The Morning After the Night Before
A/N [show-me-your-tardis]
Plot – Uther catches Arthur doing something unfavourable with someone even more unfavourable. Knowing Uther's murderous ways Arthur does everything in his power to save his friend and new lover.
I wanted to make Merlin and Arthur stay in bed together for much much much longer but I couldn't *wipes away tears*
THIS WILL BE UPDATED DAILY PROMISE PROMISE PROMISE
Oh and if you haven't realised, this is a slashy slash slash story, therefore if you don't ship Merthur I do not recommend.
First chapter features whumpage!
I hope you enjoy!
Chapter One
Merlin roused slightly but kept his eyes closed. He forced himself to remember the dream he had been having.
Him and Arthur laughing and cuddling and kissing... Amongst other things. He felt his lips curve into a smile.
The wind whistled loudly round the castle walls. For once, Merlin didn't hear it come through the glass-less window in his chambers. He didn't feel it lift at his thin blanket and burrow under his skin. Instead he focused on the dream he had had.
If he thought hard enough he could still feel the muscled arm wrapped around him. He could feel the thick, impossibly-soft blanket on top of him. He could feel the warm breath on his neck. He was concentrating so hard, even when Arthur wriggled closer against the wind, Merlin put it down to his imagination.
Not daring to believe his dream had actually happened.
The sun shone directly on Arthur's face, waking him. He had forgotten to close the curtains last night. He had forgotten to do a lot of things actually, the only thing that was important last night was Merlin. Speaking of Merlin, Arthur could feel his friend (well friend wasn't really the word anymore) snuggled beneath his arm.
Arthur nuzzled closer to Merlin and kissed his neck.
"Morning." He whispered, his voice croaky with sleep.
Merlin jumped and Arthur pulled away quickly.
"What? What did I do?" Arthur asked as he sat up.
Merlin spun around in the bed and faced Arthur.
"You're real!" Merlin practically shouted.
Arthur pressed his hand to Merlin's mouth and laughed, "Shh!"
"But you're real." Merlin mumbled against Arthur's hand.
"Of course I'm real Merlin!" Arthur laughed again, "I'm going to remove my hand. Don't scream about how I'm real, okay?"
Arthur removed his hand, revealing Merlin's cute smile.
"Why wouldn't I be real?" Arthur asked, pulling the covers back over himself as he lay down on his pillow.
"I thought... Nevermind." Merlin said, resting his head on Arthur's chest, his forehead pressed against Arthur's neck.
"Tell me." Arthur begged, wrapping both his arms around Merlin tightly.
"I would if I could breathe!" Merlin gasped.
"Sorry." Arthur mumbled, loosening his grip slightly.
"I thought-" Merlin was cut off by the door slamming open.
Both of them snapped up as Uther, followed by roughly ten guards, poured through Arthur's chamber doors.
"ARTHUR!" Uther bellowed.
Arthur realised he still had an arm around Merlin, he pulled away quickly and struggled for something to say.
But really, what was there to say? His father had just caught him in his bed with his manservant, in his underwear. There was no way to deny it, no way to say "it's not what you think" because it was; it was exactly what Uther thought.
Arthur loved Merlin, there was no point trying to deny it. He had spent long enough denying his feelings.
"Father..." Arthur trailed off at the fury in Uther's eyes.
"Seize them."
Uther gestured to the bed, all the while staring straight at Arthur. Ignoring Merlin's very existence.
The guards stomped forward. Hands reached out and ripped Merlin and Arthur apart.
"Father stop!" Arthur struggled against the hands gripping him.
He was dragged from the bed forcefully, but it was nothing compared to how Merlin was dragged. Arthur struggled harder, trying to get free as Merlin was yanked from the bed and thrown to the floor.
"STOP IT! Father stop them!" Arthur screamed.
He managed to pull one arm free and reach across the bed. He couldn't even get close to the guards, now punching and kicking Merlin on the floor, before another guard grabbed his free arm.
"LET ME GO! STOP! YOU'LL KILL HIM!" Arthur begged
Arthur was being pulled towards the door, towards his father. The few steps to his father seemed like a lifetime. He didn't take his eyes off the guards still kicking at Merlin. Memorising their faces because Arthur would have revenge. No matter what happened from now on, Arthur would never forget the faces that did this.
Eventually Merlin was wrenched to his feet, blood pouring from his nose, his forehead, his mouth. Just hours ago, Arthur had kissed every inch of Merlin's face; now it was bruised and bloody. The bruises weren't just on his face though, they were on his bare chest, some were perfectly boot-shaped. Arthur felt his mouth go dry and the tickle in his throat that told him he was going to cry. He begged himself not to cry, not to breakdown, because that would fuel Uther's anger. Uther didn't respond to begging or whimpering. Instead he tried to act indifferent.
Arthur stood up straighter against the guards and walked willingly towards Uther. It was easier to take his eyes off Merlin now, he never wanted to see him like that again. He wanted that image erased from his mind.
"Father. Don't do this." Arthur said in a monotone, "Let me explain."
"Lock them both away." Uther replied, ignoring Arthur.
"Please!" Arthur broke down again, he couldn't keep himself together when he could hear the rasping breath coming from Merlin.
The guards dragged Arthur towards the door. Once he was behind Uther's back he tried his hardest to turn and see Merlin. One last look. One last look to tell him it was going to be okay, he wouldn't let Uther do anything to him.
But he couldn't say that. By the time he had twisted around it was too late, Uther had his hand wrapped around Merlin's throat.
Merlin was keeping busy. He was planning. Inspecting every bar to his cell carefully, trying to find the weakest one – not that it would matter, his magic could break through any of these bars as easy as Arthur's sword could slice through butter. Still, he couldn't escape just yet, he had to wait for his trial. See Arthur one last time.
Unless he could convince Arthur to leave Camelot too...
No, he couldn't ask that. Arthur needed to be here, needed to become King. Then Merlin could return, maybe this was part of his destiny? Maybe it was written a long time ago that Merlin would have to leave, only to return at a later date?
Merlin sighed and turned away from the bars. There was no point even pretending to inspect them, they couldn't hold him here no matter how strong they were.
He sat down on the cold floor and rested his head against the wall separating him from Arthur.
"Arthur?" He tried calling through again.
Again no response came. He rubbed absent-mindedly at the cut across his forehead. They hadn't even sent Gaius to check on his health. Although Uther probably wouldn't care if he died, he'd only care that he missed the chance to do it himself.
Meanwhile, in the cell next door Arthur was busy pacing up and down.
"I will never throw anyone in jail unless they deserve it." Arthur vowed to the empty cell.
He kicked at a bit of hay on the floor and sighed. It had been hours since he'd been thrown in here. Merlin had come shortly after, thrown in the cell next door. Arthur didn't doubt Uther had done it on purpose. Put Merlin so close, yet too far away to speak to him. To comfort him and promise his safety.
About two hours ago, Arthur had expected Gwen to bring him some food, hoping to convince her to tell Merlin he'll be fine. But it wasn't Gwen who appeared, it was another servant. One Arthur hadn't seen before. She had barely looked at him, her hands making the tray shake, as she lowered a tray of food and a bag of clothes onto the table and dashed back out.
Arthur lowered himself to the makeshift bed in the corner. He would just sit here and wait. He might have to wait hours, a day, even two days, but eventually Uther would send for him. And Arthur would be ready.
The sun shone brightly through the small window near the top of the cell, illuminating a small square on the cell floor.
It was a beautiful day.
Four guards appeared. They split into two groups of two and walked purposefully towards his and Merlin's cells.
It was a beautiful day for Arthur to have his heart ripped out.