Hi! This is a fanfic about Merlin being Uther's ward. His parents are dead and his character is slightly
AU. Though the story will be very AU, there will be some chapters that will remain, basically a chapter
based on an episode of Merlin, but will have changes. There will also be some chapters I just made up,
like this one.
Enjoy! :D This chapter has being rewritten by: Smiley Face Ace.
And she will also be rewritten the rest of the story from now on
Morgana was getting ready for the feast; Uther was celebrating his son's (Arthur Pendragon) 19th birthday.
Her maidservant, Guinevere, whom was also called Gwen, came strolling in with a long, elegant, crimson dress.
"Thank you Gwen" she acknowledged.
The maid nodded with a smile dancing on her lips. Morgana went behind the room's screen to get the dress on,
whilst Gwen found some jewelry to suit the beautiful, flowing dress.
Gwen had been Morgana maidservant since she was 14 years of age; her father was the blacksmith - who also
took orders from the court - and her brother, Elyan, was a knight of Camelot. Elyan, like the other knights,
was currently living in the castle, whilst Gwen was living with their father in the lower town.
Morgana found herself as King Uther's ward - her father had died tragically, whilst in a battle when she was 14
years old. She was now 20 years old - a couple of months older than Arthur. Her mother, Vivienne, died from a
disease, sometime before her father's own death. Uther had taken her in like his own daughter. However,
despite that fact, Morgana fought with him a lot - because in her opinion, he was too rough when it came to
magic.
Luckily, she was not the only one who thought that; Uther's other ward, Merlin, was more against the law of
magic than Morgana but she was more big-mouthed when it came to say anything to Uther than Merlin.
He's been Uther's ward since he was 6 years of age; he is now 18 years. Merlin has been sick since he was
8 years...
The young boy had started to become weak and tired often - and he normally slept the day away. Then he
started to throw up; he couldn't eat anything. After sometime, he started to throw up blood and become weaker
and weaker. After 3 months in bed, close to dying, Gaius, the court physician, had found a cure, so now he
(reluctantly) chokes down two bottles of the foul remedy every day. Unfortunately, the stupid effects weakens
his immune system, so he is often fragile and exhausted as well as the added effect that the poor boy suffers
from extremely frightening, haunting nightmares and hallucinations. Often, he can't go out, because if he does
he would get flimsy quicker.
The female ward (of the king) felt sorry for Merlin, the boy who has been sick almost all his life - it must be
hard that to be unable to enjoy your childhood as it flies on by, tempting you to join it.
She sighed and gracefully came out from behind the screen, now looking even more stunning than usual in her
revealing, red gown.
"You look so beautiful" Gwen smiled. So did Morgana:
"Thank you Gwen".
"Are you going with Arthur to the feast?" Gwen asked, a little hesitated.
Morgana chuckled.
"No, don't worry I am not going with your precious, little prince to the feast".
Gwen blushed, looking down, a little bit embarrassed.
She and Arthur had been together for almost 2 years and (of course) only Morgana and Merlin knew. It was
Merlin who found out first, he saw how Arthur had been so gentle, caring and nice to Gwen - and how they
sometimes had awkward moments when Uther, Morgana or himself was there. He put two and two together
and discovered they were together - and later told Arthur. He also told him he was happy for his friend and he
would keep it as a secret, which they both was happy about. It didn't take long before they all decided to tell
Morgana - and like Merlin - she promised not to tell anyone.
"I'm going with Merlin. Gaius have given him permission to go" Morgana explained, a grin dancing on her face.
Gwen also smiled - a big smile.
"I'm glad. Arthur will be really happy" Morgana nodded in agreement to Gwen's statement.
Arthur and Merlin were like brothers; they really cared about each another. They grew up together and since
the day they met, they had been friends. Since Merlin taken ill, Arthur had also taken a protective role towards
the ward, making sure no harm came to his friend.
Morgana sat on her chair, looking in the mirror as Gwen made and decorated her hair as if it were a Christmas
tree.
"Though I think there was a lot of begging from Merlin, Gaius isn't happy that he's going to the feast".
Gwen shook her head a little: "These last weeks have been hard on him...".
Morgana closed her eyes and nodded. It was true, for only a mere three weeks ago he had caught the flu -
and since his immune system was struggling, the flu was pretty bad, but luckily he had gotten better in the
nic of time.
"True...I think it's good for him, to come a little out".
Gwen nodded in agreement and then coughed a little.
"You okay?" the ward asked. In response, the maid nodded.
"Yes, just a little tickle that's all" she lied. However, Morgana had noticed and frowned.
"Why don't you sleep in a little longer tomorrow, so you can get some more rest?" Morgana suggested, helpfully
yet worridly.
Gwen was ready to assure her mistress she was okay but she could use a little extra sleep than normal.
"I would like that, thank you" she said with a smile.
There was a lot of food on the banquet table and everyone was there, waiting on Arthur, Morgana and hopefully
Merlin to show up. Arthur was the first to arrive, due to the fact that he wasn't going with anyone. If could
choose, it would be Gwen. He gave her a slight smile when he strode pass her.
She blushed and smiled back. Arthur looked around, but he couldn't see Morgana or Merlin. He didn't know if
Merlin was well enough to attend, but he had at least expected Morgana to be here; the prince walked over to
his father.
"Arthur! 19 years have you lived from today..." Arthur smiled at his father's happiness and enthusiasm.
"Thank you father...".
Uther smiled and then turned his head to Gwen.
"Where's Morgana?" he asked, not expecting Merlin either.
She nervously stepped forward.
"She is getting Merlin, sire. They're coming together" she answered with a bow.
That made Arthur's day, everyone was coming to the feast. He sat on his chair next to Uther and impatiently
waited.
_
10 minutes earlier...
Morgana was on her way to Merlin's chambers. She knew they were late, after all they were supposed to come
before Arthur - not after. They had agreed they would meet in Morgana's chamber because it was closer to the
throne room, but of course, he was late. It was so...Merlin-y, being late. It suited him.
He was always late to everything. Dinners, meetings and all the other important things. He was always the one
to show up last.
When she came to his chamber, she knocked on the door hard, clearly showing her anger.
No answer.
After 2 seconds, she became frustrated. That was so very... Morgana-y, being frustrated. It suited her.
"Merlin! We're going to be late!" she yelled.
When he still didn't answer, she charged inside. She couldn't see him.
"Merlin?".
Without warning, a hand shot up from behind the screen.
"I'll be right there".
She rolled her eyes.
"Before or after the feast?" she quizzed, jokingly.
"Ha Ha. Give me 2 seconds" he replied, sarcastically.
"1, 2...your time is up".
After 2 minutes, he came out, he was pale and looked shattered.
"Are you alright?" she asked, worried.
He smiled, though it wasn't his normal smile: "Yes of course ..".
She rolled her eyes again.
"You look like crap!" she exclaimed.
This time it was Merlin's turn to rolled eyes.
"Well thank you Morgana, every time I need someone to cheer me up I
I will come to you".
She gave him a sarcastic smile and then her face turned soft: "Go to bed, Arthur will understand".
He shook his head, just after the first word: "No, he is 19 years now so I want to be there and celebrate it -
no matter what".
Morgana opened her mouth, but Merlin cut her off.
"We better go, we're already late, how do I look?" he spun around with a wide, white, toothy grin on his pale
face.
Morgana looked at her friend, tilted her head to the side a little and examined him.
"The truth?". He nodded.
"You look like death warmed up".
He gave her a stern look.
"Thank you Morgana...we better go" Morgana just nodded.
They almost ran to the immense, throne-room door. When the door opened, all present looked at them,
which made them both blush. They saw Arthur talking with his father, the only ones who hadn't stopped.
"Great...we're late and that is all thanks to you" she whispered to Merlin.
"I'm sorry. Alright!?" he hissed.
She rolled her eyes and then smiled when she spotted Arthur, who had now stood up to greet them. She
walked over to him, embraced him in a hug and then broke apart.
"19 years and I will always be the oldest".
Arthur laughed - that was so... Morgana-y to make fun of him.
"Better being young, than looking old, Morgana" he replied smoothly with a smirk.
Then her smiled fainted, offended she walked over to her seat. Arthur was sure she would be mad at him all
night, which made him grin a little. Merlin came over to him.
"You look..." Arthur trailed off.
"Like crap?" Merlin finished his line. Arthur laughed.
"That was not the word I was looking for..."
Merlin smiled.
"That was what Morgana said and then, ever-so elegantly, finished it off saying 'I look like death' ". Arthur
chuckled.
"That sounds like her"
The ward nodded in agreement and then silence came between them.
"You didn't have to come, you know that".
Merlin rolled his eyes.
"Of course I had too! You're 19 years old and I want to be here to celebrate that".
Arthur's face softened: "Thank you, Merlin".
The ward grinned; he muttered a welcome and then went to his seat, beside Morgana, who didn't look pleased.
I don't look that old! She thought.
Merlin giggled at her expression.
When everyone had settled, Uther began his long speech. However after 3 hours of the feast, Merlin was
really exhausted. He has been tired and weak all morning and evening, but he wanted to celebrate Arthur's
birthday, so he had ignored it. He didn't really eat anything, he couldn't get anything down. The ward felt
uncomfortable. He could feel Morgana's eyes on him and he knew than in matter of seconds she would say
something.
"Go to bed Merlin, you have been here long enough" she ordered, softly.
Merlin turned to look at her:
"I'm-".
Morgana cut him off:
"Don't you dare say you are fine, when you clearly are not!" she hissed.
Merlin sighed:
"But it's Arthur evening...".
Morgana rolled her eyes; it was so very Merlin-y not to think about his health. The only people he would ever
think about was his friends, 'family' and the people of Camelot - he would do anything for those he cared for,
but when it came to him...sometimes she wanted to strangle him (okay that wasn't true, but he needed to take
more care of himself).
"And you have been here. Right now, he is just happy that you came but he won't be if you faint, then he will
blame himself and you know that".
She gave him a little, sorrowful smile and he returned it.
"Your right...".
He stood up and he turned himself to Uther and Arthur:
"I think I will retired now".
Arthur smiled as well.
"Goodnight Merlin, I'm glad you came". Uther nodded in agreement.
"Yes goodnight. Do you want Gaius to come up to you?".
Merlin shook his head.
"No thank you, sire, I just need a good night's sleep, goodnight" he bidded and walked back to his chamber.
_
When Merlin returned to his chambers, he could see that his servant, Alan, had cleaned the room. He also
found his night-clothes and a ready-made bed. Merlin smiled. He always made sure everything was ready when
he came back. It was his job but Alan was more than a servant to him - he was his friend.
Merlin yawned. Time to bed... he sadly realized. He went behind the screen and change to his nightwear shortly
followed by him going to bed. He picked up a book up and began to read. Since he was usually sick, he had
learned and liked to read. It wouldn't surprise him if he had read all the books in the library by now.
However, the book he was reading was a book on magic. Not with not spells, but about people with magic.
Merlin knew if Uther found out, he would earn a holiday in the dungeons, but he didn't care. He liked to read
about magic, it was interesting. Merlin had always thought that the law about magic was unfair. He knew that
not all people with magic could be evil. If they were, Camelot would have been gone a long time ago. He sighed
and closed the book and then hid it in his night table, under another book - its normal hiding place.
He yawned, he could still hear the music from the feast. How he longed to be there. The ward wished that he
could be there but he was too tired, he'd blew out the candle and then he lay down on the fluffy, comfortable bed.
His eyes drooped closed and fell to sleep. Unfortunately, it wasn't peaceful for long. He started to squirm and
moan.
He could see blood, lots of blood, he could hear screams and he could see fire, so much fire. The images thick
and fast. The last thing he saw was Arthur getting attacked by a hideous beast.
Merlin screamed awake, sweat falling from his pale brow.
"Sire! Are you alright?!".
Merlin looked up and saw his manservant staring at him, worried. The ward looked out the window and saw the
bright sun. Was it day? Already? It had felt like he only had closed his eyes a second ago.
"Sire?".
Merlin snapped out of his trance and turned his head to his servant.
"I'm fine, Alan...". The servant nodded slowly.
"Alright, do you want me to get Gaius?".
Merlin just shook his head, he didn't want Alan to wake up Gaius - and it was just a nightmare. It wasn't like he
wasn't used to it, though there was something different about this nightmare.
Alan nodded and then began to clean the room. The servant was used to his master's nightmares and if Merlin
wanted to talk, Alan would be glad to listen.
The ward was still sitting in his bed, he was thinking back on his nightmare. He could still recall the blood, the
screams and the fire, but it was like something was missing. Merlin frowned. H couldn't remember. He tried to
think back but he just couldn't remember.
"The patrol has found out there is a monster out in the forest, prince Arthur is going to check it out, actually.
I think that he is going soon" the servant said, trying to make a conversation.
That got Merlin's attention. Arthur...
There was something about the prince there that made him slightly scared for him. He knew it was something
about his nightmare but... Then he remembered Arthur getting attacked.
His eyes widened: No! He can't go!
Merlin jumped out of bed, still in his night-clothes and ran out. He could hear Alan calling for him but he didn't
care. He couldn't let Arthur go - he couldn't let his friend get hurt. He ran pass confused servants, other nobles
and many guards - but he didn't care.
When he came out and into the Courtyard he could he see Arthur talking with the knights.
"Arthur!" he yelled.
The prince turned around to see Merlin come running down the stairs towards him. The ward was still in his
night-clothes and there was sweat running down his forehead.
"Merlin?" he said with a frown.
When the ward reached him, he looked scared- no. He looked terrified- no. Merlin looked petrified. At first,
Arthur thought something really bad had happened. Was his father okay? Morgana?
"You can't go!" he exclaimed.
Arthur frowned even more: this was about him? He was fine, so he couldn't understand why Merlin would be
worried about himself. Then he thought that someone had told Merlin that he was going to track the monster
down. Merlin was always worried about others, so it was properly that but still there was something more than
just that.
"What are you talking about?" he asked.
Merlin didn't answer; he looked like he wanted to explain something but couldn't get the words out. His mouth
constantly kept opening and closing, trying to form words.
Then Arthur could see Alan come to them. Relief flooded through his body - he truly hoped the servant could
explain what Merlin was afraid of. The servant rushed over to them.
"I'm so sorry sire! He suddenly ran...he had a nightmare, I will take him to Gaius" the servant apologized.
So it was a nightmare... It clicked in Arthur's mind. It didn't really surprise the prince. The only thing there that
did surprise him was how scared Merlin was. Whatever the nightmare was about, it had scared the young ward.
When the servant tried to take Merlin away the ward forced his arm away from Alan's grip.
"No! I don't need Gaius!" he exclaimed with a glare, snapping his neck around and speaking harshly,
eyes meeting his servant's .
The ward turned back to the prince.
"You can't go!".
Arthur took a hold of Merlin's writs, trying in vain to calm him down:
"I will be okay, go back to bed" he assured, softly and slowly.
Merlin shook his head, whilst - unknown to him - two knights popped up from the top of the stairs and forced
him inside, clearly against his will to all staring eyes. Arthur frowned when he saw his friend get dragged up the
stairs.
He felt someone's eyes on him. Craining his neck, he saw Morgana. A very worried Morgana, peering out of
her window. He gave her a small, sad smile and then rode out in the forest with ten knights.
_
When Morgana woke up, she heard someone yelling Arthur's name. She frowned and then stood up from her
bed to look out the window. She opened it; she could hear and see Merlin trying- no begging Arthur to stay
home, whilst the prince was trying to calm him down but with no success.
Alan came into view, he had told the prince that Merlin had a nightmare. When Merlin was dragged away by
two knights, Arthur gazed up at her. She gave him a worried look; he gave her a sad smile in return and then
rode out for the forest.
Morgana slipped some clothes on. She knew that Gaius must have problems with Merlin right now, so she
wanted to go and talk to her friend. She knew that Gwen would come by later, since she had a cough and
Morgana had ordered her friend to stay at home for at least a while.
She went to Merlin's chamber; she wasn't even inside when she could hear Merlin complaining and yelling
inside. She sighed and knocked on the door.
Merlin was going crazy since no-one was listening to him. He had dreamed that Arthur was being attacked and
then when he woke up in cold sweat; Arthur was going out in the forest to kill a beast. It can't be a coincidence!
"I don't need a remedy Gaius! You have to believe me, Arthur is in danger!" Merlin exclaimed.
He had been forced into bed, even though he was fine.
The physician sighed; he was trying to get the ward to drink the remedy, so he could get some sleep but
the ward kept refusing.
He took a deep breath: "It will help you sle-".
"I don't need sleep!" Merlin cut him off.
Without warning, there was a knock on the door. Morgana entered.
"Thank god Morgana! You will believe me!".
She placed a hand on Gaius's shoulder: "Let me talk with him".
He nodded - defeated - and went out.
She sat on the bed's side, whilst Merlin was looking at his trembling hands.
"You believe me right?" he whispered to her. He needed someone, anyone, to believe him.
"Tell me everything..." she replied, softly.
She knew that he needed to talk, so the best to do was to listen. Merlin took a deep breath:
"I had a dream... I saw Arthur getting attacked - by a monster! It can't be a coincidence that I saw what I saw
and that he would track down a beast today - right?".
Morgana frowned; she admitted it was true but no one can dream the future, she gave him a sad smile and took
her hand on his.
"Don't worry...I am sure that he will be fine".
Merlin groaned:
"You don't believe me either!".
She shook her head.
"It's not that I don't believe you, I just hope it's not true" she half lied - Merlin had to agree with that.
Morgana opened her mouth but he cut her off: "I won't sleep, not before Arthur is back safe" he replied,
knowing what she was about to say and trying to make her see his point.
She was about to protest but by the look at his face, she knew she couldn't change his mind. Though, she also
knew he couldn't stay awake for long - he looked like he was going to faint any second.
"Okay... ". He gave her a grateful smile.
She decided to stay with him - he looked so scared.
It was hours after that she went out. Just as she thought he had fell asleep...
Morgana closed the door to his chambers. She decided that she would find Gwen. She had asked Alan to tell her
that she was staying with Merlin a little and that she would soon come back. Unfortunately, she had stayed
longer with him than she thought she would.
She had just turned around the corner when she saw Arthur. He had clearly not seen her and his arm was in a
sling.
"Merlin is going to kill you when he finds out that you are hurt".
Arthur looked at her.
"Well...it wasn't like I wanted to get hurt" he pointed out.
"I've just come from his chambers, he's finally sleeping...what happened?".
The prince sighed:
"We had surrounded the beast... and we did kill it! ... But I got hurt in the process, which farther wasn't that
pleased about".
She rolled her eyes: "Screw him! He should be a little worried about you, just look at Merlin; he was terrified
that you would get hurt. Uther is your father, he should be petrified too". Arthur gave her a short laugh.
"Watch out...if he hears you" he warned.
"I don't care!" she snapped.
"That doesn't surprise me, though he has every right to be angry".
"Why?" she demanded.
"Because I am the prince! I had every knight with me - and every knight didn't have one scar!" he snapped.
"So? He could at last see if you were alright".
"I know..." he sighed; he really didn't want this conversation with her.
They were silent for some time.
"Thank you..." Arthur eventually... thanked... weirdly.
She frowned.
"For what?".
"For staying with Merlin, I could see that the nightmare had scared him".
She nodded in agreement: "It had...and you're welcome but you better see him tomorrow".
"I will...".
"I better go. I need to find Gwen, I've stayed with Merlin all day".
He nodded.
"See you..." he said and then watched the ward walk away.
_
When Merlin woke up, he was all alone. He could see that it was still early, so Alan would be there in a few
hours. His servant usually went to the Tavern in the morning, to regain his strength from his walk right from the
house at the very edge of the city, however he never had too much to drink. The ward yawned, flung of the
covers of his bed and got up. I can't sleep anymore anyway...
Merlin dressed in some fresh, matching clothes; went over to open the window and then stood there to gaze out.
The day was warm, a real summer day. He had experienced nightmares all night, he was exhausted, but he
knew he couldn't sleep any longer. He hated it when he couldn't remember the nightmares.
Merlin hoped that Arthur was all right; he had not heard anything about it yet so he should be. The ward sighed.
It was too early to check in on him. He didn't want wake him up if he was sleeping.
There was a knock at the door.
Merlin frowned. It can't be Alan...it's too early
"Enter".
Merlin gave a sigh of relief when Arthur stepped in but it slowly faded into a frown when he saw his arm.
"Are you okay?" he asked, worried.
"I'm fine, nothin' I can't handle... You should be sleeping" he said with a smirk.
"So should you..." Merlin pointed out.
The prince laughed and went to sit on a chair.
"You're right... I couldn't sleep anymore"
Merlin sat beside him: "Me either... I'm sorry".
"What are you apologizing over?".
"About yesterday...I had a nightmare and-".
"It's okay. You have nothing to be sorry for" Arthur cut in.
He gave his friend a soft grin, whilst Merlin muttered a thank you.
"So what did father say about the arm?" Merlin knew how the king could be.
"He didn't say anything but I could see that he was disappointed".
Merlin rolled his eyes.
"Sometimes I wonder if he does have a heart..." he said cold.
Arthur laughed hard.
The ward frowned; he couldn't see anything funny about that.
"What?" he exclaimed.
"It's nothing, it's just you and Morgana are very similar!" Arthur chuckled out in between gasps for precious air;
Merlin gave him a confused look.
The prince just shook his head - knowing the ward would never understand.
"Forget it".
The ward nodded slowly.
"So...do you want to talk about your nightmare?" Arthur asked.
Merlin sighed; he knew it would come sooner or later - though he was used too talking about his nightmare
with Arthur.
"It's complicated...I don't remember much".
Arthur nodded.
"Only that I was...?" he asked.
Arthur knew it was something about him - Merlin nodded slowly.
"When Alan told me that you were going to fight the beast, I thought it would end like my dream...you got
attacked and I thought-"
"Don't worry you won't get free of me that easily"
They both shared a laugh.
Arthur stayed with Merlin for a while, until Alan came up with breakfast. The prince then went back to his
chambers to collect and eat his own.
I know, nothing happened much in his chapter but it will come. Don't worry! ;)
I hope you liked the chapter though!