When Arthur exited the mansion, he didn't anticipate to see Merlin looking disheveled. His outfit was a mess and his hair was sticking up. He almost felt concerned for Merlin. Hoping to just go home, he made his way down the stairs, looking back at Merlin again. That's when he saw it. A missing rogue standing directly behind Merlin who looked ever so clueless. Arthur glared, seeing the rogue grab at Merlins hair, exposing Merlins neck. Arthur felt a sort of rage he hasn't felt in a long time as the Rogue bit down. Arthur shot forward, using his ability and grabbed the man's hair, ripping him off of Merlin.
Arthur threw the Vampire against the ground, seeing the Vampires blood filled smirk. "The great Arthur Pendragon." The man said. "Who would have known he'd have a soft spot for a servant." The Rogue leaned up, looking Arthur in the eyes. "He said you were different up close. Lucky for us, we can look you in those cursed eyes."
Arthur growled. "Who is he?"
The Rogue chuckled. "Who do you think? The King himself." The man looked over at Merlin who was gripping his neck tight. "I'd keep that servant close. The Rogues will be targeting him."
Arthur scoffed. "Why him? He's just a servant."
The rogue rolled his eyes. "Dull is something he failed to mention." He shot. "If you plan to kill me, do it. If not, shall I finish your friend off there?"
Arthur had heard enough, using his strength he ripped out the rogues heart, watching as the man turned to moss on the stone ground. Arthur wasted no time, walking over to grip Merlins shoulder. Almost immediately, Merlin had fainted in his arms. Arthur caught him, wrapping his arm around Merlins shoulders. He gripped Merlins chin, turning to see the injury. It looks like two deep cuts, the blood making it look worse than it was. Arthur sighed, bending down and carrying Merlin bridal style to the car.
The only things on his mind were why the Rogues would be after Merlin. Why was he important? It was one thing he needed to bring up in the next meeting. The driver opened the door, trying hard to keep his eyes away from the injured servant in the Masters arms. Arthur placed Merlin on the seat, scooting in next to him, he kept Merlin upright, careful not to jostle him. As they drove off, Arthur immediately phoned a doctor for a housecall. Of course the doctor was less than eager to get out of bed, he couldn't refuse a Pendragon.
When They pulled up to the mansion, Merlin had stirred slightly, but failed to remain awake. Once the car door opened, Arthur stepped out, turning back to collect Merlin in his arms. Once he was, he turned towards the mansion, giving a friendly nod to the driver, retreating up the steps to the mansion. When he reached the entrance, the door swung open, revealing Gwaine standing there with the doctor. Gwaine's eyes shot wide when he saw the state of Merlin who looked nearly dead in Arthur's arms. The only state to show he was still alive was the flush of color on his cheeks and his chest rising and falling lightly.
"What happened? Is Merlin okay?" Gwaine asked, watching as Arthur stepped into the Manor.
"A minor run in. Enough questions." Was all Arthur said, heading for the stairs with the doctor on his tail.
Gwaine bit his tongue, watching them disappear near Merlins quarters. He huffed a breath, closing the door and disappearing near the kitchen where the other servants remained with a worried cloud over their head.
Arthur entered Merlin's quarters, setting him on the bed. Atkus, the doctor, immediately went to work, unbuttoning Merlins shirt, he peeled the shirt down his shoulder, exposing his neck so he could clean it. The more he wiped, the more the injury presented itself. It was two deep holes, but because Arthur ripped the Vampire off of Merlin, it created deep cuts that required at least four stitches for each one. Arthur watched as Atkus started to stitch the wound.
"Taking Manservants on quests is going to be your downfall, Pendragon." Atkus says, looking over his shoulder at the hovering Arthur.
"I don't need a lecture. You are here for a job. Do it." Arthur snapped, walking over to the window, standing next to it.
"No ones here to lecture you." He explained, finishing the last stitch. "I am telling you the truth. All of your manservants last one quest before they quit. This is exactly why." He explained, pointing at Merlin.
Arthur looked over at Merlin who was still sweating, some blood on his skin and his clothes. Arthur sighed, taking his gaze away. "Everyone knows the curse of this Manor. Of me. They ignore the warnings and still work here." He ran a hand through his hair. "I am not responsible for the idiocy of people."
"Ignorance." Atkus accused, wrapping Merlins neck. "They work here because they want to meet the great Pendragon. Taking them on missions is your way of scaring them off. Merlin may not be here when you wake next. What will you do then?"
Arthur shrugged. "Find a new Manservant." He looked at Atkus who was finishing the final touches. "If they can't handle the real world, why should I employ such people? They are expendable." Arthur walked back over to the door, reaching for the handle, he turned it. "One who isn't afraid to stay by my side despite the danger are the ones that are worth keeping close. We will see when he wakes what side he decides to take." Arthur explained, exiting the room.
Atkus shook his head at Arthur, finishing the bandage wrap. He made sure to look Merlin over in case he missed anything else worth examining. Once he was certain he got it all, he tucked Merlin in, leaving some pain pills and antibiotics on his night stand before exiting the room as well.
Arthur walked by the kitchen, seeing the staff standing around. He paused, sending them a look they avoided. "He is fine. Sleeping it off. When he wakes, send him to my study." He explained, retiring for the night. The staff blew out their breath they were holding.
"I have never seen Arthur take this much care of a manservant before." Lancelot says.
Gwen shrugged. "Merlin seems like a different person than the ones he's employed in the past. He was curious about Arthur and asked a lot of questions. The others were only interested in money and the dirt on Arthur." Gwen explained, fiddling with her skirt.
Leon chuckled. "We will see if he's different. All the other manservants leave Arthur after one quest. I wonder if Merlin will do any differently."
Gwaine let out a defeated sigh. "We won't know until he wakes. We should get some rest. It's getting rather late."
The others agreed and decided to follow Gwaines words. The manor growing silent as they retired to their beds.
When mid afternoon hit, Merin started to stir, his eyes slowly opening. They felt heavy against his eyes, but he forced them open. The sunlight shone into his room, making his eyes squint at the brightness he was not used to. He gulped, his throat feeling thick and dry. He turned his attention to the door, seeing it was cracked slightly. His neck throbbed. Slowly he sat up in his bed, leaning against the bed board. He reached his hand up and grazed the bandages, everything finally coming back to him.
The Rogue that attacked him. Arthur saving him. All of it made his head spin as he gripped the blanket under him. He didn't know if he was okay with Arthur going on such dangerous missions, but he didn't want to leave him alone to deal with them alone. It was against his morals. He may have gotten injured this time around but he could guarantee it won't happen again. He underestimated the amount of hunger Rogues had for the chases, next time he will be ready.
He heard a soft knock on the other side of his door. Merlin straightened up in his bed, clearing his throat. "Come in." Merlin says, his voice a bit scratchy.
The door opened and in came Gwen who had a soft look on her face. "You're awake. I'm glad." She walked over, sitting on the edge of the bed. "How are you feeling?"
Merlin shrugged. "My neck is sore but i've had worse." He explained. That much was true. He was beat as a kid by people who considered him a freak and they broke bones. This was a more frightening experience than a painful one. "How is Arthur?" He asked.
Gwen was a bit surprised at Merlin's bold use of his name, but didn't correct him. "Master if fine. He actually requested your presence when you awake." She explained, slowly standing up. She pointed to the chair right next to Merlin. "Your new outfit is right next to you."
Merlin smiled. "I will ready and head to the Masters Study. Thank you, Gwen."
Gwen curtsied, exiting the room. Merlin deflated against the pillows, but quickly recollected his energy. He threw his legs over the edge of the bed, reaching for the clothes, stripping out of his bloody old ones and put the new ones on. The only difference was the shirt was a Dark silver gray and the vest was black. Other than that the others were the same.
Merlin sucked in a breath, fixing his hair before exiting the room, seeing the hallway lit with natural light of the sun. He noticed the hallway was empty of staff, giving Merlin a weird tingle in his stomach. He made his way towards the study, climbing down the stairs. When he passed the kitchen, he saw the staff standing around, laughing. It brought a smile to his face seeing them so lively despite the chaos last night. He kept walking until he stopped in front of Arthur's study.
Sucking in a breath, he knocked on the door, hearing some shuffling on the other side. The door opened within seconds.
"Merlin? I'm surprised you are awake and walking." He explained.
Merlin shrugged. "It's not that bad of an injury. It's just cuts." He explained, looking up at Arthur, but didn't get past his lips. "You wanted to see me?"
Arthur nodded, stepping back. "Come in."
Merlin did so, taking in the study. It was filled to the roof with books and chandeliers. The walls were red and gold as well as the drapes. The floor was a dark chocolate brown tile that complimented the red and gold. The windows though to Merlins surprise were blocked out completely, giving a more claustrophobic look to the room.
Arthur closed the door, walking past Merlin he made it to his desk, leaning against it. He folded his arms, his eyes searching Merlin. They stood in silence for a long minute until Arthur spoke.
"Now you have seen a real mission. What are your thoughts?" He asked.
Merlin gulped, his eyes still taking in the magnificent study. "It was surprising. I didn't expect it to be so cut and dry as it was. The Rogue that attacked me must have acted like an attack dog, giving me a reason they were expecting someone to appear." Merlin explained.
Arthur was taken aback slightly, not expecting Merlin to give that kind of an answer to his question. He was expecting something on why he was taken with him, not a theory.
"I must be honest. I didn't expect that kind of an answer. I was expecting a spiteful speech." Arthur explained.
Merlin was confused, his face showing it clearly. "Why? Because of an injury?" He asked.
Arthur nodded. "You're not the first manservant that was injured on the job. They usually have some... colorful words for me when they awake."
Merlin chuckled. "It was a quest. Injuries are inevitable when it comes to dealing with Rogues. Besides I have had worse." Merlin cleared his throat. "Now the quest, do you suspect they knew someone was going to be there to put a stop to them?"
Arthur was honestly dumbstruck at Merlins nonchalant attitude, but decided to go along with it. "Yes I believe so. This is the conspiracy we have been dealing with the past few years and the number of rogues seems to be tripling. Whoever is behind this wants the Vampires to be the center of attention." He explained.
"Which means the sorcerers behind it are staying out of the picture. What are they waiting for?" Merlin asked.
Arthur thought back on the words the rogue had said about Merlin being a target for them. It made him wonder if Merlin would still be a target if he wasn't under the sigil of the Pendragon Manor. "The rogue that bit you, told me he was targeting you. Any idea why you would be on their list?" Arthur asked.
Merlin swallowed, knowing this answer. He was one of the most powerful warlocks to live. Of course whoever is behind these attacks would want him. Swallowing he decided to lie. "It could be to get under your skin." Merlin says.
Arthur sighed. "I suppose." He sucked in a breath, standing straight he walked around his desk and took a seat. "You may take your leave. I won't be needing you for the rest of the day."
Merlin nodded. "If it is okay, may I leave the manor to visit my Mother?" Merlin asked.
Arthur shrugged. "I don't see why not. Be back before nightfall."
Merlin bowed. "Understood." He turned away, walking out of the study. He nearly collapsed against the door, all his energy seemed to leave him, making his legs turn to jell-o. He didn't expect that to be so tense but his body seemed to expose him. He shook it off, making his way to his room to change into civilian clothes.
Arthur on the other hand, kept looking at the ceiling, glaring at the gold embroidery. Merlin was certainly one for the history books. Arthur was almost glad Merlin didn't take the injury to heart. He was one Arthur was fond of and losing him would have made him grow even colder. For some reason, Merlin seemed to even Arthur out and the staff was noticing it as well. What will the future hold for them?
