling his eyes, he had this conversations on several other occasions earlier.
"And if there has been anything that I've done wrong, please tell me," she looked for a reaction, but his eyes were empty, "I want to mend—"
As she was about to finish her thought, another visitor stumbled into the room.
The naïve look about him as the boy stood up, his glances at the two people in front of him. It was a rare sight to see the queen and her step son together in a room, not civilly at least. Quickly assessing the situation in front of him, he began to turn on his heel, and return again at a more appropriate time, but a voice stopped him.
"It's fine Merlin, stay. Lady Catrina was just leaving,"
Arthur didn't bother to look at the woman as she shot him a hurt look. She said nothing however, and made her way out of the door.
Torn between his need to respect the queen, and his blind loyalty to his friend, Merlin stood undecided. As Catrina was standing in the doorway to leave, Merlin stopped her.
"My Queen," he bowed his head, taking her hand, and placing a obligatory kiss atop of it.
The woman smiled, almost beaming.
At least one of the king's children had manners.
And with that, she was on her way. The door slammed shut.
Seeing that it was just the two of them, Arthur began to relax. The younger boy walked forward, but not before tripping on the rug below his feet, and falling onto the hard ground with a crash.
Arthur groaned, "How we're related, I'll never understand," he pinched the bridge of his nose, hoping to ease the threatening headache he felt.
The dark haired boy picked himself off of the floor, brushing off the nonexistent off of his suit.
"It's simple really. Some years ago, before either of us was born, my mother spent a night with the king and—"
"Not the time for your insolent jokes," The prince glared at his half brother, only to receive a beaming smile in return.
They had known each other for their entire lives, but it wasn't until the two of them were around fifteen when they discovered the blood relation between them. It was no secret that the king had his share of affairs during his marriage to Arthur's mother. And when Merlin was born, only months after Arthur, there was speculation of what connection lied with royalty. Merlin's mother was of noble blood, and the privileges of aristocracy bestowed him with the joy of befriending the prince. Though not an illegitimate son, without a claim to the throne, Arthur still treated the boy like a brother he had always wanted.
Merlin looked forlorn over at the closed door, "You should treat her better you know, she only means well,"
"And that's why she's usurped my mother's place as queen? The entire country knows that she married my father for power and title,"
The union between Igraine de Bois and Uther Pendragon was a loveless one, there was infinite truth in the rumors surrounding their poor marriage. After Arthur's mother died in a car accident when he was eight, the king had flaunted his conquests around like nothing. The prince did not mind so, he had no quarrel with Catrina until she decided to sit in his mother's spot beside his father's throne.
"What is it that you've come to me?" Arthur asked, putting his glass down onto the coffee table in front of him. It was better to change the topic before he got too wound up.
"It's about the dinner tonight, the King has sent us a list of the girls we can court without issue," Merlin pulled a slip of paper. Arthur raised an eyebrow at the folded paper, "Uther's advisors wouldn't send it to me as a file, scared that the media would dig it up. Can't have the people know who we're accompanying before we do,"
Arthur decided to help himself to another glass of hard liquor as he propped himself off of the chair, and walked to the bar. "Want anything?"
Merlin didn't look at him, busy reading the names off of the list.
"I get first choice, it's only fair since I'm older,"
The elder brother couldn't see it, but Merlin's eyes were nearly falling out of his head. "You won't believe this," he breathed. Arthur turned around, alarmed at his reaction.
"What is it"
"Guess who's back in town?"
End Chapter 1
A/N: This will be Arwen, but eventually, not immediately. What did you guys think? I just don't see Merlin as Arthur's servant, especially because they are such good friends. So yes, here they are half brothers. Gwen and Morgana shall appear shortly, but only if you want me to continue. Please review! This is an experiment, so please give me your opinions!