Merlin x Arthur
Disclaimer: I don't own Merlin, or anything related to it, or anything in this story that just happens to resemble Disney's Aladdin.
AN: Hello readers, I apologize to all my Junior readers, I just had to get this off my chest. But I have started my next chapter, and it will be out soon. To Merlin readers, I hope you enjoy it and I have the characters right. It will be slash a little later in the story, but for now its just Arthur and Merlin finding out if they even like each other or not. :P
Genie
Part 1
The castle was enormous. Its corridors were interwoven into a multi level labyrinth. Some corridors were an endless line of doors, other lead to stairwells, and half lead to dead ends and locked doors.
Arthur and his best six knights had been sent on a quest to find out everything they could about the man who had risen from no where just 1 years ago and taken control of the Kingdom to the East, over throwing their King and taking up residence as the New Ruler. King Uthur had sent emissaries to the new King Adrian to have them never return. Now it was up to Arthur to find out what exactly was going on.
The knights had set up camp within the forest on the edge of the main town and surveyed the main castle for a week before deciding to attempt any plan of getting themselves into the castle.
Arthur had decided only he and Leon, his most trusted knight, would dress as merchants and enter the castle to get an internal layout. This spying was not something Arthur would usually condone, but he had no desire to get his knights killed by trying to enter the castle by force, when they were out numbered one to fifty. The five other knights would just have to wait and watch, with orders to return to the Camelot if Arthur and Leon hadn't returned by nightfall.
They had made it into the castle courtyard easily offering to sell a cart of firewood, they and the other knights had collected in the forest. It was a good plan as all castles always needed wood to light their fires and the bundles of kindling that they brought worked well to hide their weapons. Once they were in they had grabbed their swords and slipped behind the stables, making their way through the servants quarters and into the main castle.
All had been going well, they had even managed to find the new kings quarters. They had entered using the servant corridors. Surprisingly that door had been unlock and unguarded. It was there that Arthur had seen in. An unassuming, and dull palm sized medallion. It was not pretty, or adored with beautiful jewels, just funny looking symbols and lines carved on both sides of the round surface. He couldn't understand what drew him to it. He could not even understand why he was still clutching it in his hand as they ran for their lives through the labyrinth of corridors as the castle warning bells tolled loudly outside.
A Castle parole had stumbled across the Knights well-hidden camp and raised the alarm. When the scout counted an extra two bed roles they suspected some had gotten into the castle. So now Leon and Arthur were running from the pack of castle guards on their tail through a never-ending series of corridors they did not know. And he was still clutching the medallion.
They rounded a corner and flew up a flight of stairs coming to a trap door. They forced it open and bolted it shut behind them. While Leon grabbed anything he could find in the sparse room to make the door more secure Arthur made his way over to the one tiny window set in the stonewall. It over looked the castle's courtyard where King Adrian had Arthurs knights clad in their bright red clocks. He had them lined up on their knees facing a stock of cross bow welding soldiers. Each of his knights had some form of battle wound from the fight they had put up against the castle guard when they were discovered unawares.
Arthur noticed that he and Leon had managed to lock themselves in the north tower with no way to escape. The only door was the trap door they had come through. Now guarded by a dozen castle guards. They were trapped with no way to help themselves or his faithful knights.
He could hear the faint rasp of some castle sergeant's voice as he growled at his knights threatening them with death if they did not reveal who it was that had infiltrated the castle. He froze at attention when a figure, wearing fine robes stormed across the courtyard frantic and shouting orders.
Arthur could make out the words medallion and get it. The sergeant scurried to do his king's bidding, fear in every movement of his body.
The King turned to the courtyard at large raising his voice as loud as it could go.
"I know you are here little knights hiding in my castle," He exclaimed as his eyes moved to the little window in the north tower, "If you give me the medallion you stole, I will let you and your knights live another day."
Arthur turned to Leon who had joined him at the window.
"You have the medallion?" Leon asked him looking incredulously down at Arthur's closed fist and the chain that hung from it, "Why?"
"I.." Arthur paused unable to answer, he did not know why he had taken it.
"Give it back to them, sire," Leon demanded, adding Arthur's corrected address as an after thought.
They could barely make out the Kings face but Arthur knew they would be killed on site if they opened the trap door and handed back the medallion.
"We'll be killed either way," Arthur replied tone icy, and not to be questioned.
Leon stepped back shoulders slumped, "Yes Sire, but we can't stay up here for ever we have no supplies and the others will be killed."
"I know, but we have to find away, maybe we can use this as a bargaining chip since this new King seems to value it so much." Arthur said looking down at the round piece of metal in his hand. He ran his thumb over it absent-mindedly wiping away some of his sweat that had built up on the dull surface.
Arthur dropped the thing is surprise as it heated up in his hand, starting to glow. They both drew their swords and back way from it as it vibrated against the stone floor. A blinding white glow filled the room as a figure seemed to rise from the surface of the medallion. Arthur and Leon were forced to close their eyes to protect them from going blind.
When they opened them again they saw a young man, man shape, kneeling on the ground in from of them head bowed.
"What do you wish of me, my master?" the figure spoke, disdain dripping from his voice.
"Ahh," Arthur stuttered unsure what to make of the glowing man kneeling in front of him.
The being looked up quickly and grinned rising gracefully to his feet.
"Thank the goddess someone other then that grumpy bastard picked me up," He said still grinning.
"Who the hell are you?" Arthur demanded regaining his voice and banishing his sword at the obviously powerful being in front of him. Leon followed suit gaining a defensive stance ready to protect his prince.
"I am Merlin, I am to be your humble servant as long as you have possession of my little medallion," The man said bowing at the waist and gesturing towards the medallion, once again dull and unassuming, "You were the one who rubbed it, were you not?" he continued looking up at Arthur through his fringe.
"Yes, I was," Arthur said, confidence filling his voice once more. He surveyed the bowed figure caught in the gaze of his golden stare. The man glowed with an internal light making his skin an unearthly white. He wore simple clothing, just a dark blue vest and loose pants, both secured at his waist by a long red scarf tied off at his right hip. His hair was black as the deepest shadows in the night and his ears just visible under the thick strands were slightly pointed. His wrists, neck and ankles, just visible under the cuff of his pants, were adorned with circles of intricate black symbols tattooed into his flesh standing out in starch contrast to his white skin.
Arthur blinded breaking from the golden gaze and stepped back, "What the hell are you?" he demanded knowing it was something magic, something despised by his father and against the laws of Camelot.
"That's very rude to ask someone," Merlin said standing straight once more, eyebrows rising, "I'm your genie, I will grant you any wish your heart desires."
"Wish?" Arthur said lowering his sword and stepping slightly forward.
"Sire?" Leon exclaimed moving forward to stop him.
"It's ok Leon, I don't think he's going to attack us," Arthur said gesturing him to step back.
"But it's magic," Leon almost whispered, fear creeping into his voice.
"I know," Arthur replied quickly swiping the medallion off the floor.
"I'm standing right here you know," Merlin said butting in.
Arthur and Leon turned to stare at him swords coming up once more on reflex.
"And I'm also not an it," Merlin continued spreading his arms wide in a gesture of submission, even if he was smirking.
"Can you get us out of here, all of my knights and myself," Arthur asked hurriedly seeing the trap door rattle out of the corner of his eye.
"If you wish it, I can do it," Merlin grinned.
"Then I wish it," Arthur replied determinedly.
"Sire!" Leon cried in surprise.
"Your knights are the ones with the red clocks with the little dragons right?" Merlin asked smiling as the room once again filled with a blinding white light.
GENIE
Arthur blinked as his eyes adjusted to the bright sunlight streaming through the trees he was now staring up at as he lay on his back. He sat up slowly, cautiously looking around him. His sword lay beside him and he picked it up as he gained his feet. He moved thought the under growth and stepped out of the line of trees into a clearing, a clearing so familiar to him that he could see the turrets of Camelot castle peaking over the trees on the other side.
He moved forward slowly sword at the ready, his sharp gaze penetrating the tree line around him.
"Wish granted," said a voice cheerfully to his left. Arthur swung around his sword leading. He saw the sharp blade pass through the glowing man beside him cleaving him in half and watched in silent wonder as it he then knitted back together before his eyes.
"Ouch, that wasn't very nice, if I was a real person I would be dead you know." Merlin said rubbing his newly healed stomach.
"You shouldn't sneak up on people with swords." Arthur growled in defense lowering his sword.
"I didn't sneak, I appeared," Merlin countered, " now you have my medallion you'll have to just get use to it."
"Your medallion?" Arthur questioned looking down at his empty left hand then down at his chest where the medallion now hung, "What?" Arthur continued confused picking up the disc and running his thumb over it studying the symbols.
"Stop that it ti..tickles," Merlin stuttered shivering, wrapping his arms around himself trying to suppress the feeling of fingers running over his skin.
Arthur dropped the medallion to hic chest and looked up at Merlin, "Really?"
"How else do you think I know your summoning me," Merlin answered slightly annoyed.
"Um, it gives you a poke or something?" Arthur replied.
"No, you prat, it doesn't do that." Merlin exclaimed dropping his arms to his sides.
Before Arthur could answer to that Leon burst from the trees.
"Sire, you're here, are you all right," He asked concerned coming to an abrupt stop at his side warily eyeing Merlin his sword at the ready.
Arthur turned to him, ignoring Merlin who just shrugged.
"I'm fine Leon, where are the others?" Arthur asked eyes turning back to the tree line.
"I don't know sire, as soon as I woke I came to find you," Leon answered concerned.
Arthur turned back to Merlin, "I thought you said you could bring all my Knights back?" he demanded.
"I did," Merlin replied crossing his arms.
"Then where are they?" Arthur growled.
"I'm not some half assed wizard you know. They probably don't want to find you, I mean it is your fault they were there in the first place," Merlin replied defensively.
"They followed me willingly as their Prince," Arthur defended, "They would follow me to the ends of the earth if I asked them."
"Oh really, well I'm sorry your Pratliness, then I'm sure they'll turn up eventually," Merlin replied rolling his eyes.
"You…!" Arthur started.
"Sire, look" Leon cut him off gesturing to the tree line as five very disorientated and disheveled knights stumbled from the tree line.
Arthur turned to Merlin eyes narrowed, "What they're here aren't they," Merlin said gesturing to the confused knights as they got closer.
"How do I make you disappear, I don't want to have to explain you to them," Arthur demanded.
"Do you have any manners? "Merlin asked voice rising.
"Merlin" Arthur growled.
"No thanks at all," he grumbled as he faded into the medallion.
Leon blinked, "Sire how do you plan to explain this to them and the king?"
"Guardian Angel?" Arthur said in jest shrugging.
Leon's eyebrows rose.
GENIE
It had been tough explaining to the knights what had happened without bringing up the M word. Leon, however had backed him up on everything he had said and the knights didn't ask any questions, proving their complete trust in their prince.
The King had been surprisingly easy. Simply by saying they had been discovered by the castle scouts and had to flee leaving behind all their supplies and horses worked well, and it wasn't even lying, as they had been away long enough for it to be believable. Uthur was far from pleased but was placated by the information they had managed to gather about their new enemy. Arthur was assigned to run more training sessions for the knights as well as pay for the lost supplies and horses from his own money chest as punishment, which was mild compared to what he could have had to endure.
After the audience with the King, Arthur had to clean up and get ready for dinner with his father and Morgana to speak to them more intimately of the happenings in new king Arian's kingdom and his father informed him of court matters that had occurred during his absents.
Now back in his quarters Arthur dumbed everything on his table and flopped, gracefully of course, into his chair set by the warmth of the fire. He stared into the flames trying to process the last 24 hours. He reached up and pulled the medallion out from under his shirt where he had hidden it before speaking to his father. He studied the runes again still trying to familiarize him self with them.
He sighed, he knew he needed to find out more about this 'Genie' he had acquired and destroy it if it posed a threat to the kingdom. He wondered about Merlin, he looked to be around his age, if not for the glowing and seemed to have no respect for his betters.
Slowly he rubbed his thumb over the smooth surface of the metal disc and looked up as Merlin appeared beside his chair.
"You rubbed?" Merlin said smirking.
Arthur raised his eyebrows.
"What, not a good greeting?" Merlin teased.
"You should address me as sire or my Lord, if you're going to be my servant." Arthur replied a slight growl in his voice.
Merlin deflated, as his eyes cast downwards, "Is that a wish, my Lord?"
Arthur paused, then ignored Merlin's question, "How many wishes do I actually have?" he needed to know how much power one person could have if they had the medallion.
"You have in infinite number as long as you are in the possession of the medallion," Merlin replied automatically.
"What happens if I lose it?" Arthur asked curious.
Merlin looked up at his, his golden gaze steady, "You will never again have the use of me or my powers, the medallion will not work for you, even if you gain it back."
"I see so that means your other master Adrian can not use your powers again?"
Arthur continued trying to confirm if Adrian would be a threat if he ever reacquired the medallion.
"Yes," Merlin replied looking down again, mumbling something he could not hear.
"Can I destroy the medallion?" Arthur questioned leaning a little forward.
Merlin looked up sharply, surprise concealed in his golden eyes, taking a deep breath he spoke, " There is one way."
"And what's that?" Arthur asked eagerly.
"You must take my medallion to the highest peak of the highest mountain range, and place it in a rock crevice, which you must fill with molten metal and then your done," Merlin replied trying to suppress a smile.
Arthur's eyes narrow, "Your lying."
"You never said I had to tell the truth," Merlin grinned crossing his arms.
Arthur pushed himself back into his chair, "So I have to wish for you to tell me the truth?"
"I'm your genie you tell me," Merlin replied mockingly turning his face away.
"Fine, I wish you to tell me the true to any questions I ask you." Arthur said sitting up straighter in his chair.
Merlin sighed turning back to Arthur and dropping his arms to his sides, "Wish granted," he intoned clicking the fingers of his right hand.
"So that's it no light-show this time?" Arthur asked shifting in his chair.
"Nope," Merlin shook his head resigned, "Ask your questions my Lord."
"Can the medallion be destroyed?" Arthur asked again.
Merlin shook his head, "No."
"Then why didn't you tell me that before, if I'd believed you, you would be stuck forever on the top of a mountain," Arthur asked curious.
Merlin looked away into the flames of the fire, as his arms came up to wrap around his body, "I don't want to be used any more."
Arthur looked down at the medallion, took a breath and looked back up at Merlin, "Is there anyway for it to be neutralized then?"
Merlin looked over at him, " You could wish me free," he replied, a little hope in his voice.
Arthur looked into his golden eyes seeing the depth of his want for that freedom, "What would happen if I set you free?"
Merlin turned to face Arthur completely, "I would be human and the medallion would just be an ugly piece of metal."
"And you wouldn't have magic any more?" Arthur had to know.
Merlin turned to the fire once more, the flames flicked casting light briefly into the shadows, "No."
Arthur frowned, "No you wouldn't have magic?"
"No," Merlin repeated.
"So you would have magic?" Arthur tried again trying to get a straight answer.
"Yes." Merlin replied giving into the magic of Arthur's wish.
Arthur turned away looking once more down at the medallion, ghosting his fingers over its surface, "I can't free you then."
Merlin visibly slumped; his body seemed to deflate as any hope he had drained out of it.
"So anything else I should be aware of before I start wishing?" Arthur asked changing the subject quickly.
Merlin let out a breath and stood up straighter. Turning to Arthur his mischievous genie façade seem to fall back in place as he answered.
"Well considering I'm an all powerful genie, there are actually a few rules when it comes to wishes."
"And what might those be?" Arthur prompted.
Merlin smiled, a smile that Arthur realized didn't reach his eyes, and held out his hand starting to count down from one,
"One, You can't wish anyone dead, magic just doesn't work like that. I mean you can wish for circumstances that lead to their death but I can't make them just drop dead." Merlin explained cheerfully, "Two, can't make anyone fall in love, lust is easy, love impossible. Three I can't raise a soul from the dead."
"Soul?" Arthur interrupted confused and guarded.
Merlin grinned, "I can raise bodies from the grave, but I can't bring back their souls, so they are just empty shells. I wouldn't recommend that thou. Necromancy, even for a genie is iffy. I once had a master who had me raise a zombie army. He wasn't my master for much longer after that."
Arthur looked at the cheerful Merlin warily, "Ok no raising people from the dead, anything else?"
"One more thing, you can't undo your wishes once I have granted it. That includes adjusting wishes too." Merlin finished dropping his hands to his hips, "So you should think about what it is your wishing before you wish it."
Arthur said nothing as he looked back down at the medallion in his hand then dropped it back to his chest as his gazed turned to the flickering flames of the fire.
The two men lapsed into silence, one watching the other expectantly the other watching the fire.
Merlin wasn't very good at silence, "So what do you want to wish for then?"
Arthur looked up at him with a sharp gaze, "Magic is band in Camelot, just talking to you means I am committing an act of treason."
"Yeah so, I'm a genie, if you want I came make the laws change." Merlin replied dryly.
"They are my fathers laws, and they are there for good reason." Arthur replied calmly.
"So why don't you get rid of me?" Merlin questioned confused.
Arthur posture straightened "Because, if I do that and someone else finds your medallion and uses your powers, Camelot could be in danger."
"Right so your just going to keep me as some trinket until you die?" Merlin growled.
"At this point yes, I may find another use for you later," Arthur smiled, "How would you feel about cleaning out my horses?"
"I'm a genie, not some toy you can play around with!" Merlin exclaimed, "My purpose is to grant wishes."
"Didn't you say you wanted to be put on the top of a mountain and never found again, so you couldn't be used?" Arthur countered.
Merlin's golden eyes narrowed, "That is different from being toted around by some spoilt arrogant prince as a prize for the rest of their miserable life."
Arthur leapt to his feet angrily looming over Merlin, "I am not some spoilt prince, nor is my life miserable."
Merlin didn't back down an inch, "Oh so I won't have to hang around the neck of a prince that has everything handed to him on a silver platter, but still can't seem to get daddy's approval."
Arthur barely managed to hold back from physically attacking the man before him. Only knowing it would do nothing stopped him,
"At least I'm not some slave that has to grant everyone else's wish, but never able to grant your own." He growled.
Merlin's eyes flashed, as his hands curled into fists, "I am a slave," Merlin growled back, "how does that make you feel Master?"
Before Arthur could answer, his door swung open as a guard barged through, breaking him away from Merlin's angry gaze. The guard looked around the room confused and Arthur could see his companion behind him do the same.
"Are you ok Sire, I apologize for barging in, but we thought we heard yelling?" The Guard asked worriedly.
Arthur turned back to an empty space before him. Merlin was gone. His hand automatically rose to the medallion around his neck. It felt warm to the touch.
"No nothing is wrong, I'm fine," Arthur turned fully to placid the guard, princely façade in place, "You may go."
"Sorry sire, thank you sire," The guard bowing quickly out of the room and shutting the door.
Merlin did not reappear. Arthur looked down at the medallion. He could summon him again, but it would be pointless. He had training early in the morning. So instead Arthur changed into his bedclothes and settled under the covers, medallion resting warm against his chest. He could deal with Merlin tomorrow.
GENIE
Arthur woke as the harsh light of day streamed across his face. George his manservant stood back from the window and moved over to his bed, standing straight-backed and slightly pompously.
"Good morning sire, I have a lovely selection of breakfast dishes for you this morning. There is ham and eggs and.."
"That's all George," Arthur said cutting him off.
"Don't you wish for me to help you dress, I have laid out…"
"No that is all George you're dismissed," Arthur cut him off again trying not to growl, he usually enjoyed his servant's doting, but this morning he had no patience to deal with his perfect overbearing manservant.
"Very well sire, I will be back to set out lunch. I would also like to remind you that you have morning training to attend." George replied enthusiastically. Then marched to the door and bowed low, "My Lord," he finished backing out the door closing it as he went.
"Wow, that guy is like.." Merlin exclaimed suddenly on the bed in front of him.
Arthur would never admit to the girlish squeal he let out as he toppled from the bed at his appearance.
"Sleep well sire?" Merlin asked peering down at him over the bed.
"Yes, I did," Arthur growled struggling to untangle himself from his bed clothes. It seemed Merlin had forgotten about their argument from the night before.
"But got up on the wrong side of the bed I see," Merlin chuckled swinging his legs over the side of the bed, and flicked his fingers, causing the bedding to dump Arthur unceremoniously on the floor as it returned to the bed. Or not.
"Shouldn't you be, somewhere, until I summon you or something?" Arthur grumbled pulling himself off the floor and making his way over to his favorite chair and breakfast, choosing not to comment on the small insult.
"No," Merlin said following, "As long as I have a master I can leave the medallion when I want to."
"Unless I wish it otherwise right," Arthur stated picking at a piece of ham.
"Yeah," Merlin said a little warily stopping at the edge of the table facing Arthur.
"How far away from the medallion can you go?" Arthur asked before placing the piece of ham in his mouth.
"I haven't really tested it," Merlin replied leaning over the table and snagging a piece of cheese and a slice of bread, "but probably only about a league."
"Hey, that's my food," Arthur protested, "and you're a Genie, can you even eat that?"
"I maybe an immortal mythical being, but, "Merlin said taking a bite of the bread and cheese and chewing slowly, "I still have a stomach and like to enjoy eating on occasion, got a problem with that?"
"I do when it's my food," Arthur replied pulling the plate closer to him and picked up his fork to poke at the poached egg.
"So are you going to wish for anything?" Merlin asked finishing off the bread.
"No," Arthur replied not even looking up from his plate.
"Mmmm, how about I give you some suggestions," Merlin replied stepping back from the table with a flourish spreading his arms.
"How about girls, every young man wants girls," Merlin said clicking his fingers and four beautiful scantily clothed women appeared, giggling and posing suggestively.
Arthur looked up from his plate, popping another piece of ham into his mouth. He smiled and lounged back in his chair, throwing a leg over one for the arms. He looked the girls up and down.
"I'm a prince, I can have any women I like, without having to wish for it," Arthur replied bored looking down to study his nails.
Merlin huffed and waved his hand vanishing the girls, "What about riches, fine cuisine, horses?" he said making each appear as he said it.
Arthur looked up unimpressed at the display, "I all ready have all of those, can't you offer something else?"
"Ok how about this," Merlin said stepping forward and clicking his fingers. A glass dome filled with water set on an elaborately adorned base appeared in his hand.
"What is that?" Arthur asked, putting his leg down and leaning forward to study it more closely as Merlin presented the globe to him.
"I like to call it a snow globe," Merlin replied happily.
Arthur's eyebrows rose, "A what?"
"Snow Globe," Merlin repeated twisting his wrist so Arthur could see little white flakes drift through the water as the dome was swirled around.
"And this came from where?" Arthur asked leaning back into his chair.
"I made it up," Merlin replied eagerly, "I mean I do have a lot of time to think between masters sometimes."
Arthur suppressed a smile, "Why am I not surprise you came up with something like that."
"Hey, its really fun," Merlin replied pulling the globe back to his chest.
"I'm sure it is for simple minds," Arthur replied smirking.
"That's not.." Merlin starting to protest, before one of the horses whinnied loudly poring at the ground, cutting him off. Arthur turned in his chair to face the door as a tentative knock was heard. He turned back to Merlin waving his hand at him. Merlin glared at him but vanished along with everything else he had conjured.
"Enter," Arthur ordered.
A Guard, one different from the night before stepped through.
"I'm sorry for the intrusion Sire, but I thought I heard horses?" He said warily looking at the empty room, and then blushed when he realized the prince was still in his bedclothes. "I wanted to check everything was alright," He finished quickly averting his eyes.
"As you can see everything is fine and as you can see there are no horses, you may go," Arthur dismissed him pompously turning back to his breakfast.
"Yes Sire," The guard bowed and exited hastily to stand back at his post, whispering to his companion standing to the other side of the door to assure him everything was fine and there were no horses.
Arthur sighed, quickly finishing off his breakfast and stepped behind the dressing screen to don his training clothes laid out by George while he slept. Picking up his new freshly polished armor and sword, he took the bundle over to the table and set it down. Staring at it sitting there, he wished he hadn't dismissed his manservant. It was his spare set of armor, since his good set was lost along with all his other supplies and horse and he was not use to putting it on. He looked down at his chest, picking up the medallion and drew it over his head placing it on the table next to his armor. It wasn't something he could wear while training.
He slowly shrugged into his chain mail and tunic, and started to buckle every armor plate in place. He was just finished buckling his wrist guard and picked up his gloves when a knock came at his door.
"Enter," he intoned turning to the door as it opened at his voice. Leon stepped through bowing his head in respect. He wore only his training clothes, not his armor having lost it with Arthur's. His sword however was buckled securely at his hip.
"Sire, I wish to speak to you about yesterday," Leon requested his gaze moving from Arthur to the medallion on the table sitting innocently next to Arthur's sword.
"I have been expecting you would," Arthur said beckoning Leon further into the room, away from the door.
Arthur moved to the table and picked up the medallion.
"Have you found a way to destroy it, Sire?" Leon asked moving to stand beside Arthur.
"There is no way to destroy it," Arthur replied curling his fingers around metal disc, "And I can't neutralize it either."
"What are you planning to do with it? Have you told the King?" Leon asked concerned.
"As long as it is in my possession and no one else becomes aware of it, it cannot be used against Camelot." Arthur stated, "And that includes informing the King."
"But that's treason?" Leon pulled back disapprovingly.
Arthur let out a breath turning away from his Knight, "I know, but if my father finds out about this, I shudder to think what length's he will go to destroy it, and how it will effect to Kingdom." He turned looking Leon in the eye, "I have no intension to use it for myself."
"I did not think that you would Sire," Leon quickly assured him, "But what makes you think the King could not find away to destroy it?"
"I forced the Genie to tell me, he said it has no weakness" Arthur replied eyes hard.
"You have spoken to him then," Leon wanted to confirm.
"Yes I have, he is not a threat to the Kingdom in my hands, but if any of our enemy's were to gain this medallion, we could not stand against them." Arthur confirmed gravely.
Leon nodded, "I trust your judgment My Lord, but I do not trust the word of a magical being."
"If you trust my judgment, then you will trust me when I say he did not lie to me." Arthur answered full of conviction.
"Of course my Lord," Leon replied confident in his Prince.
"I'll find away to make it more secure, but for today I'll keep it lock in here," Arthur said moving over to his small chest of draws next to his bed and opening the top draw. He placed the medallion carefully inside and slid it closed, locking it securely. He walked back over to Leon placing the key on his belt.
"Shall we go?" he said picking up his sword and gesturing towards the door.
"Yes, Sire your knights will be waiting," Leon said following Arthur out the door.
GENIE
Arthur was walking across the courtyard after leaving his knights sweaty from training when George, his manservant rushed from the castle skidding to a halt in front of him.
"My Lord, my Lord," he panted, bowing hastily and blurted, " I went into your room to clean and set out your lunch and everything was already clean, someone else was in your room."
Arthur frowned, taking a second to understand his manservant's garble, then started forward walking quickly up the steps and into the castle leaving his manservant to gain his breath behind him.
Be hastened through the castle, as princes do not run, unless a damsel was in distress of course, and burst through his chamber doors. He swung them shut behind him just as quickly when he saw what the problem was.
Merlin was lounging on his freshly made bed eating the lunch George had brought up for Arthur.
"What the hell do you think your doing?" Arthur demanded storming over to his bed.
"Well," Merlin started, sitting up against the pillows and putting the plate beside him, "You left me here all by myself, and I decided I didn't want to spend my time in a pig sty you call your room. So I cleaned up a little. Then your stick in the mud manservant brought in lunch, then ran out so quickly I helped myself."
"My manservant had better not have seen you." Arthur said snatching his plate, "And stop eating my food, you don't even need it."
"You could always wish me not to do it you know," Merlin said in challenge.
"Don't make me," Arthur growled moving over to the table and slamming the plate down and placing both hands down supporting his weight on its edge.
Merlin watched him warily, then realizing Arthur wasn't going to do anything, slid off the bed to stand behind him, "So going to wish for anything yet?" Merlin asked innocently.
"No I'm bloody well not!" Arthur roared whipping around, to find Merlin gone and a tentative George looking around his door.
"Have you found the culprit my Lord," He asked cautiously stepping into the room.
"It was one of the chamber maids," Arthur snapped stepping away from the table, "Now help me off with my armor."
"Yes, Sire," George replied meekly moving over Arthur and starting to unbuckle his armor, "but I'll have to speak to the chamber maids, they should not be doing my job."
"What ever you say," Arthur muttered.
GENIE
The next week was horrible for Arthur. Merlin was constantly insisting he had to wish for something, coming up with more and more ridiculous ideas. Each time he gave him an example, someone noticed and started asking questions. Rumors were spreading throughout the castle about the strange noises from his room and his angry unexplained outbursts. George was starting to crack, not being able to find out who it was that was cleaning Arthur's room, or taking away Arthur's plates or stealing his polishing clothes. And to make matters worse his father had found out and questioned him about it. What was even worst was the visit from Gaius and his not so subtle questions about Arthur's mental health.
He was at the end of his rope. He couldn't handle it anymore. He had to wish for something, just enough to make Merlin stop, but he couldn't bring himself to do it. He knew once he made a wish he maybe tempted to do it again and be couldn't allow him self to abuse the power he now possessed. Couldn't allow him self to go against his father and the laws of Camelot.
He had refused even to wish to curb Merlin's antics, he couldn't bring himself to go against his own principles by forcing someone, even a mythical being, with magic.
But then the perfect idea came to him, one that should keep Merlin occupied and him very happy. It came to him when George came to him once again, fretting about the state of his room, also apparently at the end of his rope.
Once he had dismissed the man he sat down in his chair in front of the fire, medallion in hand. Slowly he rubbed his thumb over the smooth surface and Merlin appeared in front of him looking disgruntled.
"I was having a really nice nap you know," he said flicking his wrist, dragging a chair over so he could sit down, "Do you want a wish now."
"Actually I do," Arthur said cheerfully.
"Really?" Merlin asked perking up, "What is it?"
Arthur smiled twirling the medallion between his finger, "I have decided, since you seem to be good at cleaning my room and eating all my food, I'm going to give you a job."
Merlin frowned, "Oh and what would that be?"
"I wish you to be my manservant." Arthur replied grinning.
"Wait, what?" Merlin exclaimed jumping to his feet, "What about George, isn't he your manservant?"
"You're a genie, it isn't your place to question wishes, and he got a new job, so.." Arthur replied prompting him.
Merlin stared at him incredulously.
"You should be glad to grant this wish, at least it gives you something to do." Arthur continued.
Merlin still hadn't moved.
"Any day now Merlin."
"You can't be serious," Merlin said finally, "Me a manservant."
"I am very serious, I wish for you to be my manservant. That way you can stop trying to make me wish for something and people will stop thinking I'm yelling at myself," Arthur explained studying his nails.
Merlin snorted at that, "Ok but just to remind you once I grant this wish you can't undo it."
"I know that, so grant me my wish." Arthur replied pompously.
"Very well," Merlin said bring up his hand, "Wish granted."
He clicked his fingers together and a bright light filled the room forcing Arthur to avert his eyes. Once it had subsided he turned back to see Merlin standing before him minus the glowing skin and the pointed ears in shabby servant garb. His eyes were no longer golden but a steel blue colour and the tattoos had paled to blend in with his skin.
"Tada," He said dryly holding out his hands, "Manservanty enough for you?"
Arthur grinned, "Perfect," he said.
GENIE
AN: Please review, I would love to hear your opinions on my story. Also if anyone is an artist reading this and wants to draw a picture of Genie Merlin I would love to see it. I would draw one myself, but I can't draw. :P
Part 2 – Merlin the Genie, turned manservant.
Gwen, Morgana and Gaius will be in the next chapter so don't fret.
