His Servant's Master

Chapter 7

Later that night, Arthur is in his chambers trying to read through the pile of documents at his desk, forcing himself to concentrate. He smiles involuntarily because can't stop thinking about Guinevere and their conversation earlier that afternoon. He is relieved that she forgave him for his stupidity, her love still true. Merlin was right this one time: he had behaved like a cabbage-head in telling her that their relationship was inappropriate. Agravaine was wrong in his advice on this matter. But he sighs in resignation when he looks at the stack of letters, writs, and reports all urgently requiring his attention that had accumulated while he was engaged with the dispute with Queen Annis of Carleon. It's going to be a long night. He focuses on the parchment in his hand, frowning with the effort.

Merlin tries to enter the room quietly, carrying a tray laden with food, but the dishes rattle a bit when he opens the door. He's relieved that Arthur doesn't look up at him to see the marks on his face from Cai's lash.

Without raising his head from the parchment he is reading, Arthur complains in an exasperated tone, "do you actually know how to knock, Merlin?"

"What? Yeah, sure," Merlin answers distractedly. "I've brought you something to eat. I thought you might be hungry after the late patrol tonight."

Arthur gestures with his free hand. "Put it on the table, I'll have it later." He picks up his quill and dips it into the inkwell to make a notation on the page.

"Arthur?" Merlin says. "I, erm . . . ." What can he tell Arthur now? He had started to speak before he knew what he was going to say. Goodbye, perhaps? Should he run? He couldn't kill the nobleman in cold blood, after all. With his secret revealed to Cai, it was only a matter of time before Arthur finds out the truth. Or Cai will somehow use this knowledge against him.

"What?" At Merlin's continued silence, he says with a dismissive wave, "you can go, Merlin." As Merlin turns to leave unable to say anything at all, there is a knock on the door.

Arthur sighs at yet another interruption, tossing the quill on the table in irritation. "Enter."

Merlin opens the door and Cai enters, brushing past him. Merlin had been poised to leave the room, but now stands near the door and waits, fearful about what Cai might say to Arthur.

Cai says, "May we speak, Your Majesty?"

"Yes, Cai. Of course. What is it?" Arthur raises his head to look at Cai, repeating to Merlin, "you can go."

"It's actually about your servant, Merlin."

Merlin steps forward. "No, Sir Cai. Please," he says softly.

"Shut up, Merlin," Cai says. He continues, "as you know, Arthur, my father and I plan to leave in the next few days. I would like to take Merlin with me as my servant. How much do you want to release him from your service?"

Arthur is dumbfounded, "Seriously? He's the worst servant in all the kingdoms."

"Nevertheless, he can be useful."

Arthur doesn't look at Merlin; he is focused on Cai, eyes narrowed, puzzled by his request. "He's not a slave. He can make his own choices if you offer him employment."

"Yes, and he will choose to go with me," Cai asserts, turning his head to look back at Merlin. "Won't you, Merlin? Come over here." He smirks as Merlin steps back into the room, avoiding his gaze. "Tell your King that you want to go with me," Cai orders. Merlin looks at the floor, in agony at the position he's been put in.

His eyes still on Cai, Arthur says to Merlin, "well, do you?"

Cai insists, "of course he does." He steps up close behind Merlin, taking hold of the back of his neck in a firm grip. "Tell him yes."

"Merlin?" Arthur turns toward Merlin and looks at him for the first time.

Cai drops his hand to Merlin's lower back possessively. Merlin startles and looks up at Arthur, pleading with his eyes, shaking his head slightly as he mouths a silent, "No," hoping that Arthur will see. The salt of his tears stings the lash marks on his face.

Arthur finally looks closely at Merlin. He turns to Cai, "we can discuss this tomorrow," Arthur says. "Merlin. I want to talk to you."

Cai smirks, "I'll want him later tonight. Before I go to bed." Cai runs his hand up Merlin's back, leaning in and saying, "come to my chambers when you have finished here." He turns to leave the room.

Merlin winces at Cai's gesture, but moves to hold the door for Cai, turning his back to Arthur. "Sire?"

"Turn around, and come over here into the light," Arthur orders sharply. Merlin complies and steps forward to the desk to face Arthur.

"What's this all about? Do you want to leave Camelot? And what happened to your face?"

"Nothing."

"Merlin, what is he doing to you?"

"Nothing."

"You don't really want to go with him, do you?"

Merlin shakes his head no. "Arthur, whatever happens, whatever Cai says, please know that I'm sorry. I'm so very sorry."

"What are you talking about? Merlin, you shouldn't push your friends away. You can talk to me."

"No, Arthur, I can't. Not this time."

Arthur sighs. "You can go, Merlin."

Merlin leaves the room, but he doesn't go to Cai's chambers as he had been ordered.

xXx

The next morning Merlin has to go to the armorer's shop in the lower town after he serves Arthur his breakfast. The day before, Cai had told him to pick up his armor that had been left for repair. Merlin, though relieved not to have to deal with Cai, is not happy about having to go clear across Camelot to pick up the armor for him. Before he leaves to get Arthur his breakfast, he and Gaius sit together over their own breakfast at the small table in the center of Gaius's rooms.

Merlin is pushing his spoon around in the bowl of porridge, staring at the tabletop. After a few minutes of silence, Gaius says, "are you all right, Merlin?"

Without looking up, Merlin answers, "Cai knows."

"Knows what, exactly?"

Merlin waves his hand in a circular motion. "He saw me, and he's threatening to tell Arthur."

"How? What happened?"

"He saw me." Merlin meets Gaius's eyes. "It was at the battle that Arthur fought with Queen Annis's champion. Someone had enchanted Arthur's sword. He couldn't lift it and he was losing the duel."

"Morgana?" Gaius asks.

"I don't know. I can only guess." Merlin takes a mouthful of porridge and swallows. "I had no choice. I had to meet magic with magic to protect Arthur."

"And Cai saw your magic then?"

"Yes, so he says. And another time, involuntarily." Merlin shudders. "He is always looking at me, touching me."

"Merlin, what is he doing to you? Did he do that to your face?"

"It doesn't matter. There's nothing I can do."

"You have to tell Arthur about him. He is dangerous."

"I tried before, but now it's too late. I can't now." Merlin pauses and shakes his head. "Cai offered to buy me from Arthur, like a slave. Arthur told him it was my decision. Bur if I refuse, he'll tell Arthur about my magic. I don't want to go with him, Gaius, but I'm afraid that I may not have any choice."

"Merlin," Gaius sighs. "You could run again. And hide."

"And then what? Cai will surely tell Arthur about me, and then they'll both come searching for me." Merlin shakes his head sadly. "Arthur would hate me for it, and Cai would surely try to make me pay." He pauses again. "Well, he didn't tell Arthur last night when he had the chance. Maybe he won't. I think he's playing a longer game." Merlin finishes his porridge. "I'd better get going. I have to go get Arthur's breakfast first. Then go to the armorer's shop to collect Sir Cai's armor."

xXx

"Are you going to tell me what's bothering you?" Arthur says, watching Merlin move stiffly about the room doing his chores, while slathering some jam on a hunk of bread from his breakfast tray. "You've been moping around the castle for days. What is the matter with you, Merlin?"

"Nothing."

Arthur huffs with exasperation. "Well, if you're not going to tell me, or cheer up, you can go. You're ruining my appetite."

"Sorry, but you could stand to miss a meal or two, you know," Merlin tries to grin. "I'm just doing my part."

Arthur points at the door. "Out."

Merlin goes.