Merlin woke up when he was being pulled out of his bed. He hit the floor and he groaned in pain, "What in the name of Excalibur?" he then looked up and he saw that Arthur was stood there with his arms crossed "Hi, Arthur. Did you sleep well?"

"You're late for work" Arthur stated.

Merlin winced as he stood up "Sorry. I had a long day yesterday and I didn't sleep well" he then started to get dressed.

Arthur saw the bruise on Merlin's stomach and then he saw the bruises on Merlin's back "Who did that to you?"

"Do you remember mace training yesterday? You and your uncle had fun beating me up" Merlin said as he pulled his boots on.

"It looks painful" Arthur winced.

"It's is. But I've had worse" Merlin shrugged.

Arthur grabbed Merlin's hips and he pulled the warlock close "Forgive me?"

"It's always forgive you" Merlin smiled as he held onto Arthur's upper arms.

Arthur kissed Merlin and then he looked at the warlock "Let's keep it that way".

"Agreed" Merlin smiled he then hugged Arthur and the prince rubbed his back.

Arthur leaned in and he kissed Merlin "I'll make it up to you".

Merlin smirked "I'll hold you to that"

Arthur and Merlin then walked to the throne room, for the council meeting with Uther and the visiting lords and king Bayard. Arthur sat down at the end of the table, whilst Merlin stood next to the wall as he waited for his orders.

"If a peace treaty is called I request that something is offered in return" Bayard stated.

"Name it" Uther ordered.

Bayard pointed at Merlin "The boy. Merlin".

Merlin looked up and the words disappeared off of his tongue.

"What do you want my servant for?" Arthur asked without emotion. However he was worried about Bayard's request.

"I was humiliated because of him last time a treaty was called. Perhaps a day being stoned would suffice?" Bayard suggested.

Merlin gulped but he did not say anything.

"No way. Merlin, saved my life that day and I will not stand by as he is unnecessarily punished" Arthur firmly said.

"Then don't look" Uther looked at Arthur and then at Bayard. "Do what you want with the servant".

"Father, that could kill Merlin!" Arthur exclaimed as two of Bayard's guards grabbed Merlin.

"Servant's can be replaced" Uther coldly said.

Before he knew how to react, Merlin was taken out into the courtyard and his wrists were chained above his head; this forced him to stand up and his breathing hitched, as Bayard's guards picked up some rocks to throw at him.

Merlin closed his eyes tightly and he turned his head to the side, before the guards started to throw rocks at him. He kept his lips firmly together and he tried not to show that he was in pain. He connected his mind with Arthur's and he started to talk to him through telepathy 'This was not fair'.

'Are you okay?' Arthur asked.

'No. I'd prefer the stocks' Merlin answered.

'I'll make it up to you' Arthur promised.

'You better' Merlin said before he disconnected their minds.

After being pelted by stones for ages, Merlin was released and he slowly made his way up to Arthur's chambers. He opened the door to the prince's room, and he almost collapsed when he walked in.

Arthur held Merlin up and he kicked the door closed, "Merlin?" he asked.

"My head hurts" Merlin winced into Arthur's chest.

Arthur picked Merlin up and he carried him bridal style over to the bed. He laid the servant down and then he saw the injuries that Merlin had "I wish that I could have done something".

Merlin winced "There was nothing that you could have done to prevent me from being stoned. At least there is peace between the kingdoms now" he sighed.

Arthur leaned down and he kissed Merlin "Show me some magic".

Merlin lifted his hand and he looked at it. His eyes flashed gold before a small golden dragon appeared in his hand.

Arthur smiled and he sat next to Merlin "You can have a day off today".

Merlin looked at Arthur "Are you sure?"

"Yes. But I will be requiring you to be here once everyone is asleep" Arthur smiled.

Merlin smiled and they went back to watching the golden dragon. Merlin moved so that he was lying against Arthur and the prince held him close, the warlock made it so that the magical dragon started to fly around the room and they watched it for a while. Before long the time came for Arthur to go and have dinner with Uther and the visiting lords. Merlin walked back to his chambers to have dinner and to assist Guias in anything.

"You look horrible" Guias sat down opposite Merlin as the boy ate dinner.

"I feel horrible." Merlin admitted.

Guias put a small cup in front of Merlin "Drink this. It will help with the pain".

Merlin picked up the cup and he drank it's contents "Thanks."

"How is Arthur?" Guias asked.

"He's alright. He wasn't happy that Uther allowed Bayard's guards to stone me" Merlin answered.

"Neither was I never mind Leon, Percival, Gwaine, Lancelot or Elyan" Guise informed.

"Could have been worse. Arthur could have been disgusted at the sight of me" Merlin shrugged.

"He really cares for you. He wants to look after you" Guias mailed.

"And I care a lot for him." Merlin smiled.

"I need you to deliver something to Mr Martlyne. And then you can go and see Arthur" Guias put a small bottle in front of Merlin. "Tell him NOT to drink all of it. One sip a day only".

Merlin chuckled "Alright" he then finished off his dinner before he picked up Mr Martlyne's medicine and he went to the village to deliver it. Once he had delivered the medicine and told Mr Martlyne NOT to drink all of it, he walked back to the palace and he crept to Arthur's chambers. He opened the door and he locked the door behind him straight away, he then soundproofed the room before he turned to Arthur.

Arthur walked over to Merlin "You alright?"

"Never better" Merlin smirked before he kissed Arthur and he wrapped his arms around Arthur's neck.

Arthur kissed Merlin back and he picked him up. "You're a sight for sore eyes" he said into his kiss with Merlin. He then carried Merlin over to the bed and he put Merlin down.

Merlin laid down and Arthur leaned over him "I need your healing touch".

Arthur started to kiss Merlin, and he smoothed his hand under Merlin's shirt to caress his skin.

Merlin held in moans when Arthur moved to kiss his neck "That feels so good".

Arthur felt Merlin's hips buck and grind against his hips. He slid his arm under Merlin's back and he lifted the warlock up slightly "I told you that I would make today up to you".