Disclaimer: I do not own Merlin.
This is in a separate universe from A Knightly Surprise. Don't worry, I will continue to write in that universe. I just couldn't get this out of my head.
I'm leaving this as a one-shot for now, mostly because I don't know where to go from here and feel like it's going to become a very dark fic. I need most of my fics to be somewhat happy.
Arthur folded his hands on the table as he continued to listen to his father speak about a dispute between several Lords that had occurred in the council meeting that morning. It was terribly boring and petty, of course, but he was making a conscious effort to take it in. He would have to learn how to handle his subjects once he became king- and Merlin would probably want to hear all about it later. Where was his manservant anyway?
Prince Arthur and Morgana were formally dining with King Uther that evening. It wasn't an unusual occurrence, but the king had been quite busy as of late, so the three hadn't had dinner together in a while. Even close to a year after the dragon attack, he was still overseeing the last of the city's repairs. Merlin was nowhere to be seen, so Gwen and a few other servants were waiting on them.
"Why must they bicker so?" Morgana complained, eliciting a smile from the king.
"Sometimes I wonder whether they're bored," Arthur began just as a door at the far side of the hall eased open, and Merlin rushed in. He immediately hurried over to a table set up against a wall to reorganize the trays he was carrying. Arthur's father and Morgana seemed barely to have noticed, but Arthur decided that he wouldn't have that. "Where have you been Merlin?" he asked loudly.
Though the servant's back was turned, Arthur was gratified to see him cringe. "Yes, boy, do enlighten us," Uther asked. He seemed amused.
"I lost track of the time, Sire," Merlin said in his most contrite voice. Arthur rolled his eyes as Merlin turned around. One of the knights had dared the servant to grow a beard- or maybe it was Gwen, Arthur didn't know- so, of course, Merlin had decided to do so. The prince still hadn't gotten used to the sight. "I will endeavor not let it happen again."
Arthur finally glanced back at his father when no response was forthcoming. The expression of horror and shock on his face seemed to have come from nowhere. "Father?" Arthur questioned. Merlin and Morgana seemed confused as well.
Suddenly, Uther was up, across the room, and holding Merlin by the throat. "Why are you here?" the king growled. "What is so important that you would masquerade as a servant for so long?"
"Father!" Arthur exclaimed. Uther and Merlin both ignored him. Gwen and the other servants looked as if they wanted to intervene but didn't dare.
"I am a servant, Sire. You awarded me the position for saving your son's life," Merlin stammered.
"We both know you're more than that. Why would you save him?" the king questioned.
"Stop!" Arthur commanded. He was again ignored. Morgana didn't seem sure of how to react.
"I don't know what," Merlin began to protest.
"I couldn't see it before, boy, but that beard really changes things." The king paused, and Merlin seemed extremely confused. "You look like your father," he hissed.
Merlin paled at that statement. Arthur couldn't remember ever seeing that much terror in his friend's eyes. "I never knew my father," Merlin responded after a moment. Arthur was shocked that he had pulled himself together so quickly.
"It's true, Father," Arthur cut in. "Unless both he and his mother have lied on several occasions."
"But you know who he was," Uther snarled, ignoring Arthur once again. "That traitor." Merlin glared.
"Father, please. Let my servant go. I don't wish to see him harmed," Arthur pleaded. "He hasn't done anything wrong."
Something had changed in Merlin's expression. He now looked angry, and almost powerful. "That's what he does, Arthur. The king is so blinded that he'll spend years hunting down his close friends. Friends who've been nothing but loyal, and who haven't done anything wrong."
"I am a just king," Uther snapped.
"Then tell me what my father did that was considered evil. He couldn't change who he was. What will you do, Uther? Will you tear me away from Arthur just as you drove my father from you? Is history really going to repeat?"
Arthur's mind was spinning. He seemed to be missing a large part of the conversation. How was it that his father knew Merlin's father that well? And why had Merlin lied about not knowing his father? What was going on? Everyone else in the room was watching with rapt attention as well.
"If that's what it takes to drive evil from this world, yes," the king responded.
Arthur's thoughts caught up with the situation. "Father, I am responsible for my manservant. Please don't harm him." The prince was almost to the point of physically intervening. Merlin was going to have bruises on his neck later.
"Fine, Uther. Drive even more hatred and fear into the hearts of your subjects. Continue your tyrannical rein. Just think about this while you're deciding what to do. My father is dead, and you know what that means. Kilgarrah isn't dead, and, while he may have agreed not to destroy Camelot just to get to you, he'll be very angry if I die. He just might come back." It was the king's turn to pale, and he actually let go of Merlin. Arthur gave up on trying to understand. "Don't you dare condemn me for the way I was born." Merlin almost growled the last statement. Arthur didn't even know his servant could sound like that.
"I will not let you destroy my kingdom!" Uther shouted as he drew his sword.
Merlin took a deep breath. "You've already done that," he explained in a steady voice. "I dislike destruction. Ask anyone. I don't even kill spiders most of the time. I'm just trying to stop Camelot from crumbling further. It's going to be up to your son to repair it."
"Camelot is thriving!"
"Really? How many healers are left?" Merlin shook his head sadly. "Gaius is one of the few! You've killed the rest of them over the years. How many of your knights are more loyal than afraid? Very few. You're a tyrant! How many of your subjects love you? I have yet to meet one that does."
Arthur's jaw dropped at what was coming out of his servant's mouth. "Merlin, shut up and apologize. You want to save your life, not end it," the prince snapped.
Merlin sighed and turned to address Uther again. "I will gladly hold your crumbling kingdom together, and I'll keep Kilgarrah at bay. However, I do this for your son, and I tolerate you only because he does. Think long and hard about any actions that you might take."
Merlin turned and strode out of the room, head held high.
"Father?" Arthur asked finally.
Uther was still standing with his sword drawn, but he slowly sheathed it. "What have I done?"
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