IMPORTANT: I'm pre-warning that this story is slightly OOC for Arthur and Merlin. I wanted to explore a different side of both their personalities, and Arthur's personality will be explained. I just wanted to say that in case Arthur or Merlin seemed slightly not in character haha :P
Thank you to all the kind reviews!
Sir Geoffrey came from a line of very vicious and cunning knights. His family was known throughout the Kingdom, for all the males from his family had been knights. The family was very cold-hearted; if a son born was not strong, it would be left for wolves in the forest. Sir Geoffrey was very strong and muscular, and had been knighted by Uther himself. But Geoffrey did not hold the traits of a knight that was so valued by Arthur. Geoffrey was cold and cruel; he did not fight for justice and he had a rather insatiable bloodlust. But Arthur had known Geoffrey since he was a boy, despite not having heard from Geoffrey for a few years, and welcomed the knight back into his ranks when Geoffrey returned to Camelot.
When Geoffrey arrived in Camelot, he immediately noticed the relationship between Arthur and his manservant. Geoffrey remained friendly and warm towards the boy, who was obviously a weakling with a small and thin build, but his mind was racing with disgust at the thought of an irrelevant servant taking his place at Arthur's side. For Geoffrey craved power and he lusted for Arthur.
Geoffrey was mostly irritated because the manservant was changing Arthur. When Geoffrey and Arthur were younger, they would pass hours securing their positions of power over the servants, the townspeople, and even the other knights. But now Arthur spoke of justice and kindness, and it made Geoffrey want to puke. No king would have a fierce hold over his people if they showed weakness like that!
Nevertheless, Geoffrey knew that he could show Arthur the errors of his ways, especially regarding the manservant. It would take a great amount of cunning on Geoffrey's part, but he knew it would be worth it when Merlin was gone and Geoffrey would take his rightful place at Arthur's side and in Arthur's bed.
Currently, the knights were seated around a table giving reports as Arthur planned on tracking a group of thieves through his Kingdom. The knights and Arthur were so thoroughly focused on their task, that they did not noticed Merlin's tired eyes and that he seemed to be swaying on the spot.
Arthur held up his cup for more water, and his eyes abruptly refocused on Merlin when he finally noticed the shaking hands holding the jug.
"Merlin!" Arthur exclaimed, jumping up to grab the jug and hand it to another servant. The noise level dropped as the rest of the knights' eyes flickered to the pair. "Did you sleep last night?"
Merlin blinked. "No … you told me to polish your armour and your reserve armour, which took forever, and because I had to help you with training yesterday and pick plants for Gaius, I had to clean out the leech tanks all last night because Gaius needs to treat his patients today."
Arthur huffed as the rest of the knights rolled their eyes in good humour, knowing and trusting Arthur to take care of Merlin. "You're supposed to tell me when you aren't feeling well."
"I feel fine!" Merlin protested, and Arthur stared at him pointedly.
"You're shaking where you're standing and you look like you're going to collapse any second now."
"But you need me here." Merlin's protest sounded weaker and almost like a question.
Arthur shook his head. "I have other servants. Go up to my chambers and get some rest so I at least know where to find you. I don't want a repeat of when you fell asleep in one of the storage chambers and I was forced to search for you for half the day."
"That was only once!" Merlin's voice squeaked, and he blushed in embarrassment. "And you won't let me live it down!"
Arthur grinned. "Because you looked so funny when you shot out of sleep and took half the boxes with you when you fell over."
Merlin huffed, but relaxed when Arthur ran his finger through the hairs at the base of Merlin's neck. "Go on up and get some rest." Arthur murmured, and Merlin nodded obediently, leaving the room.
Geoffrey's look of disgust was missed by everyone as it flashed across his face briefly. It should be him sharing an intimate moment with the King, not Merlin.
Arthur returned to his rooms an hour later, telling the guards at his doors that he did not want to be disturbed unless it was important. He shut the door behind him and stopped. Merlin's jacket and neckerchief was folded on one of his chairs with Merlin's boots placed neatly beside it. Merlin himself was curled under Arthur's sheets with only a bit of the silky black hair peeping out. Arthur had to physically restrain himself from joining Merlin in his bed.
One, because it was midday and Arthur still had work to do. Two, because he wasn't sure how Merlin would react to that.
Though the two men were very close, Arthur still felt awkward at times with the knowledge there were certain boundaries he could not cross with his manservant. Arthur had admitted to himself a long time ago that he loved his manservant, but he doubted Merlin felt the same way. In fact, Arthur was almost positive Merlin didn't feel the same way. Merlin spent half his time cleaning up Arthur's messes (literally and figuratively) and spent the other half of his time bearing the brunt of Arthur's more potent emotions. Arthur was certain that he would rule identically, if not more viciously, to Uther if Merlin was not by his side everyday. Arthur's upbringing and influences from childhood had only begun to recede when Arthur met Merlin.
Arthur allowed an indulgent smile to cross his face; he knew Merlin sleeping in Arthur's bed, instead of in the servant's chamber, was Merlin's own way of challenging Arthur's orders. Arthur didn't mind at all.
Arthur turned to his table near the fire and sat down with a sigh, pulling his paperwork forward.
After about twenty minutes, Arthur paused and looked up again. The room was warm and the fire was crackling, and Arthur's eyes strayed to the silent and motionless boy on his bed.
Arthur smiled. He could get used to this.
An hour later, a light knock on the door disrupted Arthur from his work. He glanced over to Merlin, who was thankfully still asleep, and moved over to open the door slightly.
"Arthur!" Geoffrey said jovially, smirking at the King.
Arthur nodded back, giving him a slight smile. "What can I do for you Geoffrey?"
"Can't I come in to catch up with an old friend?" Geoffrey faked hurt and winked at Arthur. "We can reminisce the good old days."
Arthur paused and glanced back. Merlin was still asleep, but he had not had the chance to talk alone with Geoffrey yet.
"Alright," Arthur pushed the door open wider. "But we have to be quiet."
"Why?" Geoffrey moved into the room and shut the door behind him
"Merlin." Arthur nodded his head towards the bed and moved the papers off the desk, missing the look of hatred Geoffrey directed at Merlin.
"You … ah … you let your manservant sleep in the royal bed?" Geoffrey's tone was delicate, and Arthur turned around to eye him once the table was clear.
"He's different." Arthur explained. "He's special."
Geoffrey raised his eyebrows as the two men settled into their seats, the knight purposely choosing the one to the King's immediate right.
"Of course," Geoffrey agreed smiling. "I myself have had many special friends."
Arthur had to stop himself from snarling. "Not that way." He ground out.
Geoffrey blinked. "I didn't mean to offend you." The knight smiled and rested his hand on Arthur's. "He must be a good friend to have earned your trust so."
"Yes," Arthur nodded. "He has done much for me."
There was a moment of silence when Geoffrey retracted his hand and reached for a goblet of wine. "I admit, things are much different here than when Uther ruled."
"Yes," Arthur agreed, taking his own goblet and swirling the contents. "Different but better. Camelot is much more peaceful now. We've made treaties with other kingdoms. I do not wish to be at war all the time. My people do not deserve that."
"I agree," Geoffrey said immediately. "But surely you must assert your dominance and power as a King? Peace is wonderful but other kingdoms may take that as weakness and attack. Not everyone is looking for peace."
"I know." Arthur rubbed his face tiredly. "But we have to try to unite this land. Fighting gets us no where except killing good men. There was a point when I didn't believe that, but Merlin made sure to knock it into me after I foolishly almost set Queen Annis against Camelot."
Geoffrey's lips tightened slightly at the manservant's name. "Indeed," he murmured. "But surely you do not heed the advice of your manservant all the time?"
Arthur's eyes narrowed. "What business is it to you?"
"Arthur, I am your friend! I am not here to offend you or insult your choices, but is it truly wise?" Geoffrey gripped Arthur's hand once more, staring pleadingly into the King's eyes. "I understand that Merlin has good advice to give. I agree with peace. However, Merlin is not a knight nor is he accustomed to military training. It would be wiser to listen to someone with such a background instead."
Arthur seemed conflicted as he gazed down at his hand enclosed by Geoffrey's. He had forgotten how close he had once been to Geoffrey; despite Geoffrey being older, Arthur had always been taller and the more dominant of the two. From a young age, he liked the control he had over Geoffrey. He still respected the knight, but the two boys always knew who the Prince was and therefore who was the leader. They had often bullied other children and had 'special friends' but the two boys remained quite close through childhood until Geoffrey moved away.
Because of all this, Arthur began to feel slightly angry. Geoffrey was patronizing him and it almost seemed like Geoffrey was trying to assert dominance over Arthur.
"I can fill that role for you Arthur." Geoffrey was saying, still gripping Arthur's hand and gazing at him with pleading eyes. Arthur snorted slightly. Those pleading eyes only worked on him when Merlin did them.
Geoffrey stopped.
"I … appreciate your concerns, Geoffrey," Arthur began, staring at the man with an intense gaze. He didn't notice the way the man's eyes dilated or Geoffrey's throat swallowing. "But I do not appreciate the true reason you came here."
"Arthur?" Geoffrey asked.
Arthur swiftly removed his hand from Geoffrey's grip and grabbed the knight by the front of his shirt, yanking him forward. "You are trying to assert your dominance over me." Geoffrey shook his head. "Or are you trying to control me?" Arthur asked. "Our childhood is over Geoffrey. I am King and I know when someone is trying to control me. Do not patronize me."
The King released Geoffrey, and the knight gasped.
"Get out." Arthur ordered.
"If I am trying to control you then what is Merlin doing?" Geoffrey finally asked, his voice growing louder. "He has you answering to his every desire!" Geoffrey's eyes had watered slightly, and he left the room slamming the door behind him.
"Arthur?" A voice from the bed asked timidly.
Arthur's head snapped around and he quickly walked over to his manservant. "Merlin, I'm sorry for waking you up. What did you hear?"
"The door slam?" Merlin looked confused as he rubbed his eyes with a small fist. Arthur sighed in relief and smiled at his adorable manservant.
Walking down the halls of the castle, Geoffrey grinned to himself. His plan was put into motion.
