As Odin stood, glaring down at Callum, Arthur frowned. He didn't know what to do… and he was afraid of what Odin was going to do in retaliation for the boy's crime. With a snarl, the king reached out a hand and grabbed the little boy by the collar of his tunic. He began to shake him violently.

"You good for nothing little… I oughta have you horsewhipped… you're going to regret this!"

As Odin spat threats at the child, Callum's terrified green eyes met with Arthur's. The king swallowed hard as he saw the pleading in those eyes.

Oh, boy… he turned away, even though it broke his heart. What can I do? You're his servant, a member of his kingdom… I can't… there's nothing I can do.

Arthur did his best to ignore the screaming behind him, holding his wine goblet to his lips with shaky hands. However, as a sharp slap echoed throughout the feast, the king whipped back around.

"He's just a boy!" He snapped, before he could think twice about it. Callum's cheek was red from where Odin had backhanded him. "Enough… he's been punished, leave him be."

Silence. The whole feast had gone deathly quiet as the people stared at the two kings. Odin allowed Callum to slip from his hands and the boy fell to the ground with a whimper.

"What." Odin hissed. "Did you just say?"

"I said leave the child alone." Arthur repeated, standing up.

Too late to fix it now, he mused. I might as well go all the way.

"He's my servant!" Odin roared. "How I discipline him is my business, not yours!"

Murmurs of agreement came from Odin's men… along with some of Arthur's… but Arthur couldn't back down now, he'd look like a coward… and besides…

He didn't want to.

He didn't regret what had been said.

"He's a little boy." Arthur growled. "He's not even ten yet… I just don't see the point in pounding a child!"

Merlin, having enough sense not to speak at the moment, had kneeled down beside Callum, making sure he was alright. Odin glared at him.

"The point," he growled. "Is so that he learns not to do it again."

Arthur grimaced as he had the odd feeling that he had heard those words from another king… many, many, years ago.


"I'm sorry, father." A little boy whispered, chewing his lip as he stood before the throne. The boy had blue eyes and golden hair. "I didn't mean to disrespect you! I just didn't understand why you had to kill that little kid!"

The boy's father, who sat on the throne, drumming his fingers thoughtfully against its arm, narrowed his eyes.

"That boy," he growled. "Was a sorcerer. He was evil."

The little boy shifted uncomfortably.

"He…he didn't seem evil." He offered hesitantly.

The king, Uther Pendragon, lifted his head. With a sigh, he beckoned the boy forward with his hand. Dragging his feet, the boy, Arthur, made his way over to his father. Uther stared right into his eyes.

"Magic is evil," he told him, voice cold. "Magic corrupts the soul, until there is nothing left…nothing left at all… that boy may not have meant us harm yet, but he would have. It is better to destroy a potential danger before it can become a real threat." His jaw clenched. "And you, how dare you question me in front of all our people?"

Arthur felt his eyes begin to water and he looked down at his feet.

"I just…" he swallowed hard. "He seemed so sacred… I didn't understand why he had to die."

"Arthur," Uther let out a breath. "No matter how you may feel about what I say, it is your duty as my son and as my prince to accept my judgment without question. You have to know that everything I do is for the good of Camelot. Do you understand?"

"Yes, Sire." Arthur choked. He glanced desperately at his father. "I didn't mean it… I do respect you, father!"

Uther didn't look at him.

"You are confined to your chambers for the next week." He declared. "I'm very disappointed in you, Arthur."

Arthur's heart shattered. With a nod, he turned and stumbled away, blinking back tears.

"I know you don't understand yet, but when you have your own son, you will." Uther called after him. "I do this, so you'll learn never to do such things again. I do it for your own good."


Shaking his head clear, Arthur suddenly did something that he would never understand.

He grabbed Callum up from the floor and shoved the little boy behind him.

"He's learned enough from you." Arthur murmured, trying to keep the rage from his tone. "If he's such a useless servant, I'll take him off your hands."

"You…" Odin's eyes flickered with fury. "Are you trying to steal my sla-servant?"

"Of course not." Arthur assured him. He knew he needed to de-escalate this situation before it became a battle between his men and Odin's. "I only mean to say, I'd be willing to take him from you… I'd even be willing to pay."

Odin's rage turned to curiosity.

"You'd be willing to pay," he echoed, disbelief clear in his tone. "For that useless brat?"

Callum ducked his head, tears full out pouring down his face at this point. Arthur nodded briskly.

"I've been needing a new servant anyway," he swallowed and then forced out the words. "He's young, he'd be easy to train."

"Ha!" Odin snorted. "Trust me when I tell you that's not true… I'll tell you what, you want the good for nothing rat? Fine, take him. But I expect that gold you promised before we leave… Now let's see… how much do I want?"

As Odin listed out his price for the boy, Arthur glanced down at Callum. The red splotch on the boy's face had become an all-out bruise.

He needs something put on that, Arthur thought. Before it swells anymore.

"I said, is that a deal!" Odin snapped. Arthur blinked, looking back up at him.

"Sure." He muttered distractedly. "That sounds fine."

As Odin smiled in satisfaction and sat back down, Arthur whispered to Merlin.

"Take him somewhere and treat that bruise."

Merlin gave the boy a gentle nudge and the two took off out of the feast. Arthur sat down slowly, his mind racing.

Did I just… buy a new servant?


Author's Note-

Hey, guys! I'm so glad so many people are enjoying this story! I'd just like to say thank you to all those who took the time to read and all those who reviewed! and don't worry, I've only just started this story!

There's a whole lot more to come!