The next morning Arthur was up at first light. But even then he did not get to the training grounds. As George helped him dress the manservant said "The King has asked you see him before you train this morning Sire."
Arthur glared at the poor man "Did he say why?"
"No Sire, his manservant pasted the message. He wants you to join him for breakfast."
Arthur stormed to his father chambers, there seemed to be no reason for the request that Arthur could see and after an almost silent breakfast his mood was not improved as he headed to the balcony to watch the execution with his father. He stood in grim silence as his father told the populace that the selections would start that day and that the Alpha's were to arrive at the den in the time slots allocated. He then announced "Your Crown Prince has at last found his Omega and this brings me great joy, for now the Kingdom can look forward to heirs." Looking round the crowd he saw what he was looking for and continued his facial expression showing his satisfaction
"The feast to celebrate the new bonds will take place one week today. At the same time we will give thanks for the success we have had in our fight to drive sorcery from this land. For those of you, who like me, can remember those bad times, we can take comfort in knowing we are winning. You will all now witness the execution of yet another sorcerer caught within Camelot, his sentence is death at the pyre, the only safe way to destroy such evil."
As Uther spoke a man was brought out and tied to the steak in the middle of a pyre that had been built overnight. Once he was secured and the guards had moved back Uther signalled for the touch to be thrown on the pyre. As the man began to scream in agony. Arthur averted his gaze he wished he could do something for the poor soul. What he saw as he glanced across the square made his blood run cold. There at the edge of the crowd was the Matriarch together with Merlin, Merlin was being supported by the beta knights as he stared in horror at the site in front of him. Arthur went to move but his father caught his arm.
"He will watch! Let him know the laws of our Kingdom and the consequences of breaking them" the King snarled
"You planned this!" Arthur said in revulsion at his father's actions "He is already suffering from his bad treatment! Yet you traumatised him even more" He knew if he had already fully bonded with Merlin nothing would have stopped him from going to Merlin, even if he had had to kill his own father. Even with a tenuous connection with Merlin he was finding it hard not to throw his father off and run to the omega.
"I did plan this yes, if he has any magic he needs to know his fate, and he will watch until the end. The Matriarch has her orders and you will stay here unless you want him to have further lessons in our ways."
Arthur looked down at his soul mate and tried to send his support through their fragile link. In that moment he had never hated his father more. But he knew if he moved Merlin would suffer more.
When Merlin and his group had set out, Merlin was pleased to get outside, even if it was for only the short walk across the square. But they had only just left the door and taken a few steps when Uther appeared on the balcony to a fanfare of trumpets. The Matriarch stopped Merlin "We must stop until the King has spoken. Listen well" she smirked, still disappointed that her granddaughter hadn't been selected by the Prince.
Merlin listened and smiled as he saw Arthur beside his father. Pulling the cape closer to keep of the morning chill. He continued to listen, thankful for the extra time outside. Then he listened in dawning horror at what the King said. He was sure the King was looking directly at him. Did he know Merlin's secret? Would he be next? Then as the Pyre went up and the man started to scream and the smell of burning flesh reached him Merlin began to buckle at the knees. The two beta knights supported him. They had been giving clear instructions not to let Merlin move on until the King gave the signal. Merlin watched, unable to stop himself until darkness took him and he collapsed into the arms of the beta's, who then at the King's signal supported Merlin and took him into the castle and away from the horrors of the courtyard.
As he saw Merlin sag down Arthur pulled his arm away from his father and ran to join Merlin. Reaching the group as they travelled the corridors Arthur took Merlin bridal style into his arms and shouted at one of the beta knights "Go and get the Court Physician." Then he glared at the Omega matriarch "Don't think I will forgive you for this"
Going into his rooms he took his now unconscious omega into a side door and on the bed. He sat on the bed at Merlin's side and pulled Merlin into his arms hoping it would give the fifteen year old some comfort. He would have lay them on his own bed, but wanted the extra distance from the outside world in case the King entered. This was the room that Merlin was supposed to occupy and it would also be quieter for the youngster to recover in, Arthur could always stay with him here, the bed was as big as his.
Gaius soon arrived he had heard what had happened, he himself was excused having to watch the executions due to his advanced age, but he always knew when they were to take place. The Court Physician looked at the Prince. "Why did you allow this? You knew he was already suffering from stress"
Arthur glowered at Gaius "Do you think I would have allowed it if I knew? This was the Kings doing!" Looking at the young man in his arms he asked "Will he be alright?"
"If you could put him down Sire I will check him over" Gaius told the Prince. Arthur refused to leave the room. So after Gaius had checked Merlin over he turned to the alpha "Can you assist me in removing his clothing so I can check his other injuries, and do you have sleeping clothes for him?"
Arthur got the sleeping clothes out of Merlin's bag. "We have these, I have yet to get new made." Arthur helped remove Merlin's clothing as he did his breaths became more laboured and even as a beta Gaius could sense the pheromones Arthur was emitting.
"Calm yourself, Sire or you must leave" the physician told him
Arthur struggled to control his anger. It was the first time he had seen Merlin's bruising and scratch marks from the alphas attack. Gaius looked at the Prince "They are worse than they appear, it is the emotional side which is causing the most problem. They are not infected." With that Gaius covered Merlin with the loose sleeping clothes and pulled the covers over Merlin.
"I will ask Gwen to sit with him" Gaius said to Arthur "You must not anger your father further Sire, I believe you have training. Your omega will need careful handling for a time to help make him feel safe. Hopefully by his first heat he will have put this behind him"
Arthur nodded "I will arrange for Morgana to visit him later" he took a deep breath "You are right I do need to go to training." He bent and kissed Merlin's forehead. "I am surprised at how protective I am feeling, after all we are not bonded yet."
"My boy you are soul mates, the bond is already forming. If you think you are protective now wait until afterwards. You will both be able to sense each other even if you are miles apart. Just be careful Merlin is independent for an omega don't stifle him"
"I will never do anything to hurt him Gaius, it is strange I never thought I would feel this about anyone, let alone a scrawny male omega"
Gaius put his hand on Arthur's arm. "You must learn hide your feelings Arthur, if your father the King realises how deeply you two are connected it will make life difficult and not just for you"
Arthur nodded "I must get going, much as I hate it. Can you arrange for Gwen? Apologise to Morgana for me for stealing her."
"Of course"
When Merlin woke he found himself in a large room with a window overlooking the square. The room was to Merlin nicely furnished, in the centre was the large four poster bed where he was lying, the rest of the room contained a table and two chairs set under the window. A cabinet and a chest stood to one side. It was then he noticed a beta woman sat at his side. She was a few years older than himself and very pretty.
Smiling at Merlin she introduced herself "Hello my name in Gwen I am the Princess Morgana's ladies maid. The Prince asked me to sit with you."
"Hello, what happened and where am I?" Merlin asked sitting up.
"This is your room, when you have children the door to right leads to the nursery. You collapsed as you saw the execution, I'm not surprised I hate them but the King makes us all go" the maid explained
Merlin paled as he remembered. Then once more he looked round what would effectively be his prison from now on. "It is bigger than my Mother's house but I will miss going outside" he looked at Gwen a tear in his eye "Must I say in this room forever?"
Gwen looked at the youngster and felt sorry for him having to lead this life. She was glad she was a beta. "I'm sorry, it is not how I think omegas should live, but it is the law. You will be well cared for, the Prince is a good man. He said he will allow his sister, my Mistress, to visit sometimes."
"Will you visit me?" Merlin asked trying hard not to allow his emotions to get the better of him. But his omega side was making it difficult, he didn't want this life and to almost beg for attention hurt his pride.
Gwen smiled at the teenager "As often as I can." She stepped forward and took Merlin into his arms. "I'm sorry Sire you must find it difficult. Try to settle, trust me it won't be as bad as you think once you get used to it. Now rest food will be brought to you shortly."
Merlin looked at the maid and blushed "Please don't call me Sire. I am Merlin"
"As the Crown Prince's omega I will call you whatever the Prince says. He has not told me yet. I am sorry I hugged you" Gwen stuttered "I really shouldn't have, but you looked so sad"
Merlin gave Gwen a weak smile "Thank you it was nice I hope we can be friends."
The couple sat and chatted. Half an hour later Merlin saw a beta about the same age as the Prince enter the room carrying in a tray. "Omega, I am George Prince Arthur's manservant I have bought the food the Court Physician has requested for you. A seamstress will visit later to measure you for clothes. For the moment all your meals will be brought to you by myself. Your rooms will be cleaned and your fire lit by a different servant until the Prince decides the final arrangements." George looked at Merlin sternly ignoring Gwen completely "I am to report to the Prince the quantity of food eaten. I am informed you need to gain weight."
George had been offended when he was ordered to help look after the Princes Omega. After all everyone knew omegas were the lowest of the low. But as a good servant he did as his Prince ordered but that didn't mean he liked it. To make things worse the cook seemed to think that the 'poor omega' should be spoilt. But he knew his duty and did it, but hoped it would be a short term measure. He really had enough to do. George set the food out at the table "Eat it while it is hot"
Merlin glared at the man "Who do you think you are my mother?" he snarled.
"If I had been you would be more aware of your station." The manservant looked at Merlin thinly disguised dislike. "You should be grateful the Prince is a fine man and a good master. Others wouldn't have cared for your comfort. Your food is of the same quality the Prince himself has"
"This is still a prison" Merlin said getting up and looking at the food. There was a bowl of broth that Merlin agreed smelled delicious and the bread with it was clearly freshly baked. But he really wasn't hungry.
George looked offended "This is a fine room and far better than most of your sort live in. You seem to forget you are an omega not a freeman. I will be back shortly to collect your dishes."
Gwen spoke for the first time "George! I do not believe the Prince would be happy with your tone, Merlin is his omega and therefore has some status, not only that but he is a human being"
George looked at Gwen in shock "I realise you work for the Princess, who although an omega is a born Royal. But I fear you are over stepping your boundaries"
"George I suggest you take care until the Prince had spoken to you, it may well be you that has overstepped your boundaries" Gwen suggested.
"Please do not argue over me please, thank you for the food George" Merlin said meekly all trace of his earlier outspokenness gone.
George glared at both of them and with that he walked out.
