Arthur woke up with a start, his heart was racing and his eyes darted across the room. His hand clenched into the blanket. He tried to force himself to take a breath, but the images in his mind were too much.
His magic crawled beneath his skin searching for a way out. With a groan, he pushed himself from the bed. There was no way that he was going to get more sleep tonight.
Arthur walked to the window, it was still dark outside, he suspected that it was just past midnight. He gave a tired sigh, it was going to be one of those extra-long days.
With a start he lit candles, giving light to the darkroom. He can just as well do some work.
When the sun finally reached his eyes he pushed himself away from the desk, stretching his back out. His eyes burned from the lack of sleep and working through the night.
His limbs felt heavy and it took some work to get himself ready for the day. When he started to go down to the kitchen to pick up breakfast, he could hear screaming coming from the courtyard. He froze up.
He knows that sound too well, it was the screams of someone being blamed for having magic. He knows that Uther wasn't going to listen to their reasons for using magic.
Arthur could feel the last of his appetite leaving him. With a sigh, he started to walk to the council room, where he knows Uther would be waiting.
For a moment Arthur could feel the nerves burning through him. He would walk in there and try to stop this. Either his ass is going to be handed to him again or he would just walk away with screams in his ears.
He peaked into the room, he could see Uther talking to the council. For a moment Arthur just wanted to turn around and leave. He is tired to fight for other people.
Before he could sneak back to his room, the guards dragged a screaming man into the room. He tried to pull away from them, but the guards were stronger than him. Arthur felt a shudder running through him when he noted the iron cuffs.
Arthur could faintly hear the words from inside the room.
"I can't believe we still need to hold trials for those who have magic, the king has them executed either way." The one councilman almost sounded bored.
Arthur gave a bitter laugh, he slipped from the corridor. There was a certain truth to what he had said, the king doesn't hold a fair trial when magic is involved.
He closed his eyes when he was back in his chambers. For a moment the world spun in front of him. Arthur forced himself to take a deep breath.
For a moment he wayed the pros and cons of skipping training, but he knows that it wouldn't go over well when Uther finds out.
With a sigh, he pushed the thoughts about the dammed man from his mind and started to get dressed.
The amour shined in the sunlight and for a moment there was a smile on Arthur's face. At least there was something he was good in.
Merlin was silent as he watched the crowd forming. His eyes darted up to where a window was open in the castle. He could see a young woman standing in the window watching the proceedings. He could see the disgust on her face.
The people in the crowd were whispering to each other as the guards pulled the man into the middle, where a wooden stump was waiting for him.
A shudder ran through Merlin as the magic begged for a way to help the man, searching for anyone who would be able.
Merlin forced his magic to the back of his head, the last thing he needs to do is make an attraction and get himself killed when the games had only just started.
He watched as Uther stood on the balcony watching over everything.
"Let this be a lesson to all, this man Thomas James Collins is judge guilty to conspire and use enchantments and magic." Uther's voice was hard as he looked at the crowd.
"And pursuing the laws of Camelot, I, Uther Pendragon had decreed that such practices are banned. On penalty of death.
"I pride myself as a fair, just king but for the crimes of sorcery there is but one sentence I can pass." Uther felt the old hatred flaring up inside him again, but he made sure to keep his voice and face stoic.
With a nod, the guards forced the man onto the execution bloke. Uther lifted his hand into the air, as the executioner lifted his axe.
When he was sure everyone's nerves were shot, he bought his hand down and the axe came down.
For a moment Merlin felt sick.
"When I came to this land, this kingdom was mired in chaos but with the people's help magic was driven from the realm. So I declare a festival to celebrate twenty years since the great dragon was captured. And Camelot was freed from the evil of sorcery. Let the celebrations begin." Uther turned around to go back inside.
When there was suddenly a wail of pain. He froze for a mere second before he turned around to face the crowd again.
An old woman started to speak, her voice was high with pain and hatred. "There is only one evil in this land and it is not magic.
"It is you, your hatred, and your ignorance." Her voice broke. "You killed my son." She took a wheezy breath.
"And I promise you before the celebrations are over you will share my tears. An eye for an eye. And a tooth for a tooth. A son for a son." Before she could continue, Uther ordered her to be ceased.
She grabbed a pendant, said something in the old language before she disappeared into a gush of wind.
Merlin could feel nerves for the first time since he put his feet into Camelot but at the same time, he couldn't help but be excited.
The day passed fast for both of them. Merlin helping Gaius with potions and Arthur working with the knights.
When the time came for the celebrations, Arthur considered just staying in his room. He was exhausted and woozy.
The last thing he wanted to do was deal with nobility.
With a sigh, he started to get ready. He was quiet as he walked down to the hall, Arthur forced himself to take a deep breath as he walked in.
He gave the people a friendly smile and started a conversation with some of the nobles. Arthur felt like he was floating.
When Uther called that the Lady Helen was going to start everyone took their seats.
Arthur was silent as she started to sing, he could feel the exhaustion pulling him down slowly as the woman keeps on singing.
His eyes fell closed the sweet bliss of darkness invaded his mind. He couldn't feel the cobwebs slowly spreading over him.
Merlin's eyes widen when he saw the effect the singing was having, he quickly put his hands over his ears as Lady Helen continued with her song.
When she pulled a dagger from her sleeve, Merlin's eyes shot up to the chandelier above her head, without so much as a whisper, his eyes flash gold and the chandelier fell onto her.
He could see the magic slowly seeping away from the room. Everyone was slow to wake up. She pushed herself up just enough that she could throw the dagger at Arthur.
Another flash of gold and Merlin slowed time down enough that he could pull the prince out of the way.
The dagger slammed into the chair. Arthur could feel a shiver running through his body but he didn't say a word. For a faint second, he wished that Merlin didn't do it.
That the dagger would have pierced him.
Arthur pushed the morbid thoughts from his head. There was no use in dwelling on the what if's off live.
Both of the young men pushed themselves upright. Arthur's eyes were on the dagger and Merlin looked at Arthur.
Uther pushed himself upright walking to where his son and Merlin was standing. Merlin scratched his head slightly.
"You saved my boy's life, a debt must be repaid." Uther felt for a moment as if he had lost Igraine again. Just like all those years ago.
A silent vow to try and be a better father. He had so much to make up for and he had no idea where he was going to start.
"Um well…" Merlin trailed off. His heart was trying to climb out of his chest. Before he could continue Uther interrupted him.
"Don't be so modest. You shall be rewarded." Uther had a feeling that this man would be a good fit for Arthur. He wasn't sure how but he had learned the hard way to trust his gut.
"No honesty, you don't have to your highness." Merlin was flustered as the king continued to talk.
"No absolutely, this merit something quite special." Uther ignored the fact that the man was flustered. He just wanted to give him a reason to be around Arthur as much as possible.
"Well…" Merlin looked briefly at the floor before he looked back at Uther.
"You shall be rewarded to a position in the Royal household, you shall be prince Arthur's manservant." Uther moved away no longer caring about the conversation.
Arthur forced his face to stay neutral even when he wanted to fight this, but he knows that it would be useless. Uther had been trying to get him to take a manservant for a while now and now he had one he didn't want.
Arthur swallowed the - father - he wanted to send after Uther in protest. He looked at the young man standing slightly behind him as the crowd cheered.
With everything that was going on Uther cancelled the last part of the celebrations. Arthur was glad when he could just slip out. He was dead on his feet.
A glimpse outside showed that it was already late into the evening. Without really thinking about it when Arthur got to his room, he changed and fell into the bed.
His eyes closed, it was as if the spell was still half over him. For a moment there was only peace and quiet.
But unfortunately, it didn't last and Arthur woke up in the early hours of the morning, still tired and in a bad mood.
Merlin was quiet as he and Gaius walked back to the chambers.
"So what do you think about this Merlin?" Gaius asked when they got back to the room they shared. He lit the fire as Merlin gather a pot and started to work leaves together to make tea.
For a moment there was silence as he worked. "It is good, it means I have a reason to be around him." Merlin fell silent again.
"What is going on with Uther?" Merlin changed the subject as he glanced at Gaius.
"I wished I knew Merlin, he is strange for the last week or so. Suddenly not as strict and more caring. But I can't tell you what is going on." Gaius fell silent as Merlin handed him a cup.
Both drank it in silence before they went to bed. It was going to be a long day.
Merlin woke up just as the first light went through his window. Without a thought, he got himself dressed and ready for the day.
He was glad that Gaius had the thought to show him around the castle since he was sure he would have gotten lost to the kitchen if he didn't.
The cook gave him a slight smile when he asked with one he should take up to the prince. He had a feeling that she might seem friendly but that she is a strict person.
Merlin easily balanced the tray as he walked through the corridors, with some help from the other servants he made his way up to Arthur's room.
He easily knocked on the door, when there was only silence he knocked another time. But the silence kept up.
With a slight push, the door easily opened up. Merlin's eyes softened when he saw the prince asleep on his arms.
"Arthur," Merlin called out to the prince. It was barely a second before Arthur jumped up. There were dark circles under his eyes and his skin was pale.
Merlin wanted to sigh but instead, he put the plate down, walking closer.
"Are you alright?" Merlin's voice was soft as he looked at Arthur. He had a feeling that Arthur didn't get a lot of sleep.
Arthur only nodded, his mind still trying to catch up with why there was a servant in his room. When he finally realised a groan slipped out and he put his head back between his arms.
Merlin frowned slightly. "Come I am sure you have a busy day ahead. Time to eat." Merlin put the tray in front of Arthur.
His frown deepened when Arthur only played with his food.
"Are you going to eat?" Merlin couldn't help but ask after half an hour had passed and Arthur had taken about two bites.
"You can have it." Arthur pushed the plate away from him standing up. For a moment the world tipped and spin around him. He deepened his hold on the chair waiting for it to pass.
When he opened his eyes Merlin was in front of him. With a gentle push, he forced Arthur to sit down again. He grabbed the fork cutting a bit off chicking off, holding the fork out.
"You are not going to force me to eat." Arthur could feel a blush rising fast against his cheeks.
Merlin only smiled and held the fork a little bit closer. Arthur felt a sense of defeat and embarrassment running through him.
Merlin made sure he ate about half of his plate, even when Arthur had tried to push it away. When they were halfway through Arthur had pushed the plate away and glared at Merlin.
He felt uncomfortably full and didn't want to eat anymore. Merlin just smiled at him before he took the plate away.
When he got back to the room was Arthur fully dressed. He could easily see the stress lines around Arthur's eyes and for a moment he couldn't help but wonder how long it would take before the prince collapse.
I hope everyone is enjoying the story so far. Please tell me what you think of the story and constructive criticism is always welcome.
I can also be found on Tumblr lover-of-midnight