WARNING: This story contains fairly severe spanking. Don't like, don't read! You have been warned and I will not apologize for my work or its content.
Merlin hadn't meant to cause any trouble.
Truly, he hadn't.
At the news of an unknown but threatening presence outside the city walls, Arthur, his knights, and Merlin, of course, had readied horses at once and set out into the forest to see if they could scout out and neutralize said threat. Arthur had commanded the men firmly to stay close to him in a tight line, following his horse. "There's no reason to lose any man today so long as you all stay aware of your surroundings and back the man in front of you. No one is to break rank without direct order from me alone. Is that clear?" He had turned his horse to face the band just before entering the woods,, addressing them seriously. When every man had confirmed that they understood and intended to comply, they continued on their way, Arthur leading, Sir Percival riding around to take the back.
The men continued quietly for some time, stopping here and there at a raise of Arthur's hand before continuing on.
Presently, Merlin, whose mind had been wandering up to that point, snapped to attention when he thought he heard a rustling of sorts a few feet to his right. "Arthur," he hissed. "Stop!" Arthur held up his hand again at once, halting the party. He turned to look back at Merlin, who was right behind him, giving him a puzzled look. The rustling came again. "Hear that?" Merlin whispered. Arthur's hand went to his sword. He slowly dismounted.
"No, stay put," he ordered as his men moved to follow him. Arthur crept quietly toward the sound. He crouched down low, trying to get a better view. Then, he fell backward suddenly with a cry of surprise as a large deer bounded out of the brush, leaping almost right over him in its flurry of motion. It disappeared into the trees beyond.
The men burst into relieved laughter. Arthur scrambled to his feet. He shook his head in disgust and spat in the dirt before returning to his horse. "Has anyone ever told you that you are a complete and total imbecile, Merlin?" he snapped, reaching up to deliver a blow to Merlin's arm before remounting his horse.
"I thought-"
"Well, don't!" Arthur twisted to face him. "You're clearly no good at it, so leave the thinking to those of us with an actual brain in our heads, how about that?" The men hooted and Merlin's cheeks burned as Arthur shook his head. "Trade places with Percival," he pointed to the back of the line. "Clearly I can't count on you for any sort of sound judgement. Percival! Front!" He called. Merlin gritted his teeth and did not meet anyone's eyes as he rode shamefully to the back of the line.
The group had only continued on for another 10 or so minutes, when something caught the corner of Merlin's eye. His head snapped toward the movement, but he saw nothing. Blinking, he turned to look back at the men in front of him, but it happened again.
Merlin slowed his horse to a stop, peering into the trees. No, there was definitely something there. He opened his mouth to call for the men to stop, but then closed it again. It was probably nothing, he thought, and he wasn't about to stop Arthur again for something trivial that would make him the laughingstock of the party long after they all returned home. He started his horse forward again. And then the movement once again caught his eye.
Merlin immediately turned his horse toward it, making his way down the hill carefully. I have magic, he thought. I can perhaps catch whoever it is by surprise and disarm them before Arthur gets to them to finish them off. He won't think I'm such an imbecile then!
"Merlin!" came the king's indignant cry. "Get back up here right now!" But Merlin simply held a hand up (perhaps mocking Arthur a bit) and continued forward.
What happened next was still a blur in Merlin's mind. Three, perhaps four dozen disheveled looking men, bandits, they had discovered later, came pouring out of the trees on the neighboring hilltop, roaring. They advanced on Merlin, and had it not been for Arthur's men moving at lightning speed to get in front of him, he would have been overwhelmed immediately. The bandits had axes and arrows and swords, and put up a decent fight against Arthur and his men. One swung an axe into the backside of Sir Elyan's horse; it bucked violently and Elyan flew from it, crumpling in a heap on the forest floor. "Elyan!" Arthur cried, rushing to defend him from anyone wishing to take advantage as he lay defenseless.
Merlin's heart was pounding so hard he could hardly breathe. All around him, men screamed as they fell, metal clanged against metal and sank into flesh. He looked around wildly, trying to figure out what he could do to help. Finally, his eyes settled on a a huge oak that stood leaning a bit over the current battle scene. Merlin's eyes flashed gold, and a deep crack appeared across the tree's base. It began to fall, deafening cracking erupting from its trunk as it did so.
"Look out!" Merlin screamed. The tree met the ground, taking down several of the enemy's men along with it, causing several others to fly off their feet and fall on their backs. Arthur and his men quickly finished them off, then stumbled back, exhausted.
Merlin's chest heaved and tears filled his eyes as he looked around. "Merlin," Arthur called. "Come over here." He was on his knees at Elyan's side. Merlin went to him shakily, dropping down next to him. "Assess him," Arthur commanded tightly. Merlin carefully rolled the unconscious knight over onto his back. He was bleeding from his mouth and had a deep cut along his jawbone; Merlin realized, stomach turning, that he could see the actual bone. "Is he breathing?" Arthur demanded. Merlin pressed a hand against his neck to feel for a pulse, then listened for a breath.
"Yes, he's breathing," he responded at last. "But we must get him back to Gaius. He's probably bleeding internally."
"Make haste back to Camelot!" Arthur called, his voice shaking much more than he meant for it to. "Help me get him on a horse," he commanded no one in particular, rising to his feet. When Merlin stood, though, and reached down to help him lift Elyan, he received an elbow to the chest. "Not you," Arthur hissed. His eyes were cold. "Get out of here, Merlin."
Arthur had not spoken another word to Merlin the entire ride back to the castle. When they had arrived, Merlin had ran for Gaius, tumbling over his words as he tried to form a coherent explanation. Gaius had waved him off and immediately begun to clear a space on a cot for Elyan, ordered Merlin to do this and that quietly and calmly. Being put to use soothed Merlin a bit, and he was able to think much more clearly by the time Arthur and three of his men carried Elyan into Gaius' chamber.
When it was determined that Elyan would be fine, save for a nasty concussion and a handful of cuts and bruises, Arthur breathed a sigh of relief. Then, he turned to Merlin. "You are dismissed for the rest of the day," he said bluntly. "Do not enter my sight until after breakfast tomorrow. I shall manage until then." He turned to Gaius, thanking him sincerely, then turned on his heel and left.
Gaius looked at Merlin, eyes wide. "Merlin, whatever have you done?" he inquired. Merlin opened his mouth to explain, but his voice caught in his throat, overwhelmed by a sob. Gaius' expression softened immediately. "Oh, my boy. Come over here with me," he led him to his own bed, where they both sank down. Gaius placed a steady hand on Merlin's back, and the story began to unfold: how Merlin had broken rank and the attack that led to Elyan's injury.
"It's all my fault," Merlin muttered bitterly through tears. "I drew them right to us."
"Be that as it may," Gaius rubbed a steady circle on Merlin's back, "I am certain that the king was not caught entirely off guard. Arthur has endured far worse ambushes and come out just fine."
"I thought I could help," Merlin said, drawing in a breath shakily. "I thought I could catch whoever it was before Arthur and make it easier for him to take them down."
"That was quite a foolish risk, my boy," Gaius regarded him a bit sternly. "You had no idea what the threat might have been. I don't blame Arthur for being incensed with you. However, I think it best not to dwell on it tonight. Whatever happens in the morning will happen, and if, by chance, the king overreacts, I shall speak with him. Does that sound reasonable?" When Merlin nodded miserably, Gaius lifted a hand to the back of his head, leaned forward, and drew the boy into his shoulder. "I am glad you are safe, Merlin," he spoke over his head. The two say there together for some time before Gaius rose, mumbling about dinner.
Breakfast came and went the next morning. Merlin merely picked at his food; his stomach was churning far too much to be able to eat. I'll have to return to Ealdor, he thought to himself, that is, if he doesn't banish me from the whole of his kingdom completely.
After a couple of hours of hemming and hawing, Gaius almost shoved him out the door, insisting he go and make things right with Arthur and face up to the consequences of his anger, whatever they may be. "He's likely not just upset because his servant went against his orders," he had said. "You're also his friend. He probably feels a little betrayed." Gaius' words echoed in Merlin's head as he entered the castle, making way for Arthur's chambers.
He reached them all too quickly and gave a tentative knock. "Yes?" he heard the king respond, and flinched. Against everything in him, he pushed the door open slowly. "Merlin," the king said upon setting eyes on him. "Come in. Shut the door behind you." Arthur was seated at his desk in the center of the room. Merlin approached him, his breathing shallow.
"Sire, I-" Arthur held up a hand.
"I'm not going to sack you, Merlin," he said. Merlin's chest began to heave in relief.
"O...oh," he stammered. He gave a nervous chuckle. "Uh, tha...thank you, my lord."
"But we must discuss what happened yesterday," Arthur motioned to the chairs that sat against the wall. "Have a seat." Merlin pulled a chair over and sat down opposite of Arthur.
What proceeded was one of the most severe tongue lashings that Merlin had ever received. Arthur lit into him like never before, making sure that his displeasure was completely transparent and perfectly understood. "You yourself put the entirety of our party at risk!" he shouted. "Never would I have expected such insolence from you, Merlin! It is one thing to show up late to work and forget about completing simple tasks, but this? How complicated could it possibly have been, Merlin?! I ordered you to stay put and you disobeyed me twice!" Arthur's nostrils flared and his face was flushed red, the color of Merlin's face matching his.
"I'm sorry," Merlin mumbled, struggling to keep his own emotions at bay.
"I bet you're sorry!" Arthur seethed. "Elyan almost died!"
"I know," Merlin replied quietly. Arthur's chest heaved. He seemed to be running out of words.
"You understand I cannot allow this insubordination to go unaddressed." Arthur was looking directly at him, now, and Merlin wished he could disappear into thin air.
"I understand, Sire," Merlin could not meet Arthur's gaze. "I completely and humbly submit myself to whatever you decide is best."
"Hm." Arthur was still watching him. "A week in the dungeons, perhaps?" Merlin felt his stomach grow cold with dread. "Or public flogging? What, you're crying now?" A tear had slipped down Merlin's cheek unchecked. "If only you took following instructions as seriously as you did the consequences, eh, Merlin?" Merlin was biting his tongue so hard he could taste blood. Arthur gave a small sigh. "I fear I am much too angry at the moment to make a sound decision. But there will be consequences. Mark my words. Dismissed, Merlin," he gave a wave of his hand. "I'll have someone fetch you when I can look at you without wanting to strangle you." Merlin gave a hasty bow and tried not to run out of Arthur's room. He shut the door behind him and sank against the wall, breathing hard, his tears now falling freely.
He didn't know how long he had stayed there when the door opened beside him and Arthur stepped out. He took in the sight of his distraught manservant and looked as if he were about to say something. Merlin hastily wiped his tears and tried to calm himself down. Finally, Arthur spoke. "I think I've finally decided what to do with you." Merlin's watery eyes met Arthur's, which were considerably less cold and hard than they had been a few moments ago. "Go back in there," he nodded at the door, "and have a seat. I'll be back." Merlin did as he was told.
Merlin had settled himself back at the desk, trying to prepare himself for whatever it was Arthur was going to do to him. Before he had much time to fully envision the worst, he heard the door open behind him. He turned and saw Arthur enter. Arthur shut the door and walked over to his bed, setting something on it (Merlin hadn't gotten a good look as to what). "Come over here, Merlin," Arthur commanded quietly. Merlin stood and walked (or sort of wobbled) to his side. Arthur snapped his fingers and pointed at the floor and Merlin immediately dropped to his knees in front of Arthur, his head bowed. After allowing Merlin to kneel there silently for a minute or so, Arthur spoke. "It would seem to me that when I speak or give a command, my words fall on deaf ears. You proved yourself incapable of following the most basic of instructions yesterday, and we all suffered for it, Elyan most of all. So, I thought perhaps a more physical approach might more clearly communicate to you the importance of following orders." Merlin glanced up at him and then back down quickly, puzzled. Did he actually mean to have him flogged? "Look up here at me." Merlin lifted his head once more. "Do you know what this is?"
Arthur grasped in his hand a long wooden bathbrush, one side flat and round, the other side bristled, used for scrubbing oneself while they are bathing. "Um...it's a bathbrush," Merlin said, clearing his throat.
"It is indeed," Arthur confirmed, "and I intend to thrash you with it." He paused to allow his announcement to sink in.
"W...what?" Merlin gasped.
"'What?'" Arthur mimicked. "You know. Thrash. Smack. Paddle. Spank. Do you want me to use the word 'spank' instead, Merlin? I thought that might sound a tad juvenile."
"I...but...I-"
"You," Arthur interrupted, "are in dire need of a wake-up. And if my words mean nothing to you, perhaps my arm will be able to break through whatever clouds you have in that thick skull of yours. Now. Stand up." Merlin, feeling as though he were about to vomit, obeyed. "Take off your boots." He obeyed, setting them aside. "Now your trousers."
"What? No!"
"Excuse me?" Arthur rose to his feet, grasping the front of Merlin's shirt. "I believe I just gave you instructions. Take. Off. Your. Trousers."
"I...I can't."
"We are having a lesson in obedience, Merlin," Arthur began to raise his voice. "If I have to do it for you, I will take it as you disobeying me once again, and I shall have to make this all the more worse for you. I'm only going to ask you once more. Take them off." Merlin felt his face nearly burst into flames. His hands shook violently, but he finally managed to hook his fingers into the sides of his trousers and pull them down. Naked from the waist down, Merlin had never had more of a desire to drop dead in his life. "Step out of them and set them aside." Merlin bent and moved them out of the way, cursing his humiliating vulnerability. "Now." Arthur reached up and grasped Merlin's wrist. "Bend over the side of the bed." Merlin's mind was thick with panic and confusion as he struggled to comprehend the situation. Arthur must have known this, because he mercifully pulled Merlin forward before reaching up and guiding him over the bed himself.
Arthur reached behind him, shoving a pillow into Merlin's arms. "You may not let go of this pillow until we are through here. If you do, you are not going to like what will happen as a result. Am I clear, Merlin?"
"Yes," Merlin gasped.
"Splendid. Do not kick me or make to get up either. Only I decide when this is finished. You have no say. Understood?"
"Yes," Merlin repeated.
"I'm sorry, what was that?"
"Yes, Sire."
"That's what I thought. Right then, here we are." Merlin's heart was in his throat. This is not happening this is not happening this is not happening. He was caught between such humiliation and guilt that he could think to do nothing but lay there numbly.
Then, out of nowhere, SMACK! A cry escaped Merlin's lips in spite of himself, and he clenched his teeth down hard around the edge of the pillow. The blows continued to fall hard and fast. Arthur never allowed him a chance to catch his breath, just continued to beat Merlin's bottom and legs with the huge brush. Merlin tried to steady out his breathing, hoping that if he were to calm down a little, it might help his pain tolerance. No such luck. The sharp, throbbing burn continued to build sharply until it was overwhelming. Merlin was gritting his teeth as hard as he could, his head shaking back and forth a bit, desperately trying to bear the agony. He let out a sob, much as he was trying to hold any noise at all back…and then it all let loose before he could stop it and he was bawling over the edge of the bed like a child. He swallowed hard, coughed, and gasped convulsively, trying to regain control of himself. But it was all completely horrible, much more than he could bear, and before long, Merlin struggled out, "Arthur, stop! Please stop!" before collapsing into more sobbing.
Mercifully, Arthur paused.
"Is this getting through to you, Merlin?"
"Yes, Sire," he wept.
"What are you going to do the next time I tell you to stay put or come back?" Arthur's voice was soft and calm.
"Obey you," he managed.
"And if you disobey me again like this, do you know what is going to happen, Merlin?" The boy just cried brokenly. Four hard whacks rained down, causing his sobbing to spike. "This is what is going to happen. I'll not have your foolishness and impulsiveness putting anyone in harm's way. And believe it or not," he leaned down closer to Merlin's ear, "idiot, I don't want you coming into any harm either. I am your king; it is my job to watch over my subjects. Even if it means doing this." And Merlin received another four whacks that left him gasping. "Do you understand?"
"I do," Merlin moaned.
"Then let's finish this." Arthur lay a hand on Merlin's back, almost soothingly. A few seconds later, slap after slap followed as Merlin fought to maintain any composure at all. Once Arthur finally stopped, though, after what had probably been a good two to three dozen whacks, Merlin was crying in full voice, his legs shaking with the biting pain. He lay limp over the bed, gripping the pillow Arthur had given him; he had never once let go of it.
"Alright, Merlin, we're all done," Arthur said quietly. His hand remained on Merlin's back. He set the brush behind him on the bed. "Get up," he nudged him after a moment. Merlin's breathing hitched as he gingerly rose, retrieving his clothing. He put his trousers back on, and then his boots. Then, he stood before Arthur awkwardly, his shoulders still heaving now and then. "You may have use of my washroom to compose yourself for a few minutes if you so need," Arthur said gently. "I'll be here."
"Tha-ank you, Sire," Merlin gasped, and then he turned and nearly fled into the washroom, the door shutting behind him.
Arthur sighed heavily, putting his face in his hands. Had he really just done that? Had it had the desired effect? Did Merlin hate him? Had he hurt him too badly? What was he supposed to do now? Would things be able to go back to normal? Would Merlin actually listen when it was most crucial?
He pondered all these things until Merlin stumbled back out of the washroom. His face was clean and he was a great deal calmer, but his eyes and cheeks were sunken, puffy, and red, and he had his arms wrapped around himself defensively. He was not looking at Arthur.
"Merlin…" Arthur started, and then fell off, unsure of himself. "Come back over here," he said at last. "Please," he added as his servant hesitated, fear clearly etched on his face. "We're all done with that," he made a vague gesture towards the bathbrush. "All done, I promise. You've been more than adequately punished. I want to talk to you. Come here." Merlin shuffled over to him and Arthur patted the bed next to him; Merlin sat down cautiously.
The two sat together silently. Arthur was completely at a loss as to what to say or do next. As he was pondering whether to dismiss Merlin or scold him more or tell him everything was alright, he heard his servant give a wet sniff next to him. Arthur glanced over and saw two twin tears drop onto Merlin's folded hands; the latter brushed them off onto his trousers hurriedly.
It was then that Arthur Pendragon did something entirely un-Arthur Pendragon-like: he opened his arms, leaned in close to Merlin, and enveloped him in a strong hug. Merlin froze, not returning the hug initially, but Arthur just held onto him until, at last, Merlin raised one arm and carefully encircled Arthur's waist, his forehead resting against Arthur's shoulder. "It's alright, Merlin," Arthur murmured quietly, "it's over."
"I'm sorry," Merlin sobbed. "It was all my fault, I'm sorry."
"It's over," Arthur repeated. "It's over now. Let's just forget about it. We've got too much to do to dwell on this." Merlin must have been satisfied by that response, because he fell quiet, save for the occasional sob here and there. "Stop crying like a girl," Arthur huffed at last, pushing him back and giving him a small smile. Merlin, in return, gave him a tiny smirk, swiping at his eyes. "Are you hungry?" The boy nodded. "Because I am. Go on down to the kitchen and get us both some dinner. You can eat with me in here tonight."
"Thanks…thanks, Arthur." Merlin stood and started toward the door.
"Merlin." He turned back around, eyes wide. "It's alright," Arthur said once more. "Don't dwell on it."
"Alright."
"Sorry?" He raised an eyebrow at Merlin sardonically.
"Erm…yes, Sire." Arthur gave him a firm nod as Merlin turned back around, but not before catching his servant rolling his eyes. He gave a little chuckle of relief.
Now to see if the idiot would actually take the lesson to heart.
Fin.
A/N: I know this is not Narnia! I'm nearly finished the last season of Merlin, though, and this is a little scene that's been bouncing around in my head for some time, and today it popped out. Please review!
-Cas xx