Uther wakes from a satisfying sleep the following morning. The sunlight streams in through the window and welcomes him to another morning, and how beautiful it was. Grey eyes trail over the beautiful sleeping form next to him. Merlin was lying on his right side and was absolutely breath taking in his naked glory, Uther just can't resist to let his hand ghost over every curve of the boy's body and over every spot on his skin that was so openly displayed in front of him. That alabaster skin in stark contrast of hair as dark as night resting on the top of his head; lips as red as the sweetest berry and eyelashes so long and dark resting on those rosy coloured cheeks. Yes, it was be absolutely bliss to wake up at that sight and he knows that from that morning he's going to see it.

His eyes catch sight of the still bound hands and he reasons that it may have been a bit too cruel with those. But he just had to do it to satisfy his mind, he knows that Merlin would rather stay with Arthur than with him, but that was something that he couldn't let happen! Merlin is his and his alone and no one else was going to take him away ever again.

He knew what had been going on in his son's bedroom for the past months, and just thinking about it makes his jealousy rears its ugly head.

He once caught them in Arthur's chambers at night when he heard noises coming from within. There was just a small gap from where the door didn't entirely closed and the King couldn't help but peek in. He saw Merlin in Arthur's embrace and his son leaning forward to kiss him and pushing him gently towards the bed.

He wanted to interfere then, but he didn't since he thought that what Arthur did with Merlin was just a one-time thing and would blow over soon. Little did he know that the opposite was true and months went by.

He still wishes that he had done something about it that night. Because when the relationship between his son and Merlin only seemed to grow he became frustrated and he started to take servants into his room at night. Doing that, he tried to soothe the aching pain that he felt with every night that he wasn't with Merlin, and especially knowing where Merlin would be.

Merlin had been in Arthur's service for more than three years, but he had started to really notice Merlin at the celebration of Arthur's birth.

At first he tried to distract himself by choosing servants that resembled Merlin's features, but they just didn't do anything for him sexually and he left them close to being broken after he ravished them. Then after seven long, long, months he couldn't hide the urge for Arthur's manservant any longer and last night he was at his breaking point and ordered some guards to get Merlin into his room and tie him up tightly. He knows now that that was wrong of him, but lust had taken over his senses.

Uther bends forward to press a kiss on Merlin's naked shoulder and start to remise about the time he noticed those sea blue eyes. It was at the celebration of Arthur's birth. For years he had always thought of Merlin as a complete incompetence boy and at times he began to wonder why he even agreed with Gaius to give his nephew a position in the royal household.

During the feast his goblet was empty of wine and he beckoned the serving boy forward to top it off. Somehow he was mesmerized by those slender fingers curled around the jug and images about how those fingers would feel around him were filling his mind.

At first, he thought he was completely out of his mind by thinking these insolence things and shook his head. Doing that he didn't realise that was also shaking his goblet too. The contents of the jug slipped past it and splattered onto the ground. He was only pulled out of his thoughts when he heard the serving boy gasp and his son telling Merlin what an idiot he was. Only then he saw that Merlin crouched down on the ground, dabbing the spilled wine with his neckerchief that he pulled off of his neck. Merlin looked up to him through those thick black eyelashes and at that moment Uther had sold his soul to the devil. Those piercing blue eyes looking up to him made his manhood twist with want and his blood racing through his veins.

Then there was the exposed swan like neck and then he was fantasizing how he wanted to bite and mark it as being his property. He really didn't know where these feelings were coming from. Never before had he such thoughts came to him.

The King had to leave the celebrations before he would do something that he would regret and quickly bid the guests a good night and excused himself. He all but ran to his chamber and slumped down on his bed. His mind kept feeding him imaged of the raven haired serving boy and he wanted it to stop.

He declared himself mad and managed to push thoughts of the boy away for two month after the incident, but by the time the third month rolled by his feelings for the boy started to fire up again. Summer had started and the heat was swirling fast through Camelot like an eagle chasing its prey.

One day he was just staring out of the window, looking down onto the grounds surrounding the castle when suddenly his eyes caught sight of the black haired boy. He was at the river and was taking off his shirt, splashing water all around his torso in a desperate attempt to get rid of the sweat that clung to him.

The sight was making the tight feeling of the King's stomach curl up like a lazy fire blown to life again. He brought his hand inside his breeches and cupped the already half-hard member as he continued to watch how Merlin was splashing water on his face and through his hair. It made the King's hand go faster and faster with each movement that Merlin made and soon enough he spilled all the cum inside his hand. He hadn't experienced such satisfying orgasm in years and the only thing he needed for that was Merlin.

Since that day he was inviting Arthur more evenings to come and dine with him as he knew that Merlin would be following his master around everywhere he went, and at these moments he could be in the same room as Merlin without causing too much suspicion.

In the fifth month there was the case of his personal manservant being sick and out of all the people Merlin was being the one who would help the King with getting ready in the mornings and bringing him his food. After just two day that Merlin helped him with his daily matters he got another servant to fulfil those duties and sent Merlin away. Being so close to Merlin wasn't helping him and he almost lost control.

But now, seven months later, he finally had Merlin in his bed. It might not be with fully consent, he realises that now, but Uther knew that Merlin could develop love for him if he was just given the time, just like Ygraine once did.

His and Ygraine's marriage was arranged and love had nothing to do with it, but after spending time with each other their love bloomed and he was the happiest man alive. Until that awful day that she died in childbirth and all that she left behind was a void in his chest. But that void started to fill with Merlin's presence around him and he knew that Merlin was the one for him.

He even told Geoffrey of Monmouth yesterday that he was needed the following morning to perform a private binding ceremony. The man had raised an eyebrow at the request, but conceded no less. It was not like he could go against his King personal request. And thinking about that Uther knows that Geoffrey would be coming within the hour and so he needed to prepare him and Merlin for the ceremony.

He raised himself on releases the rope from his lover's wrist, which immediately fall down on the pillow with a small thud. Uther then snaked his arm towards the boy's manhood and cupped it in his hand. He watches Merlin as he began to softly stroke his cock and heard his love begin to mewl and moan by the physical contact. Uther smiled broadly when Merlin even jerked his hips forward, trying to grind hard against his hand.

Uther saw Merlin moving more and saw his eyes move beneath his eyelids and he knows Merlin was waking up. He doesn't stop his motions and even angled his hand to make better up and downward movements.

"Mmm… Arthur." Merlin moans and digs his head deeper in the pillow and continues to push his hips forward into the touch. But then the hand suddenly stops and Merlin slowly opens his eyes, which then widens when he sees who's next to him. Uther looks at him with dark eyes and his hands are on his arm and he's turned on his back. The King straddles him and he's trying to squirm away, but the King has him in a strong hold.

"M-my l-lord…"

The King narrows his eyes and brings his head closer to Merlin's. "Don't ever say that name again. You're mine."

"No." Merlin says but it's barely above a whisper. He is still trying to get free out of the King's clutches when he remembers the night before.

'From tomorrow on, you'll be my consort.'

Merlin wants to cry and scream but he finds that he can't actually make a sound. His shock is preventing him from doing anything.

The King bends down and starts to suck, kiss and bite his neck, he grabs Merlin's hands in his own and pins them above his head on the pillow.

"Please." Merlin still tries, but the word is unheard. A single tear escapes the corner of Merlin's left eye and trickles slowly down his cheek and onto the pillow. How will he ever get out of here? His only hope now is that Arthur is awake already and senses that something's wrong when he's not there to bring him his breakfast.

But he knows that is a very long shot.

"Merlin, just give into your feelings, it'll make things so much easier for us." The King whispers.

Merlin begin to sob uncontrollably. The last thing he wants is to become consort to Uther. The King stood against everything that he was. If Uther would find out about his magic than he would end up on the pyre before the day was over.

There was a knock on the door and Merlin felt hope rising in him that it would be Arthur, but instead a handful of servants walked in, politely bowing towards their King and trying to ignore Merlin being pinned under him. They quickly set down the plates filled with food, a large wooden tub and some clothes, before moving out again.

Merlin hoped they would get to Arthur. But then again, what would Arthur think of it? What if he thought that this is what he wanted? No, he had to tell Arthur that he'd been forced, that he didn't had a choice.

His attention is brought back to Uther when he says. "Today you'll become my consort Merlin."

Merlin frantically shakes his head and his legs kick out, but he was in a great disadvantage.

"Yes Merlin. And if you don't, I'll kill Arthur."

Merlin stills and looks at the King in disbelieve. "No." Merlin breathes out. The King couldn't mean it. Arthur was his son and heir, without Arthur the whole of Camelot was doomed. The King surely wouldn't kill Arthur, he loved Arthur. No, merlin reasoned, he wouldn't do that.

The King could see the disbelief in Merlin's eyes and yes it would be a drastic measurement, but he would do absolutely anything to get Merlin for himself. Even if it means the death of his son. Truth be told is that he had stopped thinking about Arthur as his son for a while now. Ever since he found out that Arthur was becoming more and more involved with his Merlin.

"Merlin, I'm going to do everything to get you for myself. You better not test me." The King warned in a low husky voice, making sure that Merlin knows that he means it.

Merlin falls silent for a moment, he was in shock and his mind went round and round. He figures that there were only two options; he either goes against the King but Arthur would then get killed and he still had to be with Uther. The second option was that he would agree with the King and by doing so sparing the life of his true love.

Both ways would mean for him that he still had to be with Uther, but only one of those two options would means that Arthur's life would be spared and that was all that Merlin cares for. He closes his eyes and sniffs softly. "Alright, I agree." Merlin finally breathes out and he could immediately feel the tight grip that Uther was holding his wrists in lessen and then he let them completely go.

The next things happened in a blur. The King insists they bathe together and afterwards he dresses him in the new clothes the servants brought in that morning. The fabric matched Arthur's and felt soft against his skin. The fit however was far more snug than he was used to and it made himself feel exposed.

Then Uther pulls him down on his lap and hand-feeds him some bread and cheeses. Merlin can't almost get a thing down his throat, his stomach is twisting and curling far too much and Uther had even the decency to snigger.

"I see you're just as excited as I am, but it won't be long now love."

Not even a minute after Uther had said it there's a knock and Geoffrey presenting himself. Uther's eyes light up and immediately stood up and opened the door for the man.

~oOoOo~

Arthur wakes up to a world of darkness. Figures, he thinks, Merlin is probably still sleeping. He just shakes his head with a smile and gets out of bed. He can't get, let alone stay, angry at his bumbly idiot. The poor thing was probably exhausted from running after him and Gaius all days of the week. Arthur can give him a day off today, he has nothing special to do after all.

Pulling the first shirt he can find over his head, he makes his way out of his chambers and towards Gaius' room. He notices how every servant was deliberately avoiding his gaze and Arthur slows his pace and looks around him, something was off. Very off.

In the distance he can make out Gwen's form. She was kneeling on the ground, cleaning the floor. But from where he stands it looks like she isn't paying attention to it, she was just automatically bringing the brush back and forth. Arthur goes to her and touches her shoulder and she jumps up.

"Sire!"

"Guinevere, what's wrong with everyone today?" Arthur asks and notices how Gwen keeps her gaze away from him.

He places both his hands on her shoulders and looks her deep in the eyes. "Please, tell me."

"I-I can't."

"Please!"

"It's Merlin." She chokes out, still able to keep her tears in but she is on the brink of letting them all out.

Arthur panicks. If something happened to Merlin, why wasn't he informed about it. "Please Guinevere, what has happened to Merlin?"

Gwen shakes her head. She already had said too much. The servants who brought the King his breakfast and other requirements, came back paled faced into the kitchen. They told the other servants what they had seen. Then some other servants provided that Geoffrey of Monmouth was being summoned into the King's royal chamber for that morning. It didn't take the servants long to put two and two together and felt horrible for their dear friend, but there was nothing they could do to help Merlin.

"Please Guinevere." Arthur tries again, and this time Gwen meets his gaze with teary eyes.

She bites he bottom lip a few time before she realizes that he needs to know and begins to tell him what she had heard this morning.

Arthur's shocked at what Gwen tells him. He just could not believe it. His father would never do that to him. He wouldn't, right?

Okay he might have noticed his father's gazes towards Merlin, but Arthur thought nothing from it. Arthur had seen more than once how his father had been glancing towards servant, but thinking back to it he remembers how there was still something different in the way he looked towards Merlin.

He finally reasons that what Guinevere is telling him must be true and he begins to run as quick as his legs can carry him towards his father's chambers.

Two guards are standing at the door and when he's about to open the door he is stopped.

"Sorry, Your Highness. The King forbade anyone to enter."

"Don't be ridiculous. I'm his son. Let me in."

"We can't." The other guard tells the Prince, but Arthur doesn't give up too easily. He starts to kick and fight the guards and manages to open the door. The guards put their hands up on his shoulders, trying to pull him back, but Arthur hardly feels them. He is too shocked about the sight in front of him. His lovers hands are tied together with his father's and Geoffrey standing before him.

Then the ultimate words are spoken. "You are now bound together."

Arthur stares a few more seconds at the bound hands before surging forward, freeing himself from the guards' grip.

"Arthur what is the meaning of this!" Uther yells, but his son doesn't seem to hear him. "Guards!" He shouts and three more guards enter the room and it takes all five of the guards to restrain the Prince.

"Merlin!" Arthur shouts as he's being grabbed by five guards and he sees Merlin crying.

"Take him away." Uther tells the guards. The he looks at Geoffrey and he's unlacing the binds and then moves out of the room. When his hands are free he embraces his new consort, kissing on him the hair. He doesn't say anything about the way Merlin is flinching away from him.

"Just stay here," Uther tells him. "I'll deal with this and then I'll be back."

"No please. Don't hurt him." Merlin cries.

"Don't you worry about that, Merlin." Uther pulls away, but before Merlin can follow him out of the room the door already closes and he can hear the click of the lock.

Merlin slams his hand against the closed door. "No! Let me out!" He kicks and slams the door a few more times, but when he figures out it's useless he lets himself slum down on the floor, head on his knees and his eyes are wet with new tears.

That's how Uther finds him some time later, and Merlin refuses to look at him. The King dismisses that though, he knows that Merlin will need time to adjust to his new place.

The King pours in some wine. "There's nothing you can do, Merlin. The sooner you adjust, the better it will be for both of us."