Don't Be Afraid

Merlin

A/N: This is inspired by a video I found on YouTube called "Don't be afraid…to join the Dark!Merthur. The video creator's description said this: "In this universe, Merlin & Arthur are bad, bad guys :D Really bad!Morgana (who dreams the beginning) be good like Nimue & Sofia (who hypnotized Arthur for kill him in the lake for he stop crimes).Uther isn't good, isn't bad. Like Gaius."It inspired me to write a fic based on that. Hopefully everyone likes it, and the creator "Strangelf" as well. (If you haven't seen the video yet, go on YouTube and look it up…seriously worth it.)

This will not really follow cannon much at all, there will be characters and adventures taken from cannon but this will be very different. Merlin won't start out completely dark, just slightly, but he grows darker the longer he knows Arthur who is very dark. This is Merthur, thus male/male sexy times will be happening…don't like, don't read.

Chapter 1 – Merlin's Arrival

Merlin made his way into the city of Camelot, a beautiful and regal castle looming over the entire place. As he made his way through he heard the blare of horns and followed the crowds to find out what was happening…maybe something exciting. He was wrong…it wasn't exciting. What he witnessed made him angry. King Uther had a young man beheaded for using magic, and his mother vowed her revenge upon him. Merlin rolled his eyes at her dramatic exit but he had to give her points for it as well.

Merlin made his way to the Physician's chambers to find the man his mother had sent him to meet, Gaius the Court Physician. He knocked but received no answer so he opened the door and found the man standing up on an old rickety ladder, and cleared his throat when the man still failed to notice him. The man turned and fell so Merlin acted without thought and slowed time, moving the bed to catch the older man.

"What did you just do?"

"I saved your life I believe."

"You used magic."

"Yes…and?"

"You can't do that here in Camelot…it is forbidden and you will be executed for it."

"Yeah…I figured that out already with the beheading I saw outside…not a great first impression really."

"Where did you study? Who taught you?"

"No one taught me…I haven't studied magic."

"Then how did you learn it?"

"I was born with it."

"Who are you anyway?"

"Oh…I have a letter for you."

He hands the man the letter from his mother and the man huffs softly.

"I don't have my glasses with me."

"I'm Merlin."

"Hunith's boy? You weren't supposed to arrive until Wednesday."

"It…is…Wednesday."

"Ah…well then…you can put your things in the back room there."

"Thank you…you won't say anything about my magic will you Gaius?"

"No…but I should say thank you."

Merlin dropped his pack on the small cot in the room and sat down with a sigh. So far he wasn't overly impressed with Camelot. Sure the place was pretty…but beheading people for having magic? The King called them the dangerous ones…but he was far more deadly than any magic user. When he left the little room the next morning Gaius put a bowl of watery porridge in front of him and he gave the slop a disgusted look. Gaius knocked a bucket of water off the table and Merlin froze it on instinct, setting it back on the table and returning the water inside.

"Amazing…how did you do that? Did you incant a spell in your mind?"

"I don't know any spells…I told you I was born like this."

"Impossible. Magic must be taught."

"Obviously not in all cases."

"Hmm…well…until I can find you some paid work you can help me out around here. I need these vials delivered."

Gaius explained who they went to and handed Merlin a sandwich before sending him on his way. Merlin grumbled a bit about having to be an errand boy but he kind of liked Gaius so he didn't mind too much. Once the deliveries were made, and the sandwich eaten, he made his way to the courtyard where he found a group of knights picking on a servant. He growled softly and stepped between the men and the poor boy they'd been picking on.

"I think that's more than enough abuse don't you?"

"Who exactly do you think you are to tell me what I can and cannot do?"

"My name is Merlin."

"Well…Merlin…get out of my way before you get yourself into trouble."

"Does the knight's code not state that a knight must have honor? How is it honorable to throw daggers at a servant who has done nothing to warrant such abuse?"

Merlin noticed the dark look flickering in the blonde man's bright blue eyes as he practically stalked towards Merlin, but he stood his ground and refused to show fear. The blonde stopped in front of Merlin and looked him over, noticing his lack of fear and seeming to be slightly impressed.

"You are certainly not like anyone else I've ever met before."

"I'll take that as a compliment then."

"Do you have any fear at all?"

"Maybe…do you?"

"Only of death."

"A reasonable fear then…I also fear death…but I fear obscurity more."

"Meaning?"

"Meaning I'm afraid to be forgotten…unknown…"

"Ah…I see."

The blonde studied him for a long while before speaking again, apparently seeing something he approved of in the other male.

"Come with me…I'd like to speak with you further."

"Who do you think you are? The King?"

"No…I'm his son, Arthur."

"Oh…well then…umm…I…er…"

"Oh, come on then…follow me."

Merlin shrugged and followed the Prince known as Arthur, his curiosity overwhelming his common sense as it often did. He failed to notice Gaius watching them leave with a concerned look on his face. Arthur led him to a small room that looked as if it hadn't seen use in many years. The blonde motioned for him to take a seat so he did, coughing as dust flew up when he did so. Arthur snorted a bit before speaking.

"So…what is it you're hiding form everyone?"

"I'm sorry?"

"You're hiding something…and I want to know what it is."

"What makes you think I'm hiding anything?"

Arthur gave him a look that allowed the darkness behind his eyes to come out in full force, making Merlin swallow hard. His nerves were giving him away and he knew it, but he couldn't help it.

"The fact that you're fidgeting is one clue…but I could see it in your face…and the way you hold yourself apart from everyone. You're hiding something big and you will tell me what it is."

"I can't…"

Arthur just stared at him with that dark look and Merlin squirmed horribly. When the blonde male lowered his voice to where he was almost purring Merlin felt the room grow hot and he actually whimpered softly, making Arthur's lips curl into a twisted smirk.

"Tell me Merlin…come on now…tell me what I want to know…tell me Merlin…"

Arthur was leaning over Merlin, arms on either side of the chair as he caged the smaller male in. He was surrounded by the heat and scent of the Prince and that velvety tone was making it hard to remember why he shouldn't answer the question being asked of him.

"I…I can't…please…"

Merlin's voice had dropped to the barest of whispers as he tried to fight the pull Arthur seemed to have over him, but Arthur wasn't having any resistance.

"Merlin…tell me now…I promise I won't hurt you…just tell me…"

"I…I have…Iwasbornwithmagic."

He blurted it out in a jumble of words and Arthur blinked a couple of times as he sorted through what was said.

"Born with magic huh? I didn't know that was possible."

"Apparently neither did anyone else…"

"So…how powerful are you then?"

"I don't know…I've never met anyone else with magic to compare it to."

"Well…what can you do with it?"

"I can move things with a single thought…I could do that before I could even talk."

"Interesting…can you learn more?"

"I imagine so…why?"

"I want you to work for me…and only me. You will be my personal sorcerer…secretly of course…can't have my father finding out and killing you."

"That would be…unpleasant…"

"Just a bit. So…do you agree to be mine?"

"Just to keep you safe right?"

"Yes…safe…and happy. You want to make me happy right Merlin?"

"I…I don't know…maybe?"

Arthur gave him a softer look than he'd used before and huffed out a little laugh before ruffling the younger male's hair.

"It won't be that hard Merlin…just do as I ask…that simple."

"I…guess I can do that."

"Excellent. You can spend the rest of today following me around and then tomorrow we'll see what else I can find for you to do."

"Umm…alright."

Arthur just smirked before leaving the room, Merlin following hesitantly at first but relaxing after a few minutes. Merlin spent the rest of the afternoon following Arthur as he trained with his knights. When it started getting dark Arthur let him go back to his room with the promise of meeting him at his room first thing in the morning. When Merlin walked in Gaius sat him down and gave him a hard look.

"Did he hurt you Merlin?"

"What? Who?"

"Prince Arthur…did he hurt you?"

"No…why would he do that?"

"He…I've known him since he was born Merlin…but he's not a good man. He's dark, dangerous."

"I know…but he didn't try to hurt me…he wants me to keep him safe…that's all."

"That is a very bad idea Merlin."

"Do I have a choice Gaius?"

"Sadly…I don't think you do."

As Merlin settled into bed he heard a deep voice calling his name so, with his curiosity peaked, he got out of bed and followed it down beneath the castle. He distracted the dungeon guards easily by using magic to make their dice run away from them, snickering a bit at how ridiculously easy it was. Once he made it past them he entered a massive cavern under the castle and stared in awe as a Dragon landed in front of him.

"Why were you calling me? What do you want?"

"You have such a great destiny for such a small being."

"I'm not that small…wait…what destiny?"

"You are destined to be the protector, and confidant of the Once and Future King Arthur."

"Right…why me?"

"You were born with magic for one purpose…to protect Arthur and help him unite the lands of Albion and bring magic back to the land."

"How do I do that when using magic can get me killed here?"

As you protect Arthur…so will he protect you. You are two halves of the same whole. You need him as much as he needs you young Warlock."

"I'll just take your word for it then."

The dragon watched as Merlin left the cavern, satisfied that the warlock had heeded his words and would, for now, do what needed to be done. Merlin went to bed that night and dreamt of Arthur…his dark voice and that look in his eyes as he loomed over him. He woke the next morning tangled in his sheets and drenched with sweat as Gaius looked in and sighed softly.

"Time to get up Merlin…you don't want to be late."

"I'm up…I'm up."

Merlin managed to get dressed and run up to Arthur's rooms to arrive just as the sun was rising. He knocked softly on the door but there was no answer so he let himself in to find Arthur fast asleep. He looked peaceful and angelic in his sleep and Merlin was reluctant to wake him up, but he knew he had to. He tried to gently shake him awake and was startled when Arthur grabbed him and yanked him onto the bed before rolling on top of him and placing a dagger to his throat. Merlin froze and tilted his head back, baring his throat to show that he wasn't a threat, and Arthur seemed to relax a bit even though he remained where he was…though the dagger was thankfully set aside.

"What were you trying to do Merlin?"

"Wake you up…its morning…"

"Be more careful next time. I could easily have killed you. Why did you not use your magic to defend yourself?"

"I don't know…I just froze I guess."

"We'll have to work on that then…"

Arthur remained leaning over Merlin; both of them breathing heavily, and Merlin licked his lips nervously. Arthur's eyes were drawn to the movement and he gently held Merlin's chin in his fingers.

"Arthur…?"

"Hush Merlin…I'm not going to hurt you."

Arthur leaned down and captured Merlin's lips in a deep, dominating kiss that left the younger male breathless and flushed in the face. Arthur sat back a bit and took in the image that Merlin made beneath him and let a dark little chuckle escape his throat.

"I think I like you like this Merlin…you look so pretty flushed underneath me like that."

"I…um…Arthur…I…"

"Hush Merlin…"

Merlin went silent almost immediately and Arthur made a little purring sound that earned a soft whine from the dark haired male. Arthur's smirk turned a bit wicked before he moved off of Merlin and called out to the hall for a servant.

"Sire?"

Bring me my breakfast…I want a double portion this morning."

"Yes Sire."

The servant ran off to do as he was told as Merlin finally managed to get his brain back into gear enough to sit up again. He looked at Arthur with a sort-of dazed look that made the blonde's eyes darken.

"Don't look at me like that Merlin or I'll have you right here and now."

"You…wait…what?"

"Oh Merlin…you're an innocent little thing aren't you?"

"I…um…"

"Shh…I'm not going to hurt you. I already told you that. Come on…breakfast should be here shortly."

"You're going to let me eat with you? Is that normal?"

"No…but I could care less…now sit."

Merlin sat across from Arthur as the servant returned with a large tray laden with smoked meats and sausages, as well as eggs and some fruit. Arthur waved the servant away and pushed some of the sausages over to Merlin.

"Eat."

"Yes Sire."

"How do you manage to sound both respectful and sarcastic at the same time?"

"It's a gift?"

Arthur's snort was filled with disbelief but he was also clearly amused. He watched Merlin for a while, something about the smaller dark-haired male just drew him in.

"My father is having a feast to celebrate his ban on magic."

"Right…and that woman…Lady Helen, is supposed to sing right?"

"Yes. I want you to be there in case I need you for something."

"I can do that. I've never been to a feast before."

"Don't get too excited…you'll be working after all."

"Right…got it."

"I'm sure Gaius will be needing you so I'll let you help him today as I will be stuck with my father all day. Go on before I change my mind and drag you into my bed."

Merlin swallowed hard and darted out the door like a rabbit being chased by a wolf…not a bad analogy in Arthur's opinion, though he wasn't sure Merlin realized he was being hunted yet. Merlin returned to Gaius who took in his ruffled appearance with a mighty frown on his face.

"Dare I ask what happened?"

"I woke him up…probably should have just poked him with a stick…"

"Did he hurt you?"

"Why do you keep asking that? No, he didn't hurt me…he just…pulled me under him and held a dagger to my throat…I surprised him. I guess you shouldn't wake someone who's trained to kill by poking them…"

"Probably not…no. You're sure you're alright?"

"I'm fine Gaius. He's letting me help you today until tonight's feast."

"Wonderful…then you can take this preparation to Lady Helen for her voice."

"Yes, Master Gaius…right away Master Gaius."

"Oh get on with you…cheeky little smartass."

Merlin just gave him a cheeky smirk before racing out the door as Gaius threw a pillow at him. He was still laughing when he almost literally ran into Arthur and the King.

"My Lord, Sire."

Uther just raised an eyebrow at the grinning male while Arthur cracked a smirk at his appearance.

"Merlin…what are you up to?"

"Gaius has me delivering a preparation to Lady Helen…for her voice."

"Best get to it then…wouldn't want you to be late for anything important."

"Right…of course, Sire. My Lord."

Merlin gave a short bow before running off again. Uther gave his son an odd look, noticing the dark look on his face.

"Interesting boy that one…"

"Hmm? Oh yes…very interesting."

Merlin made it to Lady Helen's room without further incident and knocked softly. After no one answered he entered and placed the vial on the vanity before noticing a spell book and a strange little doll. He looked at the book until he heard footsteps outside. Lady Helen entered and found him holding the book with a guilty expression.

"What are you doing boy?"

"I was delivering a preparation for your voice…I just…thought this looked interesting. I apologize My Lady."

"Do you know what that book is boy?"

"Yes…My Lady. It's a spell book."

"Indeed it is. Are you going to turn me into the King?"

"That would be rather hypocritical of me My Lady."

"Oh? You have magic?"

"Yes My Lady."

"Show me."

Merlin glanced at the door and his eyes flashed golden before the door shut itself. Lady Helen looked mighty impressed.

"How did you do that without speaking a spell?"

"I don't know My Lady…I've been able to move things since before I could even talk."

"Born with magic? What a rare and special child you are. Do you know any spells?"

"Not yet, My Lady."

"Allow me to teach you some then. Come here and sit with me."

Lady Helen sat with Merlin and taught him several small but useful spells; locking and unlocking doors, creating shields, and calling on the base elements to aid him. Merlin was fascinated and awed by what she could do with just a few simple words. Lady Helen seemed to delight in teaching him what she knew.

"My son had magic…he couldn't do much with it, just simple tricks, but he was still killed for it."

"I am sorry to hear that My Lady. How did it happen?"

"Uther Pendragon killed my son…"

"How…how can you sing for him…knowing what he did?"

"We all do what we must. You must be very careful not to get caught by anyone in this place."

"Two people here already know what I can do…and they keep my secret."

"Oh? Who might they be?"

"The Court Physician, Gaius…he knows my mother so he took me in."

"And the other who knows?"

"Prince Arthur."

"He knows? Yet…you still live?"

"He's nothing like his father. He's asked me to protect him from those who would attack him because of what his father has done."

"I see…I am sorry to hear that."

"What? Why?"

"Because…young Merlin…that is why I am here…to kill Uther's son for taking mine from me."

"You can't! I can't let you do that."

"I can see that…I am sorry for this."

Lady Helen blew some sort of powder into Merlin's face and he choked a bit before passing out. The woman looked down at him with a sad sort of smile. She needed the boy out of her way but she couldn't bring herself to kill the boy who had such potential. She headed to the main hall for the feast as Merlin lay unmoving on her floor. She decided that she would take him with her when she left Camelot for good and train him. Merlin woke far sooner than the woman had been expecting him to as his magic worked to counteract the powder she'd infused with her own magic.

He groaned softly as he woke, groggy and disoriented, and stumbled into the hallway and stopped a passing servant to ask about the feast, paling when he was told the performance had already started. A burst of adrenaline hit his system and he used it to bolt to the feast hall, arriving as Lady Helen was advancing upon a sleeping and helpless Arthur. Merlin's eyes flashed gold and a giant chandelier fell upon her, knocking her to the ground as Merlin ran around the outside of the hall to get to Arthur. As he neared the blond Lady Helen morphed into Mary Collins, the mother of the young man who had been executed upon Merlin's arrival to Camelot. She pushed herself up just enough to use her magic to launch a dagger at Arthur's head and Merlin reacted on instinct, slowing time long enough to grab Arthur and pull him out of harm's way. The dagger embedded itself in the chair where Arthur's head had been as Mary Collins looked at Merlin with sad eyes and breathed her last. Arthur had somehow wrapped a hand around the back of Merlin's head as they fell to keep him from getting hurt and Merlin only just realized this as he felt the heat from that hand.

"Are you alright?"

"Yes Merlin…thank you."

Arthur helped Merlin up off of the floor as Uther walked over to them. He looked at Merlin in a more favorable light than he had before.

"You saved my son's life. I owe you a debt of gratitude."

"It was nothing My Lord."

"Nonsense…a debt must be paid."

"Father? If I may make a suggestion?"

"You may…"

"I would like to have him as my personal assistant."

"You mean a manservant?"

"No…my assistant…a higher position than a mere manservant. I think he's earned it."

"Hmm…I suppose you are right…very well. I'll allow it."

"Thank you Father. Come Merlin, sit by me."

"Yes Sire."

Merlin sat next to Arthur as Lady Morgana came over to see if they were both alright. Arthur waved off her concern but Merlin felt rather touched that a noble lady of such beauty would care if he was hurt.

"Thank you, My Lady. I'm alright though. Prince Arthur made sure I didn't hit my head."

"He did? I guess he's taken a liking to you then. I'm Morgana."

"I know…I mean…everyone knows the infamously beautiful Lady Morgana. Even in Ealdor we know who you are.""

"Oh I like this one Arthur…he's adorably sweet."

Arthur gave Morgana a warning look and she gave a shallow nod of her head in return to show that she would not try to steal Merlin form him. Merlin missed the entire exchange as he was too busy staring at the massive plate of food Arthur slid over in front of him. Morgana bit her lip to keep from laughing at his expression while Arthur rolled his eyes.

"Eat Merlin. You'll need your strength if you're going to help me tomorrow."

"Yes Sire. It was a pleasure to meet you My Lady."

"You as well, Merlin. Do be careful not to get killed around him…you seem so much more entertaining than anyone else around here."

"I shall try my best My Lady."

Eventually Merlin fell into bed, exhausted but a happy smile plastered onto his face at having protected Arthur successfully. He had no idea what he would be doing as a personal assistant…but he hoped it wouldn't be too difficult. Gaius spent half the night staring into his fire and worrying about what this change would mean for his charge…and how he would keep him safe and on the right path.

A/N: I know I should probably finish one Merlin story before starting another but this idea kept calling to me so I had to do it. I hope ya'll enjoyed this first chapter. Let me know what you think of it.