Merlin kept his eyes on the floor as he went about his chores, trying not to swallow as it aggravated the burning sensation in his throat. Two days Arthur had been gone now, two days since Merlin had found himself under the law of the noble he still didn't know the name of. Two days for the man to violate his mouth a further three times.
It wasn't as if Merlin was a stranger to it, he was a young man living in Camelot, after all. And watching knights train day after day did have its advantages, not to mention how many of them he could get to swear their undying allegiance to Arthur whilst a quick tongue and clever hands took them apart. There had even been the odd noble that had gone too far as well. But somehow this was worse.
It was worse because he knew that he couldn't say anything. No matter what, Arthur could not find out. He had only just begun on his road to recovery; he was only just getting somewhere. To hear that Merlin was being hurt in a way that was vaguely similar to what he went through, Merlin knew that it would undo all of their hard work. He had to deal with this one on his own, and if it meant being shoved to his knees every morning before the man had even got out of bed properly, being forced to "service" him, then so be it. He could handle it. If he could deal with getting Arthur back after all of those months, he could deal with this.
Somehow, that still didn't stop his hands clenching when he heard footsteps heading towards the chambers again. It didn't stop his magic flaring to life with a mind of its own, only for Merlin to literally force it back. He knew that he couldn't lash out, that the consequences would be far worse than he could dream. Arthur had suffered more than anyone at the hands of magic, especially thanks to Dunran. If he came back from his trip to find his own manservant accused of the same thing, Merlin knew that would be the end of Arthur. The prince wouldn't trust anyone or anything ever again, not considering how fearful he still was of those around him. Not that he ever said anything, and the servant was sure that no one else even noticed, but he caught sight of the way Arthur's shoulders automatically tensed when he heard someone approaching and his fist tightened until the sounds had gone again. No, once again Merlin knew he had to just deal with it. Nothing could come in the way of Arthur being made the Once and Future King, not again.
"Boy!" The noble's yell echoed into the chamber just before the door burst open and Merlin spun around from where he was cleaning something. His eyes dropped to the floor, not out of any respect for the man, but because he knew it would be worse if he didn't. The man's first demand that Merlin never looked him in the eye was still ringing in his ears, and there was a bruise coming out across his face from where he had done just that the day before. This man had no tolerance for disobedience, and Merlin knew there was no way out of it with all the knights – his friends – on that damn hunting trip.
"I told you to be kneeling when I get back, whore." The man spat, driving his fist into Merlin's stomach and driving him to his knees. Merlin scowled at the floor, but let himself fall. He thought that Arthur would have no idea what he did to protect him due to his magic. He never realised what else he would be hiding and coping with to try and keep the prince safe. Only this time, it was keeping Arthur safe from his worst enemy at the moment – his own mind. Risking a glance upwards, Merlin felt his mouth go dry when he saw that the man was already beginning to unlace his breeches. Did he never have enough?
"No, please..." Merlin whispered, only to have a hand grab his chin, titling his head up towards the man. Just in time, Merlin remembered to keep his eyes down.
"What did you say to me?"
"Please, don't..." His voice was only just a little louder, hoarse from the misuse over the last couple of days, but even with his eyes down, he could see the man's smirk.
"That's right, beg me, boy. Do it! Beg!" Swallowing past a lump in his throat, Merlin slowly shook his head. He may be trying to stay alive and trying to protect Arthur, but that wasn't going to mean that he was going to completely submit. He wanted to maintain some shred of pride, something that he could hold on to in order to make him worthy of being by Arthur's side. He was not going to beg.
"I thought so," the noble continued, tilting Merlin's head up again and digging his fingers into his jaw to force Merlin to open his mouth. "You like it too much, admit it."
Merlin literally growled, but it was muffled somewhat as something was forced between his lips, and he found himself choking instead. The man didn't move this time though, despite the fact that he had Merlin pushing against him furiously, trying to get away. He was looking down through hooded eyes, watching the warlock struggle against the iron grip he had on the back of his head as he left his cock resting in the servant's mouth. Merlin was breathing heavily through his nose, tears leaking from the corners of his eyes once more, but suddenly, the man pulled away.
"Get up." Not hesitating, Merlin scrambled to his feet, wiping his mouth with his sleeve, face burning in shame and humiliation. He certainly wasn't going to stay on his knees any longer than he had to, not with the threatening position of the noble above him. Especially considering the man was still allowing himself to hang free. The noble grabbed his arm again, and Merlin winced.
"I've had enough of taking you that way." To say Merlin sagged in relief for a split second was an understatement, but the grip on his arm didn't lessen and the man shook him violently. "But that doesn't mean I've had enough."
Before Merlin could react, he was thrown across the room, landing at the edge of the bed. The man was on him in an instant, looming over Merlin as hands reached out to grab him. Merlin moved, leaping out of the way and rolling across the bed. He dropped to a crouch on the other side before springing to his feet and aiming to run for the door. A hand caught him around the arm, however, spinning him around, and this time, Merlin wasn't quick enough. He was forced onto the bed on his stomach, a hand holding the back of his neck and pressing his face into the pillows. Struggling for breath, Merlin let out a terrified cry as he felt the man's hand against his own breeches, forcing them down his legs.
Despite his many explorations being in Camelot, Merlin had never done that. For the first time since the man had proven his intentions were less than honourable, Merlin felt terrified. Kicking out, he twisted and bucked as much as he could, but with his legs trapped in the material of his breeches, there wasn't a lot he could do. Through sheer chance, he somehow got a lucky kick in, and no sooner had the man grunted in pain, Merlin was off the bed.
But the warlock was clumsy on the best of days, and with his breeches around his knees, he had barely gone a step before he tripped. Once again, the noble that he was trying to escape was on him, and Merlin yelled out as his hands were pulled behind him and tied with the man's belt, holding them in the small of his back.
"I wouldn't try that again if I were you, you slut." The man snarled, dragging Merlin to his feet by his collar and slamming the boy against a wall. Merlin fought furiously, but he knew this time, there would be no getting away. The man had a good grip on him, using his own body weight to pin Merlin in place, including his still flaying legs.
"No! Don't! Please, no, don't do this!" The screams fell from him as Merlin grasped blindly for his magic. But as with the first time they man approached him, his terror made it slip from his grasp quicker than sand. "Let me go, please, don't..."
"Shut up, boy." The man snarled, and Merlin did precisely the opposite as he felt something nudge against him. He screamed.
For the first time since finding Arthur, Merlin realised just how terrified the prince must have been. Alone and defenceless, not against just one man, but huge groups of them, all wanting to make him suffer. His realisation made Merlin cry out again, partly for his own predicament, partly for failing Arthur for so long.
"Please, no..." he was sobbing now, the pressure slowly beginning to increase. Everything seemed to be going hazy through his tears as he gasped and struggled for breath.
"Bromley!" A furious shout echoed through the room as the door burst open, slamming into the wall behind. For a wild moment, Merlin thought it was Arthur, the prince coming back to save him just as he knew Merlin hadn't stopped until he had saved the prince. But it was no Arthur standing in the doorway, but someone else. The other noble who had been standing with them when the man – Bromley – had staked his claim on Merlin. The pressure disappeared with a curse, and Merlin sank to the floor, shaking. He was barely aware of the fact that his trousers were still halfway down his legs and that his hands were tied, he was too busy gulping for air.
"Is this how you repay Uther's kindness, by abusing his staff? This boy is the prince's own personal manservant, what would Arthur say?" Merlin didn't hear the response through his whirling head, but he felt a gentle hand on his arm.
"No, please, don't...just let me go..." he flinched back, shrinking into the wall even as the hand reached behind him, pulling away the belt.
"It's okay, boy. He won't hurt you anymore..." Gulping air frantically, Merlin slowly blinked, the man's face coming into focus. He was staring down at Merlin in concern, but making sure he kept his distance.
"Didn't want it..." Merlin mumbled, not really being sure what he was saying, but feeling like he should be explaining.
"Shh, don't worry. It's over..." Gently reaching down, the man took hold of Merlin's arm lightly and drew the shaking man to his feet. As he glanced down, Merlin reacted, suddenly realising that he was still exposed like this and yanked his trousers up, almost ripping the laces as he tried to secure them with shaking hands. He then backed against the wall again, trying to protect himself from harm.
"He's coming with me, Bromley. You are to stay away from him, and if I hear otherwise, the prince will find out. From what I've heard about Arthur lately, he will not take it well and you will be hauled in front of Uther before you can blink. Now, boy, do you have a name?"
"Merlin." Said warlock mumbled, something sinking through his hazy mind. What hadthe man heard about Arthur lately, he was sure Uther had made sure it stayed quiet what had befallen the prince.
"Come, Merlin, I have food and warmth in my chambers, you'll be safe." The man reached out his hand again in a gesture, but Merlin was glad when he didn't try to touch him. Nodding slightly, he stumbled forward, even more grateful for the noble as he made sure he put himself between the servant and Bromley. It wasn't that he trusted the man, but knew it was either that or stay in Bromley's chambers, he couldn't face making it to Gaius like this. And the man had saved him...
Just letting his feet walk and his mind try and zone out from what had just happened, Merlin wasn't really paying much attention to his surroundings. It was only when the man called to him softly to stop did he realise he was in front of another door. It was pushed opened, and Merlin gestured to go in. Mutely, he did so, realising that he couldn't feel anything other than numbness.
"Here, Merlin, take a seat." The warlock let himself be pushed into a soft chair by the fire, the extra warmth only then making him realise that he had been shivering. The man crouched in front of him, fingers outstretched and hovering over the bruise on Merlin's face, but once again not touching.
"Who 're you?" Merlin slurred slightly, wrapping his arms around himself to try and both warm up and protect himself.
"Someone who will not stand for the likes of Bromley. Now, can I get you something to eat? Drink perhaps?" Merlin could only blink at the man. He was the servant, he should be the one trying to get the food for the noble, not sitting here in what was obviously the man's personal seat. Panicking, he tried to get up, but a soft hand on his shoulder kept him down.
"It's quite alright, my boy. You've been through quite an ordeal, you just rest for a moment. I'll have you transferred to be my servant in the morning, but right now, you just sit there and regain your strength, it's going to be okay."
The hand disappeared and Merlin sagged, curling up. He felt exhausted all of a sudden now that the panic was wearing off slightly, and couldn't help but sniff, wiping his hand across his eyes to try and get rid of the tears. To his shame, they just fell thicker and faster instead. Merlin was just glad that the noble had moved behind him and couldn't see the tears literally pouring down his cheeks as he stared into the flames. Now more than ever, he wanted Arthur back in the castle. Why had Leon thought that it would be a good idea to take Arthur away without Merlin? And why now? Deep down, Merlin knew it was not the Knight's fault, Arthur wouldn't have reacted well with being so close to Merlin, yet having his servant assigned to other people. But the prince always offered Merlin a sense of security, even now when he could only just hold his sword again.
"Here," the hand was back, a goblet clutched in it. Jumping, Merlin hastily tried to wipe his eyes again, any attempt to make it look as if he wasn't as weak and vulnerable as he was feeling right now. He had been through hell and back trying to get Arthur safe, and now it was being in the castle again that was causing him to shatter.
"Take it, Merlin, you'll need it." Hand trembling violently, Merlin managed to take the cup, although it still took both hands for him to hold it vaguely steady.
"You should drink it before it goes cold, it will settle your nerves. Then you should try and get some sleep, let your mind heal from what just happened." The man's voice was strangely soothing, and Merlin found himself nodding in agreement, taking a sip. He almost sighed in satisfaction as the warming taste of mulled wine hit his previously burning throat. It both soothed his throat and his nerves, and after a few more sips, Merlin found that his hand had stopped shaking as badly.
He could see the noble out of the corner of his eye, sitting on the bed to give Merlin some distance, but watching him closely.
"Thank you." He croaked, wiping away the tears once again and trying to smile at the man before taking another sip of the drink.
"Oh don't thank me." The man muttered, "it's the least I can do. You just drink that, you'll feel better."
Merlin's smile was slightly more genuine this time as he took another sip. It was nice to know that all nobles were arrogant bullies. It was as he was coming to the end of the drink that Merlin realised something felt weird. He thought the shaking had settled, but as he glanced at his hand, it let out a tremble so badly the goblet went clattering out of his hand and down onto the floor.
"Sorry," Merlin muttered, making to go after it. But as he got to his feet, the room lurched alarmingly and he was forced to cling onto the chair to stop himself from falling over. Determined not to seem weak yet again in front of this man, Merlin forced himself upright and moved after the goblet.
He didn't even make it a step before his eyes rolled back in his head and he hit the floor.
"Now that was interesting." Acrotus got slowly to his feet, staring at the unconscious servant in amazement. "Very interesting indeed."
Glancing at the door, he quickly strode across the room and shut it before hoisting Merlin up onto the bed. No need for the boy to get suspicious. That done, he quickly disposed of the rest of the wine, albeit feeling smug at the results. It certainly explained a lot.
If he was honest, Acrotus hadn't expected the potion to do anything. It was a way of detecting magic, even the most powerful of sorcerers simply felt sick. The boy, however, had completely passed out. On one hand, there was no faking the ordeal he had just been through, maybe Bromley's attack had affected the results? On the other hand, however, someone had got the prince out of that place, going against numerous sorcerers in the process.
Very interesting indeed.