Chapter 11: Their Car Ride, His Invitation

Summary:

Merlin gets fondled in the car and Gwaine gains a knighthood

The ball begins and an important guest arrives.

Notes:

Hello my lovelies. I'm back again. and have gained myself a lovely beta for my Merlin stories, andthenindreaming. She has been most helpful with her brilliant feedback and even better at correcting my spelling and grammar mistake that you all know I'm terrible for :D

I hope you all enjoy this chapter. There should be another one on the way quite as soon as it can be grammar checked ;) Thanks for all of your lovely kudos and please don't forget to feed the dragon!

TinyDragonRoar!

The car rumbling beneath them and the click of Uther's expensive watch were the only sounds that filled the tense atmosphere of the fancy cars they rode in. Ssilence reigained as Merlin stared out the window.

Arthur continued to frown at his father, not understanding what hehis father was up to. He was never this nice, especially to a commoner. He offered Merlinhim a ride for god's sake. He never lets anyone in his car – it was, it's one of his pride and joys – and and who was Balinor anyway? How was he so important to his father?

It didn't make any sense. Arthur was so confused.

Suddenly, Uther started to talk.

"So, Merlin, how long have you been practising magic?," he questioned, looking at Merlin's face, still staring out the window.

Looking away from the window towards his lap, Merlin glanced at the king nervously. "I was born this way. I've always been practiscing magic from the day I was born," Merlin answeredd, continuing to stare at his lap. still looking at his lap..

Uther raised his eyebrows, surprised. He had never heard of such a thing. It was impossible. This boy must be tremendously powerful. Smiling, Uther leaned towards Merlin, getting uncomfortably close. "Wow, I've never heard of such a thing. How do you learn spells then?" Uther questioned wanting to know more about this beautifully incredibly powerful boy.

Shocked, Arthur butted in. "That's not possible. No one is just born with magic. You must have learnt somehow?" Arthur said, also leaning forwards towards Merlin.

"Arthur, don't interrupt. It's rude," Uther, said sternly, glaring at his son. He didn't want Arthur getting in the way when he was trying to question Merlin.

Shrinking in on himself, feeling quite a bit nervous, Merlin bit his lip, not liking being the object of such rapt attention. Noticing the plump lip between the boy's teeth Uther moved closer still, and placed a hand on the boy's thigh.

"No need to look so nervous, boy. I'm not going to hurt you," Uther murmuredsaid, leaning close to Merlin's ear. The boy smelled divineg and Uther could feel the muscle of the boy his thigh under his hands. It felt warm and tight and he couldn't help but imagine them wrapped around his waist as he thrust into the boy's wonderfully tight heat.

Shivering at Uther's closeness, Merlin tried to answer his previous question to distract Uther from his uncomfortable touching.

"Well-l-l-l, you see your hi-i-i-ighness, some spells just come naturally and I just know them. And other need a bit mor-r-re practicse. Most of the time I-I-I don't really need-d spells as I-I can do quite a bit wit-t-thout them-m-m-m," Merlin answered quickly, hoping the kingd didn't notice the way his voice wasof shaking.

His eyes widening, Uther couldn't believe what he was hearing. This boy was powerful and he would be his. Owned by him and him alone as his court sorcerer by day and his bed warmer by night.

Noticing Merlin's shiver and the shake in his voice, Arthur attempted to distract his father as well as i. It didn't sit right with him how Utherhe was touching Merlin; t. The boy was obviously uncomfortable and didn't want to be touchedfondled. He didn't understand why his father couldn't see that.

"Father, as Merlin doesn't have any clothes for the ball, why don't we send the royal tailor to his lodgings to set him up with an appropriate outfit for tonight's festivities," Arthur said, hopping to gain his father's attention from feeling up Merlin.

Glancing at his son, Uther leaned back away from Merlin. "That sounds wonderful, what a fabulous idea son," Uther said, smiling at his son.," Uther said, smiling at his son." He smiled..

"As soon as we get back to the palace, I'll send for him to fit Merlin up with finest outfit that willth show that gorgeous body under those rags he is calling clothes."

Looking taken back by that, Merlin didn't want to go back to the palace just yet. He needed to time to think and get away from the creepy king for a while.

"You see your highness, as wonderful as that sounds, I must be getting back to my rooms as my friends will be looking for me," Merlin replied, hoping the kingd would let him go back home before the ball. He really didn't want to spend more time the royal duo than he needed. absolutely necessary.

Uther staredStaring intently at Merlin, considering his request. Maybe it would be best to let the boy go and plan for his return, instead of having to watch him. He could always send his lackey to keep an eye on him, make sure he's didoesn't try and avoid the party tonight.

"Well, I guess I could do without your lovely company for a few hours while you get all dolled up for me," Uther answered with leer on his face. Arthur frowned at his father's wording, wondering what he was up to as he had a look in his eyes that said he had big plans and Arthur didn't like the ominous feeling it gave him.

"Okay then father, we'll just drop Merlin off and then send the tailor to his hotel in, say, an hour," Arthur said, looking at both Merlin and his father for conformation. "Then we can send a car to pick you up at 5 to get ready for the ball."

Looking back at Arthur, Merlin smiled in thanks for the reprieve from the king.

"That sounds good to me. Where is your hotel, lovely?" Uther asked, leering at Merlin, his hand returning to Merlin's thigh, this time closer to his groin.

Shuddering at the touch, Merlin blushed, hating it. "It is just on the main street. It's called The Rising Sun."," Merlin replied.

"You're staying at thate dump?" Arthur asked, dismayed. "Theat place is trash, full of drunks and heathens. No wonder you're being harassed!. You can't possibly be planning on continuing your stay there?" Arthur questioned, incredulously.

"Well, we can't allow you to continue to stay there. It is no place for a beauty such as yourself," Uther said, agreeing with Arthur. This development wouldill work in his favour. He couldan have the boy close to make him his.

"Your highness I am perfectly happy where I'm staying and don't need-" Merlin began, trying to defend his choice of accommodation.

"Nonsense, you will be staying with us. It is the least I canould do,," Uther, interrupteding Merlin, as he would no doubt he would try and squirm his way out of staying with them.

Sighning Merlin, looked towards the king. "If you feel it is best, Your Highness," Merlin replied." Suddenly Gwaine popped into his head. What should I do? Merlin considered, an idea forming inI his head.

Smiling sweetly at the king, Merlin prepared his question, the lie forming. "Your highness, I thank you very much for your kindness. I have just a small request regarding my stay in the palace."

Bewitched by the pure pure innocence of that smile, the king would suddenly do anything this beauty man asked. "Of course, sweet. Ask away and it is yours.," The king replied, smiling kindly at the boy.

"You see, my lord. My loyal knight Sir Gwaine, who protected me onf my journey to Camelot, who has sworn to remain with me through thick and thin, would also need to stay with me at the palace. Would this be possible, My Lord?," Merlin asked, hoping his plan worked. He was desperatehoped for the protection of Gwaine, no matter how slight.

"Your knight will have a room connected to yours, darling," Uther said, smiling kindly at Merlin, still smitten by Merlin's sweet face by Merlin's sweet face. "Although there will be no threat to you in the palace, my sweet. You will be well protected. I will let no harm come to you during your stay."

"I understand that, Yyour Hhighness, but he has always been with me and I would feel better if he stayed with me.,"

"Of course," Uther said, wanting Merlin to be happy.

Arthur frowned at Merlin, knowing this was a lie. Gwaine was that peasant boy he was playing with in the forest. He didn't understand why Merlin was lying. Arthur thought about saying something to his father but quickly decided against it, not wanting Merlin to get in trouble. He would find out what Merlin was up to.

Looking towards Arthur, Merlin could see he knew he was lying and would have to explain later but for now he was safe. Looking back at the king, Merlin smiled again. "Thank you very much, Yyour Hhighness, you are most kind."

"You're very welcome darling darling," Uther replied as the car came to a stop. "It appears we have reached your stop.," Uther said said, squeezingeding Merlin's thigh.

Opening the door, Merlin prepared to get out of the car when he was pulled back by a hand grabbing his. Looking back Merlin frowned at the king, who was gripping his hand.

"Just a second, Merlin," Uther said. Turing back to face Uther Merlin frowned questioningly. "It has been a pleasure meeting you Merlin and I look forward to seeing you again tonight, all dressed up in clothes that will be fit for royalty. Just as you deserve," Uther said lifting Merlin's hand to press a kiss to the back of it.

"Until tonight, little warlock," Uther said, releasing Merlin's hand.

Blushing, Merlin rose to exit the car, this time getting out without an issue.

Closing the door behind him, Merlin took a deep breath, glad to be out of that suffocating car. Turning back to say goodbye as he heard the window going down, Merlin readied a smile, however it dropped as soon as he saw who it was.

"Looks like you we're wrong, Mer-rlin, we will be seeing so mucha lot of each other," Arthur said smirking in Merlin's direction through the window of the car.

Glaring back, Merlin huffed, "Well then sweetness, I'll be seeing you shortly," Uther said, cutting off whatever retort Merlin was planning on scoffing in
Arthur's direction.

"Yes, Your Highness, and thank you for the ride," Merlin said, smiling at the king, wanting to leave as quickly as he could.

"You're very welcome darling, see you tonight," the king said, driving away from Merlin, smirking at his son, looking forward to the night ahead.

Entering the dark hotel atrium, Merlin sighed in relief, glad to be back and away from the royal duo. Walking across the room toward his room Merlin was happy be back even if he could feel the eyes of everyone in the room watching him as he made his way to the lift.

Finally making it back to his room, Merlin collapsed back against the door as he closed it behind him. Once again feeling safe, heMerlin let his head rest against the door, closing his eyes.

"Why hello there, beautiful. Have a stressful day?" Merlin jumped at the voice coming from the left of him. Straightening up, Merlin looked towards the voice, recognising its deep tone. Smiling towards the bathroom, Merlin was once again reminded how safe he felt with the manhim around. It was a A feeling he was definitely not used to when it came to men.

"It most definitely has been, Gwaine," Merlin replied, smiling at the gruff- looking man. "I have so much to tell you."

"Well, then love, why don't you come sit with Gwaine and tell me all about it?," Gwaine said, sittingsat down in one of the chairs by the table, pushing the seat opposite him out for Merlin to sit on.

Walking forward, Merlin sat down and told Gwaine all about his encounter with the king and the prince, the demand disguised as a request to stay in the palace and the ball tonight he was to attend, as well as the journey back to the hotel.

Shocked into silence, Gwaine stared at Merlin, amazed by his revelation.

"Wow, Merlin," Gwaine said, shaking himself out of the stupor he was in. "You don't half get yourself into trouble do you, love."

"I'm like a magnet for trouble, I know," Merlin said, giggling at the truth of it. "And there one more thing," Merlin addedsaid, guiltily, knowing he had to break the news about his lie to the king.

"What did you do now, Merlin?," Gwaine asked, feeling a bit worried.

"Well you see, Uther was making me move into the palace and I didn't want to just leave you behind. It didn't seem right to just up and leave. So, I sort of said you we're my knight and he said you were to stay with me in the palace. But I completely understand if you don't want to.," Merlin said lookeding at the ground, scuffing his boots against the floor, feeling nervous all of a sudden.

Looking at Merlin's nervous face, Gwaine made a snap decision.

"Well, I'd be honoured to be your knight, my friend. Who else will protect you from kings and royal prats?. Plus, I get to live in a palace. I bet they have some fantastic mead," Gwaine said, smirkeding. "Well aren't you gonna knight me, my lord?," Gwaine asked, bowing to Merlin, smirking.

"Why of course dear knight," Merlin replied, laughing at Gwaine mockery of a knighting. Standing up, Merlin grabbed a baguette from the food spread out on the table. "Gwaine, son of the wild lands, bow before me so I may knight you.,"

Laughing, Gwaine bowed before Merlin, enjoying himself in this little skit.

"Gwaine, my most loyal friend, I am honoured to make you my knight, whom I promise strength and friendship to from this day forward," Merlin said, r. Raising the baguette and tapping each of Gwaine's shoulders. "You may rise, Sir Gwaine, Knight of Avalon."

Standing up, Gwaine smiled at Merlin, loving his new title.

"Thank you, Merlin. I promise to protect you in the castle. No dirty king will get his hand on your while I'm around..," Gwaine smiled at Merlin angelic said, smiling down at Merlin angelic face.

Suddenly, the door to their room burst open and in walked a smartly dressed man with slicked back salt- and- pepper hair and a black beard, carrying a leather brown bag, followed by a lithe young man with black hair and pale skin, entered the room.

"Well, isn't this lovely," the older man said, sneering at the room, used to luxury, not this squalor. "You must be the young man I'm here to suit up."

Shocked Merlin, nodded dazedly, not understanding what they two men were doing here.

"Just hold on one minute," Gwaine said, sStepping in between Merlin and the two strangers. "Who are you and what are you doing here?"
HhHe questioned, needing to know so he could assess if they were a threat or not.

"You mean he isn't Merlin?" the older man asked.

"I am Merlin," Merlin said, stepping round Gwaine to face the duo.

"Well then, I am here to dress you for the tonight's ball. Now I need to get started so if you could please stop dawdling and let me measure you," the older man answeredreplied. "My name is Geoffrey, now come on enough of this silliness, we don't have much time to get you sorted for tonight's event."

Nodding once again, Merlin walked toward the older man as he placed his bag on the table and started to remove his equipment.

"Now child, just stand there and I'll take all your measurements and be on my way," Geoffrey said, holding his measuring tape.

Merlin stopped in front of Geoffrey and he began his work, starting with Merlin's arms.

Gwaine watched as the older man measureds Merlin. Glancing to the side Gwaine looked towards the other person that had entered with Geoffrey. He had been silentce so far, watching Merlin intently.

"And you?" Gwaine asked, looking at the younger man. "Who are you?"

The younger man turned looked towards Gwaine, blue eyes staring at him intently.

"I am Mordred," hHe answered, continuing to lookstare at Gwaine.

"And Mordred, why, may I ask, are you here?," Gwaine questioned, narroweding his eyes at the young man, not trusting him.

Narrowing his eyes as well Mordred sighed, straightening from where he had been leaning against the wall next to the main door. "I am but a loyal servant to our king, here to make sure Merlin is happy," heMordred replied.

"You're here for me?" Merlin questioned from his position across the room as Geoffrey crouched down tohe get his leg measurements.

"Yes," was Mordred's simple reply.

Merlin continued to stare at Mordred as he stared back at Merlin. The look in his eyes unnerved the warlockMerlin. It was like Mordred was looking into his soul and was disgusted by what he saw. It made him feel nervous, like he was being dissected.

Looking away, Merlin fidgeted as the tailor ran his measuring tape on the inside of his thigh to do his inseam. This man was touching him in a strange way. It was seriously making him seriously uncomfortable.

Geoffrey glanced up at the boy he was measuring. He saw how utterly attractive the young man was, oh how he would love to see the boy under him. He knew that if he did anything though the king would have his head. Literally. But he couldn't help but linger as he measured the boy inseam, fingers brushing against the firm muscle of his inner thigh.

"I think you're done with that measurement, don't you?," Gwaine growledsaid, suddenly very close to the tailor. Looking up, Geoffrey blushed guilty, standing backaway from Merlin.

"Right you are," Geoffrey said, turning away to walk back towards his bag. "Well, Sir, your measurements are all done and your outfit done to the king's specification will be ready for you upon your arrival at the palace this evening," Geoffrey said, as he closed his bag, picking it up from the table and turning to face Merlin. "Good day then, gentlemen."

Then he made his way towards the door and left the room.

Mordred looked at Merlin again, s. Staring at him for a minute before following Geoffrey through the door. At the last momentinute, he turned back and faced Merlin. "I'll be seeing you again very soon, Merlin. Try not to be late. Wouldn't want to make the king angry, would you?" he replied smirking at Merlin, before leaving with the tailor.

Silence reigned through the room as Merlin stared at the door way, thoroughly freaked out by Mordred's final words.

"I don't like that guy," Gwaine said, breaking the silence.

"I know what you mean," Merlin repliedsaid. "Kind of gives me the creeps with that stare of his. Felt like he was looking into me, analysing me." He sShuddered as if he could still feell those eyes looking at him.

"Yeah, creepy," Gwaine said, meeting his gaze. looking back at Merlin.

TO BE CONTINUED!