Merlin's pregnancy was just beginning into its sixth month when King Uther announced that King Sarrum of Amata was arriving to negotiate a new treaty with Camelot. He would be there in a week and stay for at least two weeks. All of a sudden the castle was heaving as servants rushed to prepare for the King's arrival. Arthur warned the blood guard that Sarrum was well known to hold even stronger views on magic than Uther! So much so that in Amata omegas were considered lower than beta's and kept as broodmares by the alphas, who tended to have wives from the nobles who were not omegas but betas.
Arthur wanted Merlin to be kept well away from the Amata retinue. Unfortunately Uther insisted that Merlin be at the welcoming feast, as the Crown Prince's spouse it would be an insult if he weren't there. Morgana and the other noble omegas would also be expected to attend.
When Sarrum arrived he was greeted by the entire royal family. Arthur was by Uther's side which meant Merlin was also at the front on the other side was Morgana and Leon. Morgana had met Sarrum before so know what to expect. As the visiting King dismounted and walked towards Uther, Merlin could immediately sense what sort of man he was, he not only looked cruel, but he gave off an aura that Merlin at once recognised as being sadistic and unwilling to bend. His retinue consisted of slaves, something else that was illegal in Camelot but that Sarrum was in favour of. They looked ill-treated and terrified. Uther and Sarrum hugged each other as if they were brothers as Uther welcome Sarrum to Camelot.
"Welcome to Camelot Sarrum, we look forward to your company it's been to long" Uther turned and introduced his family "You'll remember my son Crown Prince Arthur now bonded to Prince Merlin and Princess Morgana and her husband Sir Leon"
With Merlin's now very obvious bump, and even Morgana showing her pregnancy as Sarrum cast his eyes over them both his face turned into a sneer, Merlin felt Arthur tense beside him. "You've grown Arthur" Sarrum acknowledged and then totally ignoring Merlin he turned to Uther's other side "Princess Morgana" he nodded then looked at Uther "My son remains in Amata as does my daughter but perhaps one day you will visit us"
Uther turned to Sarrum "The servants will show you to your quarters and settle everyone, anything you need please just ask. We have a feast tonight in your honour."
Once everyone had dispersed Arthur turned to Merlin "I'm sorry my love for his treatment of you, I will keep you away as much as I can" he then turned to Gwaine "Take Merlin back to our chambers, I need to speak to my father" With that Arthur followed his father into the throne room.
"How dare he snub Merlin so" Arthur said to his father
"Come Arthur did you expect anything less, you marry a man, and someone like King Sarrum is not going to acknowledge that. I told you it's wrong, I can't say I blame him. I expect you to treat him as the honoured guest he is"
"Honoured guest! Sire you do Camelot a grave disservice calling him a friend, he is a tyrant and a cruel oppressor of his people. He not only keeps slaves but mistreats then and his treatment of omegas is disgraceful" Arthur snapped back unable to control his temper.
"Arthur you forget yourself, Sarrum's methods might not be ours, but he has a peaceful kingdom that is prosperous"
Arthur butted in "Peaceful! Only because he executes very sign of dissent and only a select few are prosperous most of his people are starving."
"Enough you will treat him and his retinue with respect while he is here. I will hear no more. Now go and prepare for tonight and make sure that omega of yours knows how to behave" Uther glared at his son.
"You forget Sire my husband is a Prince of a kingdom far more powerful than Amata, he knows well how to conduct himself" Arthur bowed and then left before he could be tempted to say more. Uther's gaze followed his son out of the room, he had noted the change in Arthur since the omega's arrival and blamed Merlin for the changes in his son. He knew things would come to a head soon.
After Arthur had left him Uther sat down and once again wondered just when his relationship had gone so wrong with his son. He would like to blame it all on the omega, indeed the changes had been more apparent since them but he knew in his heart of hearts that the changes had started before then. His son was a headstrong Pendragon that was a fact. As to the omega Uther disliked him intensely, not just because he was male, although that was bad, but for his magic, it was rumoured that he was powerful, or had been before the magic supressing bangle had been put in place. Also he was from Powys, not many people in the kingdom knew of the problems Camelot had had with Powys in the past. Their High Priestess had once been citizen of Camelot before the great purge had started. Not only that, but it was rumoured that King Balinor had arranged for many a sorcerer to be taken to Powys for safety as well as several dragons. He knew if his son ever found out the connection between him and Nimueh then the present disagreements would pale into insignificance. Prince Merlin therefore was the very last person that he would have wanted his son to marry. He had seriously considered having the boy met with an accident and would have if only he knew a way without getting it traced to him. Getting up he went back to his chambers, perhaps King Sarrum's visit might be more useful than he thought.
Merlin had new clothes made to cover his expanding waist and picked out the nicest, knowing that Arthur was out to impress upon the visiting King just how highly he regarded Omegas. He wore the circlet his family had given him and looked every inch the prince he was. Arthur was dressed in Camelot red and worn the crown of the crown prince of Camelot. Morgana had also dressed to impress, she wasn't out to impress Sarrum as such but to show like Merlin, that Omegas were valued at Camelot.
The food was plenty and rich as befitted such a feast. King Sarrum showed himself to be the arrogant man they knew him to be and it wasn't until a fair amount of wine had been drank that he acknowledged Merlin in any way, when he did it was all Arthur could do not to run him through. In fact it was as well he wasn't wearing his sword.
"So Uther I hear you have two grandchildren on the way. The secession is secured." Sarrum said then he turned to Arthur "Your broodmare is young, I heard about the omega ball, and was surprised when my son told me you were left with such a choice"
Arthur flushed red with anger "My HUSBAND was the prize and I was very fortunate he was happy to be my mate. In Camelot we treat our omegas with the regard they deserve. Prince Merlin of Powys is my soul mate and a wonderful omega of whom I am very proud"
Sarrum smirked as he turned to Uther "Not the catch you had planned I'm sure, a male omega from a kingdom that allows sorcery. I'm surprised Uther."
"My son made his own choice and the boy has proved fertile. I hear your son has married" Uther, seeing his sons face decided to change the subject to one he knew Sarrum would want to talk about. He glared at Arthur to indicate he should keep silent. Merlin touched his husband and lent close hoping to stop problems. It worked in as much as it reminded him his pregnant omega was near and shouldn't be subjected to stress. Morgana looked equally annoyed as did Leon, but again they knew the time and place.
Sarrum looked at Uther and smiled for the first time showing a genuine pleasure. "Indeed he has wed the Princess of Northumbria a fine catch, Eric also had a fancy for a broodmare from Powys but saw sense and instead has one from within Amata. So if his wife doesn't conceive he has a chance with the broodmare. My son knows the correct way to do things."
Merlin heard the comment on his cousin Kara and was incensed with his hormones all over the place he stood up before Arthur had chance to react "My father would never have consented for your son having Kara, nor did she care for him she chose a far better man. There wasn't an omega that would consent to leave with your son, he should never have gone. You treat omegas disgracefully we are not breeding machines."
As Merlin started to speak Percival and the now fully healed Lancelot moved closer and Arthur tensed. Merlin sat down as if suddenly realising what he had done, he was blushing furiously but unrepentant. Gwaine wasn't present as Elena had gone into heat and they were secluded in their chambers.
Sarrum looked at Merlin as if he was something that crawled out from under a log and instead of answering Merlin spoke to Arthur "Might I suggest you control your over excitable omega, never can trust um, speciality when their breeding, needs to be taught a lesson, suggest you beat some sense into him"
Uther seeing the rage on his sons face quickly interceded at this point "Arthur I believe Merlin is over tired, you may take him to his chambers and then return"
Arthur didn't assay a word but stood up and taking Merlin with him left the three Blood guards following close behind. As Arthur made his way to the door he heard his sisters voice "Sire I also feel over tired so I to shall leave"
"Off course my dear, you need your rest" Uther obviously decided that it would be better to allow his feisty daughter to go before she also insulted their guest of honour.
Morgana soon caught up with Arthur and Merlin "Well done Merlin" she told her brother in law "The man's nothing but a creep"
Merlin looked at Morgana his face white with shock "I shouldn't have the King will be cross, he will have me beaten."
Arthur squeezed Merlin tighter to him "I won't allow anyone to touch you my love, I don't care Merlin what you said, you were right, but be careful while that man is here, make sure you have at least two of your guard with you if you leave our chambers, in fact I'd rather you didn't. I'll get Gaius to come up with some reason"
"Arthur that's not fair, why should Merlin be shut up just because he's here" Morgana protested
"Because King Sarrum is here as fathers guest, much as I detest the man I can't do anything about him, but I can protect Merlin and I will, you might well need to be careful as well. Don't forget Sarrum wanted you for his son Eric, he wasn't best pleased when you turned him down"
The look Morgana gave her brother spoke volumes "It's bad enough to wear this" she waved her bangle "without being seen as a broodmare!"
"I didn't say I blamed you, but Sarrum bears grudges, please be careful" Arthur warned his sister.
Leon who had followed his wife spoke "I agree Morgana, as your alpha I ask you to keep away, our chambers aren't far from Arthur's visit each other but no further please."
It took Merlin over an hour to calm down enough to fall asleep, when he did he was wrapped up in Arthur's arms so he felt safe.