16. October. 2019

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I don't own Merlin (BBC).

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When Arthur is 21 years old Merlin is 19½ to 20 years old. (21 years - 10 months - 1 to 6 months).

Arthur is an adult with 21 years. In this story woman are too.

Camelot is around 1000-1200 .

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Merlin couldn't think that this happened. She couldn't. Merlin is a beautiful woman and a warlock. She was 19 years old when Merlin's mother send Merlin to Camelot. The mother's friend sent Merlin to a friend. The friend was the old male healer in Camelot who looked nice. Merlin became his ward.

Perhaps some things would be better if she would have did the Camelot trip alone, or perhaps not.

~`| • Ππ÷ק¶∆^″°∞≈{}\[]«≥∅ ¥¡¿←

Arthur looks over to Merlin. She has been behaving differently. At lunch she had been the usual but when shen she brought him his dinner, she was differentl. Arthur can't put his finger on the reason. They haven't been hunting for two weeks. That wouldn't be it because she was fine at lunch. There wasn't a hunt planned. He didn't train with Merlin today. Arthur had given merlin some hour as free in the afternoon. She only had to polish his armour and than bring his dinner and clean his room. But there wasn't much to clean if you compared it to the usual work. That couldn't be it. Arthur thinks back did he say something? No. He didn't. He was actually nice to Merlin. Perhaps the old healer send Merlin to collect plants. But if it would be something like simply extra work than she would have been ranting about the healer. Arthur looks at Merlin. She hasn't said much since she came into his room. When he tried to get Merlin to talk with some comment that usually worked, she didn't react or just said something short. She has been cleaning slowly and finding new things to do. She started doing this when he ate his dinner and came back to do more after she took the dishes away and came back. Arthur read and wrote some letters while she kept doing it but he has had enough. He is going to force Merlin to tell him why Merlin looks like. He couldn't say how. It is a disturbing face.

"MerIin. Don't you think that the room is clean enough?", asks Arthur. Merlin looks up and tries: " I still could." " No.", Arthur says, "I want to know what is going on. Merlin. Trust me." Merlin: " I trust you. Can I stay in your rroom today? "

Arthur: " What?" "Before the fire. Just before the fire on the floor.", says Merlin and that says quieter: " I just want security for my last night. Freedom for one night. I am afraid he will be in my room." Arthur still understands the words. He stands up, controls his anger, walks to Merlin and stands before MerIin. They look into each other's eyes. Arthur says: "I will help you Merlin. Tell me what happened." Merlin can't keep it together after he said this. She starts to cry, breaks down and tells him the complete story. Arthur never saw Merlin brake down.

"He just gave me away. I don't have a choice." He holds Merlin. He stays silent until she stops sobbing and than asks Merlin to start at the beginning.

"When I finished polishing your armour and had the afternoon free, he told me to sit down and that he had to tell me something. He said that he found a good partner for me. He told me that tomorrow I'm going to look pretty while it happens and that I should behave. I told him that he isn't my mother and that he isn't even allowed to make a contract but he said that I became his ward when my mother sent me to him."

Arthur is still stressed but he relaxes a bit and says: "Merlin. You would have to say 'Yes.' to it. He perhaps can negotiate a contract but he can't sign it for you. You can simply say 'No.' and I will be there too." "That won't work. I already told him that but he said that I can't decide about it.", Merlin says and sobs once. Merlin: " Do you remember when you told the king that I have a mental disease and that the fake nobles when the king asked if I have mental problems and he said that he is looking into it?" Arthur is confused about the "fake noble" part but he still nods. Merlin: "You said it to protect me and persons found it funny but he is now using that against me. He is the healer in Camelot. He said that he officially said that I can't decide and sign it because I have a mental disease and that he will decide for me. He is the healer in Camelot and they will take his option and even the king would agree with him. I can't say 'No'. He perhaps could use that reason even after I'm 21 years old. How could Gaius to this to me? Tomorrow a man will legally rape me. I won't be able to do something about it because between partners it isn't rape. Arthur. I can't do that. And than he says that it will be good for me. He is going to sign that shit contract tomorrow and I can't stop him. I could run away. Leave Camelot before the morning but I don't want to leave You." Arthur is shocked and warmed. She isn't fleeing because she wants to stay with him. "What do you know of the contract? Perhaps it has a loophole. What if that man takes you away?"

Merlin tells him that the contract specifics that she has to stay in Camelot, that she will work for Arthur often until she gets pregnant and that she has to always be available to the healer to do work for him. Arthur is angry and pulls MerIin closer to his body. He says that he won't let them do this to MerIin. Arthur: "That's why you wanted to sleep in my room." Merlin: "I feel protected with you and I wanted to have this one night with you. I wanted to know that I was secure this night. Can I stay the night." "You can but we will find a way out of this first." Merlin asks: "How?"

Arthur takes Merlin's hand and goes and wakes up the old man who takes care of the documents and library in Camelot. The genealogist and keeper of the royal library. Geoffrey of Monmouth should know how to take Merlin out of the contract.

Arthur wakes Geoffrey who isn't happy about it but Arthur is the Prince. Geoffrey is surprised with them but asks them into his chambers. Arthur asks him about Merlin's situation and the contract. Geoffrey knows about the contract. There was talk about Merlin's mental disease and that's why he doesn't like the woman in his library. In addition Gaius already gave his healer's professional option. Geoffrey thinks that Merlin has a good deal. The future partner isn't a Noble but he has influence and money and wants a beautiful young ferwoman and childrenwoman. A good match. Arthur gets angry and shouts at him that Merlin doesn't have a mental disease. She just doesn't know when to be silent and that she perhaps is an idiot. Arthur asks for solutions. Geoffrey agrees.

Geoffrey: "I can't help you with the signing. Gaius is Camelot's healer and the king will agree with him. If she won't leave Camelot, if that would even help, than she will have to do something which will stop them to be able to sign the contract."

Arthur asks, lightly blushing: "You mean Merlin has to lose the virginity?"

"No.", Geoffrey says, " That wouldn't work. There is a reward in the contract if she is a virgin but it isn't necessary. Sadly. If there is a different, already signed contract than they can't sign the actually contract. If she already has a partner, they can't partner the woman. But everything would have to happen before the morning or at least before tomorrow noon. Do you ave somebody who would do that? " Arthur looks questioningly at Merlin who shakes the head.

Arthur asks: "Geoffrey. Is there any other way? Anything?" Geoffrey stops walking around and turns around and says: "An official Mistress would work too. But it would have to be to someone that has the same or a higher standing than the landowner or they could ask the king to decide. I will have to look at some books. Wait outside while I get dress. If someone else asked me, I wouldn't do it at this hour. My Prince."

Arthur and Merlin walk outside.

Arthur pulls Merlin behind a statue where they can quietly talk.

Arthur: "What do you think? Merlin."

Merlin: "There is a way out. I didn't think that I had that option."

Arthur: " Would you be fine with a Mistress. It is a lot lower than a partner and you would have to find someone who won't leave Camelot. Most likely other men wouldn't want you for a partner afterwards." Arthur left out that most men would want sleep with a mistress too."

Merlin: " You would think less of me, wouldn't you?"

Arthur is surprised that that is what is important to Merlin. He says: "No. I wouldn't. It doesn't matter if you are a mistress."

She smiles. Merlin: "If it would mean that I can stay with you, than I could do it. Mistress means that I could walk away the man if something happened, doesn't it? You would still want me with you? Arthur?"

Arthur: "Yes. I won't push you away. We will have to ask Geoffrey about Mistresses. It isn't an area which I learned about. Do you know somebody who would want a mistress? Before the morning? Someone that You would want to be with?"

Merlin smiles. She says: "I would want someone who I can trust. I guess but I don't know somebody who would do it before tomorrow. Or someone who would be powerful enough. Perhaps he finds something in the books?"

~`| • Ππ÷ק¶∆^″°∞≈{}\[]«≥∅ ¥¡¿←

Geoffrey takes them to the royal library. After 30 minutes he tells them that being a mistress stops the contract that Gaius made. The king could negate every non-noble and some forms of Noble Mistress contracts.

Arthur: "I didn't know that Camelot had a big history with mistresses?"

Geoffrey: " Camelot and some houses too. So Merlin. Do you know someone who wants a Mistress before the morning? Preferable a Noble?"

Merlin looks at the floor and says: "No." Geoffrey: " I can't help you without a man who wants you." The old man turns around to put the books away.

Arthur looks at MerIin and makes a decision. He asks: "You said that some houses had a history. What about the Pendragons? Could I take Merlin as a Mistress without the king's interference or permission?" Merlin gasps. The old man freezes. Arthur doesn't completely know why he asked this but he wants to know if could help MerIin with this. Arthur blushes.

Geoffrey: "You shouldn't do that. Potential future partnership could say 'No' to you if you have a mistress. What about children? I understand that you want to protect the woman but doesn't it go too far?"

Arthur: " Just answer the questions. "

Geoffrey: " The Pendragons have a history with mistresses. Their laws allow that you can take a Mistress without permission but a king or the head in the house can negate some forms of it."

Merlin: "Arthur. You can't." Geoffrey looks between them and says that he will leave the two alone. It looks like the woman will show the prince about the bad idea.

Merlin says:" You can't do this. You don't like me. What about the woman who you like? Gwen?"

Arthur: "Shouldn't I know better who I like? Why do you think that I want Gwen?"

Merlin: "When the five kings were in Camelot, there was a spell on you and Gwen's kiss broke the spell?" Arthur: "And?" Merlin: "It worked because you have feelings for each other." Arthur: "That doesn't mean that it had to be love or strong like. Perhaps it reacts to the person who you fancy at the moment or which you find attractive? Like changes. Even if I liked Gwen at the time, it doesn't mean that I still do. And I remember that you kissed me too. On the cheek. How do you know that that kiss didn't make a difference." Merlin mouth opens and closes. She asks: "Do you want Gwen?" Arthur: "I think that I could spend my time with Guinevere but it wouldn't be my first choice. It would be enough but it wouldn't be my wish or love." Merlin stars at him.

"What do you think?", Arthur asks Merlin.

Merlin: " It could hurt your future partnerships?" Arthur: "I don't care about them. I don't want an arranged partnership." Merlin: "I would never force you to do this. Not for protection. If you are doing this because you promised me to help?" Arthur "Merlin. One would think that you don't want to be my Mistress. Am I ao bad that you would look don't on being my mistress?" Arthur asks the last question sadly and hurt. "No!", Merlin says, " I don't look down on you or on being your mistress. Arthur. You are a compassionate and good man. I just don't understand how I could give you anything in return. Why would you do this for me? I amnot worth much."

Arthur says: "You are worth much. Merlin. You are with me and I can talk to you. I don't usually say it but you are my friend. You don't treat me like the others do? I wouldn't lose anything and would help you. And others wouldn't be able to separate us. I don't want to lose you. I like the idea that you will be at my side in the future. It means much to me that you were thinking about staying and being raped to stay with me. I will not let that happen. And I don't like the idea that some man touch you like that. We could do it without. Without you know. Actually sleeping together. I promise I wouldn't force myself on you."

Merlin is shocked and touched. "I wouldn't force myself on you too.", says she, " Arthur. Do you really want to do this? Without my problem, would you be fine with this?"

Arthur thinks and says: "Yes. I am fine with it. You? Without the threat, would you?" Merlin: " I trust you. We protect each other. You're nice, compassionate, have a good heart, do the right things, care for your persons and Camelot. You are my friend. I would rather be your Mistress than someone else's partner. And what's more important: I would like to be your Mistress. YOURS." Merlin blushes strongly. Arthur smiles and quietly says: "Mine." Both blush.

Arthur asks if he should get Geoffrey. Before he goes, Merlin stops him. Merlin: "What if there isn't the option and we have to sleep together?" Arthur: "I won't force myself on you!" Merlin: "I know. I won't force myself on you! And. You couldn't force yourself on me because. Because I wouldn't be against it." Arthur's eyes become big. Merlin says: "If you wanted to sleep with me, I would let you. You would have had my permission in the past and you have it in the future. I don't think that you want to. I just give you permission." Arthur is blown away. He blushes. He feels warm. This woman is doing so much for him. He smiles at Merlin.

After a longer silence Merlin says: "I know that you don't want me and I wouldn't force myself on you. I just wanted you to know that you wouldn't do it against my will."

"Merlin.", Arthur stops Merlin., " I know. And. And you wouldn't force me. I wouldn't say that I don't want you. I would like to have you. If you would want it too. I'm not saying we should do it now but if we decide that we want to, I would like to do it and you would have my permission too."

Arthur and Merlin both relax, blush and there is still some tension.

They laugh with each other.

"Does that mean that you accept to be my mistress?", Arthur asks Merlin. Merlin answers: " Yes. I will be your mistress. I'm actually looking forward to it." Arthur smiles; he is looking forward to it too. He feels like he has to add something. "Merlin. I don't want Gwen. I want you." Merlin's eyes are shining and she gives him a big smile. Arthur asks: "Before we get him, could we perhaps kiss?" Merlin nods. They lean to each other. They kiss each other. It is a small kiss. It is special. They want to kiss again but there have to do other things first.

They go to find Geoffrey to find out what they have to do.

~`| • Ππ÷ק¶∆^″°∞≈{}\[]«≥∅ ¥¡¿←

They find the old man quickly.

Geoffrey of Monmouth is an old and well educated Nobleman. He was nerved when he was woken up in the night. He thought that it was the king. It would be typical to wake him up because he needed something. Geoffrey told the king not to do it but it still happens sometimes. He was surprised to see the prince at the door. The Prince usually respects Geoffrey and is well behaved with older persons. He was even more surprised that Arthur and Merlin were at his door and how they looked. Arthur looked serious and ready to fight. The woman had tear streaks on the face. The combination had been irritating. He thinks that the prince will stop his crazy plan. It is nice to help the woman out of the contract but it would be crazy to make MerIin the prince's mistress. Geoffrey doesn't think that the woman will find someone else before the morning. Some of the ones that he can think of wouldn't be better than the man that Gaius chose. Why couldn't the thickheaded man talk with Merlin about the contract before this problem.

Arthur and Merlin walk to Geoffrey.

Arthur says: "Tell us about the the Pendragon Mistress law and the options we have where the king can't change it." Geoffrey freezes. That wasn't what he thought would happen and asks: "My Noble? Do you really want go through with this? The consequences." Arthur holds one hand up and stops him. Arthur: "I know what you want to say but you can't change my mind. We talked and agreed that we want to do it. Can I trust you that you won't tell my parent until it is to late?" Geoffrey: "If that is what you want to do, I won't stop you. Every Pendragon has the right to use the ancient Pendragon Mistress Law. It is your right and I'm not doing anything against the law. The ancient law is that every Pendragon can take a Mistress and the head of the Pendragons can't do anything against it but your parent is the king. So. He can do things against some Mistress forms. He won't need to be notified before it. The old Camelotian Mistress law is on your side too."

Arthur: "Tell me about the forms where the king can't interfere."

Geoffrey: "There are different forms and they have different conditions. You will want a White Mistress or Silver Mistress. That are two Mistress types which the king can't interfere with and would suit you well. Merlin. Are you still a virgin?" Arthur and Merlin turn red. "Geoffrey!", shouts Arthur. Merlin says: " It's fine. Yes. I never did more than kiss a boy." Geoffrey nods and says: "That's good. An old woman will still have to control and document the virginity." The old man observes Merlin's reaction. It looks like she didn't lie.

Geoffrey explains: "White and Silver Mistresses have to be untouched before the first night and they won't be together with someone else. The king can't bodily-execute them because they are Mistresses.

White Mistresses were historically used if the the future mistress wasn't accepted or they couldn't partner because there was an already existing partnership or an existing arranged partnership. A White Mistress and the Mistress's keeper can't be separated. It is fixed. It means that you can't in 1 or 30 years decide to separate because you feel like it. You would be bound together. Bastard children wouldn't be completely recognised. There are illegitimate.

Silver Mistresses are like White Mistresses but have some differences. Historically, Silver Mistresses were used like White Mistresses. Silver Misstresses are almost like legal partners. They are the highest mistress form. A Silver Mistress and the keeper can't be separated too. It is like with the White Mistress. You would be bound together. The prince would officially acknowledged the bastard children. The children would be recognised as royal and legitimate. When you are king, you can change it but until than they wouldn't be able to have a official claim to the throne. The actual king wouldn't allow that. There also would be more freedom with this form.

My Prince. There are other contracts. Shorter time frames."

Arthur: "But the king could change them or Gaius could make a new contract."

"Yes.", says Geoffrey, " A White and Silver Mistress contract are the only ones except the Red Mistress contract and some unusable mistress forms where the king can't interfere. You will have to think about this carefully. "

Merlin asks: "Why didn't you explain the Red Mistress?" Geoffrey says: "A Red Mistress is also called a Child Mistress. The contract ends when there is a child or there is prove that one person is barren. And if you are thinking about taking this option and simply not sleeping together. It wouldn't work. Red and especially White and Silver Mistresses have to consume it. An older woman controls the White and Silver Mistresses before and after the first time. Red Mistresses are controlled for around 7 weeks before the first night and the king could negate the contract before that. So. That wasn't an option." Geoffrey looks at them and notices that both are frozen and have red faces and wide, big eyes. It looks like they thought that they could do this without actually bedding each other. It looks like it will be the first time for the prince too. The prince is so different than the king. Geoffrey knows that he has to let them talk about it and he needs to get a something special. If this should work than he has to do everything necessary for them. He says: "I will leave you alone to talk about it. I will have to get some documents and other things that we will need. When I am back I will need an answer. So. I can call Noble Oswestry*. She is an old woman, has done this before and is well respected. Arthur. If you do this, than you really will take a Mistress. And Merlin. If you do this , you will be his Mistress."

While he walks away, he starts to think. He didn't see anything that would show a mental disease. Could his old friend really did something like this?

~`| • Ππ÷ק¶∆^″°∞≈{}\[]«≥∅ ¥¡¿←

After 30 seconds Merlin and Arthur turn to each other. They are still blushing.

Arthur starts talking: " I meant what I said. I will not force you. It is your decision if we do this. If you want to be with me than I will do it freely and without being forced. Do you want to be bound to me? You won't be able to change your mind later. But if you don't want to, than I will get two horses and we ride until we're in Ealdor. We are in this together. " He holds kiss hand out. Merlin looks at him. She says: "I meant what I said too. You wouldn't force me; you have my permission. It is our decision. And if you really want it too, I would like it very much. I want to be at your side in the future. Like in the past or a Mistress. I don't want you to force yourself." " I want it too. And I don't want you to leave me. ", Arthur says. She reaches out and holds his hand. They stay like this for a minute. Looking at their hands that softly stroke eachother.

Arthur brakes the silence and asks: "Merlin. I promise that I will treat you higher than a mistress or a concubine. I promise I will treat you well and like a friend. Will you become my Mistress?" Merlin looks into his eyes and answers: "Yes. I want you." A tension which they didn't really realise until now, leaves them. They relax. They smile.

Merlin asks: "What form will we use?" "The Silver Mistress! I want you to have the highest protection, freedom and I want that, if we have children, they will be recognised. It will be close to a real partnership and. And I want that.", Arthur says. Merlin says: " I want that too." They hug each other and smile. Merlin than gets serious and says: "There is something about me that you have to know before you do this. I. Could we go outside of the Castle? I can't tell you it inside the castle." Arthur: "We don't have time for this. Can't you tell me tomorrow?" Merlin: "You might don't want me afterwards. And you have a right to know that I. That I." Merlin's throat blocks. "Merlin. It's fine.", Arthur tries to calm Merlin down, " Are you still the same person? The person you helps me, who drank poison for me, who is my friend, who is there for me, who calls me stupid names, who is a good person and tries to help others? Who wants me? Wants this?" Merlin nods and answers: "Yes." Arthur says: "Than it doesn't matter what your secret is. I like you like this. Even if you tell me that me something I won't like."

Merlin: "But?" "Even if you would be a criminal or a bodily-murderer. You would have had your reasons for it. Even if you look like a troll. It doesn't matter. Tell me the secret when you are ready to do it."

Merlin smiles and hugs him strongly. After a minute they separate and smile relaxed at each other. Arthur makes a serious joke: "Just don't start you eat horse dung." Merlin starts to laugh and than makes a disgusted face. She says: "I wouldn't eat horse dung."

They spend the short time until Geoffrey returns hugging and kissing each other.

~`| • Ππ÷ק¶∆^″°∞≈{}\[]«≥∅ ¥¡¿←

When Geoffrey returns, he finds them in each other's arms. The look good together. Geoffrey knows that he is doing the right thing. When they notice him, they separate but keep holding hands. Geoffrey smiles. Geoffrey: "I have what we need. What did you decide?"

They look at each other, smile and then Arthur Pendragon say: "The Silver Mistress." " thought so.", Geoffrey of Monmouth says, "Do you want this? Merlin." "Yes.", Merlin answers.

Geoffrey starts to write. Arthur asks if he could change the date on the contract. He agrees to change the date two days backwards. Some things are are normal, others are embarrassing. Especially the question when she had the last moonbleed. It was two days ago. They make that the official reason why Noble Oswestry and their first time happens now and not 2 days ago.

Perhaps Mistresses were called differently in Camelot but I'm going to use this word. Does someone know what the counterpart to Mistress is? Like employee- employer, pupil- teacher, girlfriend- boyfriend. There is the idea to call them consort. Since a Mistress is/was also called a kept woman, I decided to call them keepers. What do you think?

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*Noble Oswestry: If there is a real Oswestry, than I'm not talking about them. I just took the town's name, which was on a map, that I liked.

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