A Marriage that Started a Legend

by IJustShowedUp

Follows canon but with my own arranged marriage spin on it. What happens when Hunith makes a mistake and is forced on the run with her infant son? What happens when Camelot knights find her twenty years later? What happens when Arthur learns he's betrothed to a peasant boy? Will Merlin be able to stand among royalty? Will these two different boys survive each other? Review!

71. Chapter 71

The dark liquid was swirling ominously inside of it's container. The large ornate and silver bowl, a relic from times long ago in her past, doing it's job to keep it from spilling over the lip. Especially when it started to move, but it looked harmless at first. Just little swishes in the water until one could see that it was really making one large circular motion around the bowl, making one lap after the other until one may think it would never stop.

And from this swirling-mysterious as it was as it seemed to be moving on it's own-there was a picture-an image-slowly forming in the center of the circle. Shadows of light seemed to flicker in and out of existence before it had darkened enough to see a monster baring its yellow fangs as it emerged out of a body of water. The monster seemed to be made out of some kind of muck but that didn't slow it down nor did it stop it from sinking back into the water unnoticed.

And the woman standing over the ornate kind of bowl learned further in to study the picture as it shifted to another, nothing but the walls of the cave accompanied her with witnessing any of this. The second image formed inside of the basin showed a peasant woman who stood at one of the many pumps Camelot city had. She situated her bucket underneath the pump before pushing down onto the handle of it. Water gushed out of it, the same water that came from where the muck monster was having it's swim, filling her bucket all the way to the brim with it.

The woman evidently didn't realize that there was anything wrong with the water because she picked up her bucket and wondered off to allow the next person to get their fill. It may have been better to just go without water for the next few days…

The image in the basin shifted again until it cleared enough for the courtyard just outside of Camelot castle to be seen. As well as the twenty or so bodies that had been found in the last day or so. All covered up in a white sheet, laying there as they waited until any time could be found to give them a proper burning. Not only to burn the disease but to send their ashes up in smoke as they wished them well onto the next life. The bodies were dropping so fast that they didn't even have the time to notify the families before the next body was being found.

And back in the safety of her little cave, safe away from the poison running amok through Camelot city but close enough that she was able to watch the city burn as it started to fall around itself, Nimueh smiled a wicked smile, her pained red lips spreading open with her pleasure.

Her plan was going off without a hitch. Now all she had to do was sit back and enjoy the destruction being wrought.

X

Arthur stood in front of his father, with hands tucked behind his back, and feet a good foot apart to give himself a broad statue. He tried not to show his nervousness, knowing that it would be seen as a weakness to his father if it went noticed. "You sent for me, father?" he spoke up, keeping his face hard and his voice steady.

It had only been an hour since Arthur had been-unceremoniously-thrown out by Merlin from his new chambers. So there was no way his father knew of what had occurred, unless the guards who had been there had headed straight to their king after they parted ways. If they did, they were going to regret it after he got to them during their next training session. After the way Merlin had treated him over the box thing, it was obvious that the stress of all of this was getting to him. The untold stress his father would bring into the mix would be enough-probably-to send Merlin right over the edge.

"Yes, Arthur." Uther said, not moving from his spot where he sat on his golden throne while glaring down his nose at his only heir. Arthur didn't allow his expression to shift for fear his father would know instantly what was wrong, if he didn't already. This was as far as Arthur would allow his protectiveness to go when it concerned Merlin. By not informing his father immediately of Merlin's increasingly growing worse mental state…Arthur knew that Uther would see this as a sign of disloyalty. Gaius had better put Merlin on the best treatment plan on this side of the country because he didn't think he could keep up this charade of everything being normal in front of his father before it came out. "I wanted to make sure that you were aware of where your consort is at this very minute."

Arthur felt this zing of pure panic shooting straight down his spine, making him stand as right as a ramrod, before he masked down on his features to look indifferent. "Of course I do, father." Arthur said honestly, even though he still somehow felt as if he was lying to him right through his teeth. "He's doing what you told me to tell him. He's being instructed by Gaius in the physician's chambers, trying to find a cure and all that. My consort was quite fascinated, something about getting stomach acid out of one of the victims…" he added the last bit on a whim, barely able to remember it among all of the useless chatter that went on up there in that bedroom.

Arthur had been hoping that his father had pulled him away after he'd returned to their search party because he wanted an incident report. A process report on rather or not they were any closer to finding this sorcerer than they had been that very morning when they'd first realized what had been going on. Arthur didn't have anything for him but that would have been better than asking about Merlin. Did that mean he knew Arthur had agreed to let Merlin stay by himself with Gaius for the time being? Surely he would have already demanded some kind of explanation if he did. Unless this was some kind of test that Arthur had failed already for not telling him…no, Arthur decided. He knew exactly what his father would tell him if he'd known. It would go along with the lines of getting Merlin and his arse back in his suite where it belonged and lock him in there until he was being more cooperative. But Arthur was more interested in Merlin being 'actually' cooperative. And if Gaius was able to get Merlin's outbursts to stop, he was willing to try this out.

"Good, good." Uther said, nodding his head to his heir. But he also sounded distracted, as if he had something else going on inside of his mind. It was as if Merlin wasn't the main topic of interest but just a starting point with what he wanted to get to. Which wasn't like his father at all, Arthur frowned. Uther had always been a very 'to the point' kind of guy and wouldn't hesitate to say exactly what he felt about a situation. And as king, it was his every right to be heard so Arthur had never faulted him for that personality trait. Even if he felt like he was usually on the wrong side of it. Uther still sounded distracted when he told Arthur, "Just make sure that you have regular check-in's on him, so that you know he's not roaming the streets. Who knows if he will contract the disease and spread it on to the rest of us, dirty as that boy is."

Arthur's lips thinned into a harsh line before he nodded his head. Since there was so little they knew of this disease, they really couldn't risk Merlin catching it and spreading it to the rest of them. Morgana had already long since sequestered herself away in her room for that very reason. But that problem seemed to handle itself as Merlin was no longer living inside the royal suites, not that Uther knew it. "Of course, I do agree completely, father." But Arthur knew that his father was probably still wishing that the disease would take Merlin. And even though Arthur usually referred to Merlin as this 'dirty peasant boy' the boy himself did seem to be capable of keeping himself clean. But Arthur could not say the same for his room. "I do try my best with keeping him away from all of the peasants anyway. He seems quite fond of them but I've been trying to curb his interests in another direction."

Arthur didn't really no why his father seemed to be making small talk about Merlin, but it did seem to be going well. His father seemed to be obvious about Merlin's sudden change in address so that was a good sign. He didn't need to know Arthur had completely failed in 'curbing' Merlin's interests away from all their peasant citizens. Making friends with serving staff, looking for a common job, moving out to live like a peasant. It was almost too much for one prince to be able to handle. Well, he'd at least managed to delegate one of his far to many responsibilities to someone else. Just before his father had dragged him away from the search party, he had managed to find this trusted guard to put on Merlin detail. And he was currently stationed right outside Gaius' chambers with strict instructions to keep him informed if an incident occurred with one of Merlin's 'outbursts'.

Uther seemed to come back into himself, as if he had just realized he was talking to Arthur about anything. And wasn't that just a bitch, the prince in question thought grudgingly but forced himself to pay attention when the king started to speak again, "As you should." he nodded his head down to his heir with great approval over this.

Arthur let that moment of pride wash over him for this one moment. It was a rare thing indeed-or ever-that his father showed any kind of approval in his actions. Or at least told him he was doing something right instead of just telling him everything under the sun that he had done wrong. Or you know, was kind of eluding in that direction…it still made Arthur hold his head a bit higher in regards, and the harsh mask he'd been holding onto seemed to crack a bit.

And like an addict, he couldn't help but want more of it. As well as a reason to complain to his father about what a pest Merlin was. After all, nothing brought people closer together than when they were hating on somebody else, "But Merlin is particularly stubborn and refuses to see reason. I am always catching him making friends with the servants or even wondering off to places he isn't supposed to be. It's been…particularly difficult, father. But nothing I can't handle. I'm currently working with him on where is supposed to be when concerning these topics."

Arthur might be frustrated-very frustrated with all that Merlin was putting him through-because everything he said or did seemed to fall on deaf ears around him, but he did know his father was a ruthless man who would take his punishments much further than Arthur did go. It was why he was careful to avoid details on anything Merlin had done, his father would have put a stop to it in an instant. There was no way Merlin would ever go to town again if his father ever found out he'd been looking for a job. Uther would probably have all the flowers burned and Gwen arrested on some false claims of treason if he knew about the 'flower' incident. And Merlin staying with the physician to calm his outbursts? Forget it. His father would rather have Merlin beaten into submission before submitting to his wiles. It was sorely Arthur's responsibility-as Merlin's husband-to teach Merlin their ways. That was probably the only reason he didn't confess to his father and let Uther deal with it anyway he saw fit. He didn't want his father to take care of his problems for him and have to admit he was clearly out of his depth with all of this.

"Really?" Uther asked, looking as if he was musing over this himself. Maybe he wanted a process report on Merlin, Arthur thought with wild abandon even as he steadied a blank and princely persona onto his face. Arthur could probably guess what his father thought in that moment, it was the same thing Arthur thought every time Merlin toed the line and acted out to get his attention. Things like how Merlin should be grateful for the opportunity he had been given to rise far higher into the ranks that he would have otherwise been capable of doing on his own. Things like how Merlin should show some grace and poise or how he could at least say a damn thank you to Arthur for trying to help him out and make his life a bit easier. Or at least make Arthur's life a bit easier when he could rest easy while knowing Merlin was doing exactly what he was supposed to be doing. Uther spoke up again, bringing Arthur out of his thoughts but it was once again a quiet mutter meant only for himself, "What a strange boy."

Arthur got a sudden-unnoticed by his father-strange look in his eyes. Thinking back to all the trouble Merlin was causing him. Thinking of our Merlin had literally jumped on his back and tried to take him down because he had thought Arthur was going to kill Gwen for the flower. How his face had gotten so red when Arthur had been lecturing him-malnourished cheeks turning flushed red with anger, eyes that seemed to glow an even brighter blue in the sunlight than ever before, mouth opened in defiance and shouting at him-back during the whole 'Merlin tried to find a job' crises. Or the way his face had crumbled, sitting on the floor as he stared at that stupid box Arthur had broken. The way his eyes had gone dewy and wet, filling with tears held back only from strength alone, before he had allowed anger to take him and thrown the thing at him. All of this could have been brushed aside when put apart as Merlin's unknown mental affliction acting up. But all of it together also painted a very different picture. A very perplexing one that made Arthur wonder if giving up his own birthright-his kingdom-would have been the easier choice in the long run instead of going through with the wedding and marrying him.

"Yes," Arthur agreed slowly, a strange kind of softness in his voice that hadn't been there any other time he'd talked about Merlin. He was usually harsh, or frustrated, or angry, or just about anything else under the sun. But he had never truly been…soft. Arthur almost didn't seem to notice it himself when he then finished with an even softer, "I suppose that he is."

Calling Merlin a 'strange boy' was more of an understatement than anything else. But that also felt like the only words Arthur could think to describe him with. Nobody else would yell at Arthur like he did, nobody else would keep thinking of more and more outrageous stunts that kept Arthur on his toes. Nobody else had ever frustrated Arthur as much, nobody else had ever made Arthur so angry that he would want to beat the boy himself but never going through with it either. Nobody else had made Arthur kill for them just to keep them safe, so 'strange boy' might fit more than he thought it had a second ago.

Arthur shook his head of those thoughts and let them escape him. Rather or not he was a 'strange boy' didn't matter. He still gave him more headaches than he was worth. Arthur opened his mouth to ask his father if that was all so that he could be excused and return to the search party. But Uther interrupted him before he could get the first sound to escape past his lips.

"I suppose that you'll just have to crush that part out of him." The king said with a wave of his hand. Cruel and dismissive, leaving it up to his son to crush anything peasant out of his husband one piece at a time.

Arthur's mouth shut with a snap, his hands clenched into fists behind his back before he relaxed them. "Of course father, I will see that it is done as soon as time permits." before he nodded his head graciously to his father. The king made it sound so easy, made it sound as if all it took was Arthur's direct command to make it so. And in retrospect, it usually only took Arthur's command for anybody to do anything around here. But Merlin…Merlin was an oddity that he couldn't quite place. Merlin was the epi-center of strangeness that liked to try and draw circles around Arthur for his own amusement. But Arthur also knew why his father was so callous, how important this was to their social ranking if Merlin was going to be uncooperative. Everything he did was a direct reflection on Arthur. And that line shot straight to the king as well. A person unfit to be a member of the Royal family was just a step away from the people considering the Royal family themselves 'unfit'. Just another disgrace Merlin would cause them if Gaius didn't help him.

"Speaking of time," Uther said as he tapped his fingers onto the arm of his throne where he sat the whole time. Looking down at his heir as if he was one of his subject's and not his one and only son. "There is a reason that I called you here. And unfortunately, this does also pertain to your consort."

Arthur let a slow breath leave his nose as he felt like he knew where this was going. So his father 'did' know that Arthur was permitting his consort to stay in the physician's chamber for the time being. His brain ran wild trying to find a suitable answer for when his father was questioning him on why this was. If one might want to be completely honest, not even he knew for sure why he was allowing it. Sure, it was for Merlin's health and to get better. All of the changes in his life had clearly caused him to spiral. But why did he not just channel his inner-Uther like he had been, enforcing his will over Merlin's instead of giving in like he had? It couldn't have been because Merlin was looking at him-the box crushed beneath his feet-as if he was some sort of monster… right?

Uther continued talking before Arthur was able to, tapping his fingers into more agitated on the arm of his throne, "I had been hoping it would pass as time went by us. But still, it's been a month since and I am still getting unwanted reports on the townspeople and the whispers and rumors that have spread among them." He spit this out, clearly he was defeating the idea of the peasants having any say on what was going on in his family. But in this one instant, they were actually right with their thoughts. "I have even have some of my noble companions asking me about it. And it is time for this to be dealt with."

Arthur didn't allow his mask to break even as he felt his heart kick up a notch. His king was going to be so disappointed in him when he realized just how little control Arthur had over Merlin. But Arthur steadied his shoulders and readied himself for the lecture that was going to come his way. "Yes father, I agree that this should be dealt with."

Arthur blamed the peasants, as well as the people Uther employed to walk around the kingdom and reported back to him anything they found was odd. It was because of them, Arthur was going to have to go back on his word. His father wouldn't allow Merlin to stay with the physician and it would be Arthur's responsibility to bring Merlin back here.

"Good." Uther told him with a single nod of his head. "Then I'm pleased that you won't be seeing your new friend anytime soon." He went back to looking through the parchments of reports in his hands. They were the death certificates that Uther had to press his signet ring to before they would be passed down to serving boy's to deliver to the families as well as offering 'condolences' during this time of crisis. As if Uther had the time to see to these personally.

Arthur came up short, not entire sure what his father meant by 'friend'. He had said the word kind of funny. Like he meant friend but at the same time, meant something entirely different than 'friend'. Not to mention, Arthur hadn't made any new friends. Especially not ones that his father would have any reason to disapprove of, "I'm…afraid I don't understand what you mean." He was ashamed to admit this failing.

Uther looked up from his paperwork and gave Arthur a raised eyebrow, "That woman you were with…" he paused here as he then struggled to remember her name. "The Lady Beckett. Lord Beckett's niece. You know, the one you gave your first dance to during your tournament celebration. Instead of putting on a show and dancing with your consort."

Arthur's mouth dried up a bit as he realized the turn in their conversation. First Morgana, and then Merlin, and then his own father was displeased with him. The first two he could've ignored and brushed aside with no problems about it. But his own father? Had Arthur really screwed up so entirely and not known about it? He knew Uther would have expected for Arthur to continue on with their charade and bring Merlin out for a dance-if only to please the noble families over their 'fairy tale love story'-and he would have done it even if he had to swallow his pride. But then Clarissa had shown up. Followed by Merlin leaving the dance far earlier than he should have. A party meant for Arthur also meant it was showing great disrespect by being the first to leave.

"May I ask why you are bringing it up now?" Arthur asked slowly, because the timing was all kinds of wrong. It was a month ago! If his father had rejected the idea of it, then why did he not bring it up that night? At least he could have done something about it during the night, unlike now where he couldn't do anything to fix it. He could have…what could he have done? He could have tracked down Merlin and dragged him back down to the dance, even if he felt as if his insides might shrivel and die at the thought of being forced to share a 'romantic' dance with him. Having to hold him close, feel every inch of him as Arthur led him across the dance floor-there was no way he would allow Merlin to do any of the leading-and hope that Merlin didn't go trodding on his toes too much. But it would have been the perfect opportunity to show the people that their marriage was real, an opportunity that Arthur had missed because he had been distracted by Clarissa.

Uther waved his hand, dismissive because his questions were far more important than his son's, "I am a very busy man, Arthur. I am even busier this week because of what has befallen our city." Even though he had only been panicking inside the privacy of his Royal chambers when he wasn't signing off these documents and giving his kingly consent to other things being done around the kingdom to ensure the least amount of casualties. But nothing they did seem to be working as three more bodies had been found before the sun had even risen. If things kept going as they were, Uther would have no choice but to put the castle itself on lockdown and cordon off the lower town. Actually…he might just do that anyway. Uther wasn't taking any chance on this disease spreading into the more noble district of the city. "And you cannot expect me to deal with everything that is going on as well as keeping an eye on your consort. That is sorely 'you're' responsibility."

Right, Arthur thought as the added weight he already knew landed squarely onto the back of his shoulders. It was his responsibility to be the perfect prince, to do what was right by his people and nothing else. It was always his responsibility to do what needed to be done to ensure they're well being: he needed to get married so that the kingdom would stay in their name. He needed to find this sorcerer so it's disease wouldn't wipe them all out. He needed to do whatever came next after he'd found them. And he needed to take care of Merlin as well: keep him out of trouble, keep him on the straight and narrow so that he will make their family look good. Keep him safe so that he doesn't feel assault inside his own home. Keep his mental well being in check so that his outbursts don't go over the top. Keep his father from pretty much finding out any of this added stuff he was forced to keep on top of. Including the whole: I did not actually bed my consort like I was supposed to, bit that not even Merlin knew about. All of this could have killed a lesser man, could have forced him down to his knees as he suffered with all of the weight of his responsibility's pressing down on him. Arthur himself could almost feel his knee's buckling but no, he had to be strong. He had to keep standing. He had to be the prince his people needed, even if his own mental well-being suffered from not being able to hold the load all on his own.

"Now," Uther said, shaking his parchments open as he turned back to look at them with only half an ear. "Are you going to explain the actions you took that night or not?"

Right, Arthur thought. He had to explain what he had been thinking the night he danced at his party with Lady Clarissa. And he knew his father wasn't the type of man that was going to accept any kind of half-cocked excuse. He had no reasons that would satisfy the king at all. It was best to just explain the truth before hoping his father wouldn't be too disgusted with him, "The Lady asked for me to escort her into a dance." Arthur said, ducking down his head into a bow. "And she did so in front of Merlin. And as etiquette would dictate due to that situation, I asked Merlin's permission. He did agree to the exchange and my dance with Lady Clarissa only lasted for one song. It would have been inappropriate for me if I had lingered for any longer than that."

Uther nodded to himself, musing this news over silently in his head. That was actually a good start. Arthur asking permission from Merlin would cease most of the talks going on. It would lesson some of the damage that might blow back on his own son if it had been known that Merlin agreed to the dance in the first place. Proper protocols and the etiquette needed to be kept in order to cease any kind of talks about affairs forming and such. With the consequences that would befall onto his family if those rumors were looked at more seriously, they needed to take every kind of precaution they could against it. Which was exactly what he told his heir, "Be that as it may, it was a risky move to agree to dance with her at all. You should have turned her down yourself, or at least waited a few more months so that it wouldn't look so strange. It might not had even been noted on if you had waited till after your first year of marriage had past. You should have taken the boy out with you instead and cemented your place as this doting husband that you need to be looked at as."

Arthur had always heard that the first year of a marriage was the hardest, but he had never really applied that to his own life. Until he had been married and found everyday a struggle of this back and forth game he seemed to be playing with Merlin. But the night of the party, they'd only been married for two months. So they should have still very much been in the 'honeymoon' phase of the 'relationship' they were supposed to be in. They should've been attached at the hip, whispering lowly to each other over sweet desserts. Not fighting in the streets. But as a Royal, Arthur should already know that some things were just unavoidable, a painstaking truth to Royal life. There were just some things that had to be done so that they could appease the masses. Even if that meant Arthur had to publicly and intimately dance with another male.

…His father probably would have had Merlin executed if the circumstances were different than they were. If Merlin and Arthur were just talking at the dance and Uther thought they'd looked a bit to cozy for his comfort. He would have found a reason to have Merlin sent right to the pyre for trying to 'taint' his son.

"I understand, father." Arthur said slowly as to clear his mind, his eyebrows furrowing to the center of his face as he tried to find the best wording to appease the king. His own guilty conscience nearly overwhelmed him because his father was right, he had lost sight of the bigger picture. This wasn't about him or what he wanted, it never was. It was entirely about his people and his kingdom and what needed to be done to keep order. To keep his throne and his birthright. "It won't happen again, and I doubt I'll be seeing Lady Beckett anytime soon. I believe she mentioned retiring to her family's estate after the tourney was over."

"It had better not!" Uther said in this sudden and sharp tone, his eyes going cold while he stared down his nose at his only heir. If Arthur had been less of a man, less of a prince, then he might have buckled under his king. It was clear Uther was talking to him not as a father would their son, but as a king demanding to have obedience from his subject. And like he always would, Arthur submitted. Which was something that should have cooled down his temper. Admitting that he was wrong, or that he could have done better, knowing that he could done done better…Uther would usually give him several different key points that he might have missed during whatever mission he was on and point out several flaws in what he was doing and how to do it better. Before letting him go. But not this time. Things were too precarious this time around. "If that Lady ever resurfaced, you shall keep your distance from her! We cannot give the boy any reason to come after us should he go discovering the truth! We could lose it all due to you and your negligence!"

Arthur tried not to show the wince on his face as his father yelled at him. And he could feel his vocal muscles clenching in his throat but only to force back the protest that was about to come out of his mouth. "But father," Arthur spoke slowly, keeping his voice as calm and precise as he could. "Merlin, he doesn't know about the clause in the contract. He does not have a clue what he could gain if he was able to prove anything like an affair."

Which he wasn't having. One dance with one lady he would probably never see again most definitely didn't meant that he was having an affair. So there was no reason for this lecture in the least. No reason to shout and scorn at Arthur for something that was entire Uther's fault. It was Uther that had signed it all those years ago. Not Arthur. And yet it was Arthur who had to pay the price for it.

Arthur speaking up only seemed to spark a rage through his father, because Uther was on his feet now, throwing himself out of his chair. His cold eyes were now lit with anger as rage danced in them, "And it won't be hard for him to find out!" Uther shouted, stepping down the steps to his throne and it took him everything to not step back. He was a prince, he could handle this. He could handle Uther's disappointment in him for failing him. "All that it would take is one wrong question to one of the councilmen. One who believes they need to answer him with the same respect that the men show us. And even he will be able to put the pieces together!"

Arthur tried to keep up his hard persona but his face seemed to just crumble in on itself without his permission. He knew that Uther was right. For all the times that he'd called Merlin a moron, told him he was stupid, or wondered what was wrong with him…Arthur knew that he had a brain in there somewhere. It was Merlin that had seen the knife coming at him before anybody else had, the night of their wedding when the witch had attacked him. It was Merlin that had figured out what Valiant was planning and then managed to cut off the head of a snake to bring to him as proof. Merlin was an idiot. But he was a smart one. One wrong question, probing at things he didn't understand…and the truth could spill over before they could contain it.

Uther seemed to see the look on his face and calmed down. Well, his voice was calmer but his eyes still looked as if they were one wrong word away from shimmering to a boiling over point. "You, Arthur, are the one that has been affected the most by this travesty. But every one of us will be affected by the actions that you decide to take. Remember that."

Arthur felt as if those words were practically seared into his brain and that nothing would make him forget them. The kingdom would be depending on him to make this work any way that he could. The kingdom depended on him not losing his throne to somebody who did not know how to wield it properly. "I understand, father." Arthur murmured softly under his breath, lowering his head down to his father again. His father depended on him to uphold their end of the deal.

Arthur knew why his father was so desperate to make this work. Because if they did loose the kingdom, Uther's twenty years of ruling would be for nothing. His father did not take all that time, making sure this kingdom would be a safe place, ready for the day Arthur took over as king himself. And to lose right into the hands and callous care of a peasant boy who didn't know what he was doing. Rather or not Merlin had some kind of brain in there, it did not mean he knew how to rule a kingdom. He and his father would be forced to watch it as the kingdom fell to ruins all around them. One of the greatest of the five kingdoms would be reduced to rubble, and seen as nothing more than a mockery or a kingdom lost to time till the day it faded into myth and legend. A kind of fate that was worse than death. His father would rather burn himself alive at the stake than see his kingdom becoming…that. It was why the shame burned so hotly in the back of Arthur's throat. Why he knew that he needed to do better as to not disappoint his father.

Arthur couldn't bring himself to say anything else, and more shame was heaped onto him when his father noticed his expression. It was his worse trait, Arthur thought. It didn't seem to matter how much he tried, how much he'd blocked everything out to try to become hard just like his father, his shame could always be seen.

Uther sighed, reaching out to cup his son's shoulder in a false hint of fatherly affection that felt too cold to actually be. But he did at least give Arthur some sage advice on what it meant to be king, "I know that this must be a very difficult time for you. Having to pretend and to act as if you love another man, and it's definitely a disgrace having to go so far in our little game of charades."

Arthur didn't say a word to any of this, even if he could feel his vocal muscles starting to act up again. To defend himself or protest even if he truly felt like this was all his fault. The two of them were here only because Arthur didn't swallow his pride and deny Lady Clarissa her dance. Because Arthur had allowed his own feelings and emotions-something that a king someday should have full control over-to rule his actions. His father would have never been the one to make all of the mistakes that he'd made if the positions were refused. His king would know better than to allow anything to get in the way of what was truly important.

Uther continued on, squeezing his shoulder in a rough manner, unused to showing any type of fatherly affection for his son, "We are unfortunately, ruled by the people. And as we are royalty, there are just some things that we have to fight through. This is something that you will only be able to understand after you have became king. Some things are just for the good of the kingdom."

Arthur's mouth was dry and while he hated it, hated this subdued personality that only his father could bring out in him, Arthur found himself submitting with his father again with one single nod of his head. "Yes, father. For the good of the kingdom." But he was barely able to hear himself saying it, a numb sort of emptiness feeling him. He was a bad son, he must be. Because he had this ringing doubt in the back of his mind, questions that Arthur already knew should never be asked. Like the big one: why? Why did being Royal mean that he had to be arranged to marry anyone, why did they allow an ancient contract to govern their moves. Nobody wanted it! Merlin's own family didn't even try to enforce it-they had ran away to escape it-so why was he forced to endure Merlin's company for the sake of keeping his kingdom afloat…

Arranged marriages were the norm among those of noble birth. But was it really worth it if nobody was happy with the results? Would the few items gained from marring anybody, rather that had been Merlin or another, was it really worth it?

Arthur thanked his lucky stars that this was the moment Uther had turned around to walk back to his throne. If only so he couldn't see the questions forming in his eyes, to see the hesitation as he refused to open his mouth to ask them. A good son would never question his father and he had already done that far to much. There was only one question that was going to be acceptable to his father during this time.

"What do you suggest I do father, to amend the situation?" Because Arthur had already made so many mistakes concerning what he should do about Merlin. He didn't think that he was capable of making the right choice on what to do. On how to fix anything other than promising to stay away from Lady Clarissa. It should be easy enough. He hadn't exactly been overly fond of her, and she was retired back to her family estate anyway.

Uther stopped just short of his throne before turning back to his son. Clearly he'd agreed that Arthur needed his help to fix things long before they spiraled out of control. "Well for one thing, you could start by wearing the ring of yours. Don't think for one second that I did not notice you've taken it off. I have obviously been lenient by not forcing the issue when it was first brought to my attention."

Arthur shot his right hand across himself to cup at his left. The finger he was supposed to be wearing his ring on was obviously bare to his touch. And hr felt this insane urge to tuck his hands into the pockets to hide his hands from view. As if he was a child who had just been found with his hands literally inside the cookie jaw. His pocket in question felt heavy all of a sudden, his ring like a burning ember inside of it, beckoning him to take it out and show his father that he wasn't a completely failure of a son. That he at least kept it on him just in case something came up and he would need to look the part of doting husband. But for some reason, he couldn't move towards it. Couldn't touch it. Couldn't even bare to look at it. A good son wouldn't have hesitated to put it back on, dutifully.

Uther continued on with this dismissive tone of his, not noticing Arthur's hesitance to act promptly, "We might have to go the game so to speak. The boy will be less inclined to take our home if he ever discovers the truth, if he is happy here."

Arthur's head snapped up, already feeling the sinking dread in his stomach. The image of Merlin on his knee's, eyes wet with broken remains of that box in front of him, burned in his mind. He licked at his lips, knowing that he was not going to like whatever Uther had in mind, "…Happy, father?"

"Of course," Uther said, looking displeased that he even had to say it, making Arthur wish he could bite down on his tongue to take it all back. Uther continued, "So it might be best to make the boy think you have developed some feelings for him."

Arthur was pretty sure that his heart stopped beating for a second there, unable to believe those words had just came out of his father's mouth. Especially after Arthur had long since decided that there wouldn't be anymore misunderstandings between Merlin and him after the 'favor' incident. This was going a step too far and not even Arthur was strong enough to contain the protest escaping from his lips, "But father! You cannot be serious about this!"

Uther's head whipped around to glare coldly at his son, making Arthur's voice die out with sharpness, "And why am I not?" The king was demanding to know. His kingdom was more important the him than anything. It was more important than his life, then the lives of all of the men who defended it's boarders. It was even more important than his heir. The only thing that could beat his kingdom, would be his pride. And his pride would not allow him to lose everything that he had worked for just because his only son had gotten sloppy and forgot what was important.

Arthur gave the only excuse that he could think of that might satisfy his father, "But you don't even approve of men being with other men!" And his mind flashed with false images of how far his father apparently wanted him to go. Would it extend so far as the bedroom-and he could very clearly see the things that he had long since put out of his mind making their reappearance-leashes and collars and holding Merlin down not to punish him but to get what they had to do out of the way. And he felt the way his skin seemed to go a shade of sickly green. Not at the idea of being with Merlin like this-although it still wasn't a good idea-but at the idea of forcing himself on him. Of being no better than Valiant who had tried the same at one point. Besides, Arthur was able to vaguely think through his nausea, he had already made that vow to Merlin some time ago. He'd promised that he wouldn't try to kiss him unless he wanted to…and he was pretty sure even that much had been taken away by Merlin after what had happened at Gaius'.

"Of course I don't!" Uther practically spit this out with disgust. "Men shouldn't go off being with other men. It's abnormal, sickening, the very mention of this conversation is wrong. It goes against everything that I have built this kingdom on!" Which were very ironic words considering this was the man that had been the first to insist on marrying off his son. The man that had married said son-his one and only heir-off to another man. Another man that could not even provide them with some kind of dowry. No gold, no armies, no trades across the kingdoms to provide for Merlin's upkeep. No, this was entirely coming out of their own pockets.

"So," Arthur brushed the topic very slowly and with an awkward air, the flush starting to creep its way up the back of his neck. "You aren't expecting me to…be…with him again…like that." He didn't even want to say the word to his father. And his mind was scrambling to find a way out of this one. He had thought it was over when Arthur had convinced Gaius to lie about Merlin's virginity. But if it started all over again, he wasn't sure how he would get out of it without traumatizing both him and Merlin in the process. Arthur wasn't above bringing up the night he and Merlin were 'supposed' to have, knowing that his father found the topic just as disgraceful as he did.

And true enough, Uther looked disgusted by the suggestion. "Good heavens, no! You will not have to do any of that ever again since Gaius confirmed your consummation." Them doing it again would definitely cement Merlin into their lives, make him believe Arthur had genuine feelings for him, but no. They would not go that far. Uther wouldn't ask his son to do more than needed to be done when it was concerning 'the boy.' Arthur had heard many times of what his father thought about 'those' people. If Uther hadn't been so busy with his crusade against magic, the he would have probably tried to do the same against the people who didn't follow 'the norm' when concerning their romantic partners.

Apparently even his father wasn't able to focus his attention on destroying everything he disapproved of. And his hatred of magic had won out over his homophobic nature.

Arthur let out a breath of relieve, the tension in his shoulders dropping as relief flooded in him. Good, that was one more thing that he wouldn't have to worry about. He was truly able to put it all behind him. But if his father wasn't expecting-that-of him, then what was he expecting? And that was exactly what he asked him, "Then what are you thinking that I do?"

"It might be prudent to take him out on the town. Show him a 'good time' or show him around. Wherever the young people hang out so that the most people can see you being together." The king ordered. The king, and not his father. Sometimes, Arthur found it hard to distinguish between the two. But he really shouldn't. Arthur knew that his Uther was a king before he was a father every time.

Arthur's face slackened as he got exactly what his father was talking about, "A date! You want me to take him out on a date!" And the images filtered throughout his mind just as it had with the leashes and thoughts of tying him up. Only the images were of a more softer nature. Things like taking Merlin out in the marketplace, the most populated part of the entire city at any given moment, so they could do 'date' things. What did people do on more commoner-like dates anyway? Was he supposed to buy Merlin whatever caught his fancy on the stalls? God forbid, hold his hand or kiss him on the cheek as a show of false affection? Or did that count under the whole 'do not kiss me' thing that Merlin had going on.

Uther seemed to take his shock into consideration and nodded his head, "You are right, it's a dumb idea. At least for now. We'll focus on the disease at the moment and just table this discussion for another time. When we know we will all still be alive after this has passed it's course."

Arthur should be grateful that his father was considering the disease rather than what was going on in his failed personal life. But truth is that he wasn't. How could he be grateful if he had that hanging over his head? Uther would probably start pressing the issue again right when they knew rather or not they would all live past the week. "But father, going out with him is hardly necessary. The people already see him when we have Royal functions, and he'll be around for future functions as well so couldn't they be considered dates, manner of speaking of course. And besides," Arthur was stopping to clear his throat. "Merlin knows we are in a fake relationship. He knows that none of this is real so wouldn't he be suspicious if I suddenly started treating him differently?"

It wasn't like Arthur could pretend to have any kind of feelings for Merlin. Even Merlin would probably see straight through it in an instinct. After all those times Arthur had told him, had made himself perfectly clear by his actions, he couldn't have been more clear if he had spit in Merlin's face.

"Then you just need to make him think that you've devolved feelings for him over time!" His father snapped at him, glaring at Arthur for daring to question his brilliant plan. Arthur snapped his mouth shut with an audible click as he realized he had done it again. He had questioned his father and when it came to matters about how Merlin should be dealt with, it shouldn't be done. "And if that's too much for you to do, if you cannot manage to pride yourself on what hardships you've had to go through just to keep our kingdom secure, then maybe start with something a bit lesser. Try a treat, or a gesture. Something that says 'I'm thinking of you' or whatever it is that will make him more agreeable. I will not see my kingdom fallen from grace because of any mistakes or mishaps done on your part. If the boy is left so unhappy, then it will only be a matter of time before he goes looking for a way out."

Uther didn't need to finish before Arthur got the message. It was the same thing that he'd said before. If Merlin was so unhappy-again, the image of Merlin's wet eyes as he knelt in front of a broken box flared up in the back of his mind-then all he would have to do was go asking the wrong questions to the wrong person and all of this would fall apart beneath their feet. And all because Arthur had gone to dance with a Lady…his father was right. He'd been callous during all of this, less aware or even less caring than he should be. Thinking a peasant like Merlin should just be happy he was now living the good life.

But people could only be pressed so far…

Not having the nerve to press his luck any further, Arthur bowed his head for what he'd hoped was the last time today. "I will have it done, father."

And Uther's words seemed to echo inside of his mind even long after the king had fallen silent himself: a treat, he had said. Arthur was responsible for not only the boy's upkeep but also to keep him in line. This meant giving out rewards or 'treats' if Merlin was doing things on a better scale than he had been. If he had less outbursts, more 'yes sir' and less mouth. But Arthur didn't think he would have months to wait for Merlin to be deserving of a proper reward. His father was right and something had to be done immediately. But the question remained…what to do?

X

Unbeknownst to Arthur and Uther, while they were having this incredibly private talk that was meant to remain between only the two of them, they had a voyeur in their midst. It was a figure hidden in the shadows, listening very closely to every word that was spoken. It was a figure watching every move that they made to detect any additional secrets that might be shared in body language.

This was good, this was very good, thought the shadowy figure as he peeked out behind the column he'd taken as shelter. It had been all too easy for him to sneak through the side entrance and hide in the little alcove that was hidden behind the column.

He knew memorizing the guards schedule as they roamed the halls would come in handy one day. It was why he knew, as soon as he'd heard the prince had been called away for a special meeting with the king, that the guards wouldn't be circling around to that entrance for a good bit of time, leaving him with just the opportunity to sneak in. He wouldn't have gotten such good information if he hadn't.

Oh, he wouldn't go so far as to use this piece of information quite yet. Things hadn't been escalated far enough that he felt like he had to. Merlin and Arthur were still at odds with the other, the prince seemed more annoyed by the day considering how often he ranted in his private chambers of the outrageous things Merlin had been doing in his spare time.

Looking for jobs? Denying Arthur's generosity? Wearing another's flowers…he had to clean up yet another mess after Arthur had thrown a vase at the wall when he had returned after that little debacle. Merlin was a walking catastrophe that he couldn't wait to take down. But patience really was a virtue so he would wait, and take his time. This little bit of information was like a trump card, a piece to keep in the wings until he needed to throw it out there.

One never knew when things might come in handy, as long as they used it properly. Why use it now when there was no reason to? He could use it in a week, or a month, or even a year-if Merlin lasted that long-to enact it if he thought things were developing in the wrong direction than he wanted them to.

With a slow smirk-proud of himself-flashed in the direction of the ruthless Uther and his follower Arthur-Morris slunk back through the door he'd came in. Leaving behind an area that had been untouched, perfectly preserved. As if he'd never been there to begin with.

X

Uther strode with purpose back across the room to his son still standing there with his head ducked down in respect and submitting to his father's will. Uther's bright red cloak flared out behind him as he came to a stop in front of his heir, "Now tell me Arthur, now that is out of the way, what reports do you bring me about our situation?"

There was an urgency to Uther's voice that hadn't been there before, betraying just how concerned he was about how things could be developing. It made Arthur pop his head back up, frowning deeply. Arthur prided himself on having a princely facade, being able to mask his emotions if he needed to. To be hard and unfeeling, to now allow his own emotions be in control of him. But as seen from before, he wasn't able to keep it up and his mask was liable to break when things got to be much more than he was prepared for. Uther on the other hand, his mask was impeccable since Arthur hadn't even realized he had worn it this whole time. But this disease and what it was doing to their kingdom was the catalyst and Arthur could see the way the mask Uther wore was bending at the edges.

Arthur forced himself to put what he'd been thinking out of his mind: what kind of treat would be acceptable to give Merlin, so that he could focus on what really mattered. This disease. And it killed him all over again having to admit to his father that they had nothing in a whole day's worth of searching to show for it, "We searched everywhere, the entire city trying to find even one hint of something that would explain this disease."

Arthur had been getting reports on and off from soldiers around the city, all split apart to try and search through a different sector of the city. But everybody had came up empty. It was like whoever did this knew what they would be doing and had cleared out before they even started their search.

Uther seemed horrified by this inclination, his harsh mask breaking even more to show off a scared king, "Nothing?" He demanded, as if he thought Arthur was deliberately hiding any kind of information from him. But no matter what he thought, Arthur didn't have anything for him. He didn't have a proper husband, he hadn't been doing things like he should, and he hadn't found a single magical item despite the many houses he had searched personally himself.

Arthur shook his head, already knowing that he was failing his father. A real prince would have gotten on top of this and had been able to find the sorcerer before it had gotten this bad. Before they literally had body after body filling up their courtyard. And it sickened him to have to admit his shortcomings straight to his father, "I don't know where else to look."

The only time Arthur had even came close to finding something magic was when he was in Merlin's room, and stumbled across his false voodoo doll thing. But he didn't dare mention it's existence to his father. His father wouldn't hear a word otherwise and would somehow go insisting that Merlin was involve. Arthur may 'ruin everything' or at least according to Merlin, but Arthur would keep his little secret hobby. As long as he didn't go sticking those pins into the real him. Arthur was a good pet owner after all, and needed to do something to show it. He'd already started by finally assigning a guard detail to Merlin for his own safety and protection. One less thing for him to worry about since he couldn't do regular check-in's himself while trying-and failing-to find the real sorcerer.

Uther turned away from his son, probably so that Arthur couldn't see just how manic he'd become, his thoughts becoming consumed with what was going on, why it happened to his city, and what had he ever done to have to deserve watching his kingdom starting to fall around him. But it was too late because Arthur had seen a glimpse of it and he felt as if a stone was sitting heavy in his gut. He had done that. He has put that look on his king's face because he couldn't find one sorcerer among hundreds of people. He would have to do better, have to increase his efforts. Have to put Merlin out of mind distracting him and trust that his new guard would keep him safe while Arthur handled this.

"I want you to impost a curfew." Uther was suddenly instructing, not looking back at his heir as he told him what he wanted to have done. They would need to get ahead of this disease before it started breaching past the commoners and the nobles started to get involved in the deaths. "No one is allowed to be on the streets after the Great Bell."

The Great Bell rung every night directly when the sun had gone down. Just another way of keeping up with the time. And to let people who worked away from light sources, like in the mines or in the kitchens or dungeons so that they knew night had fallen. But Arthur was surprised to hear Uther's declaration. It had been nearly ten years since they had to induce a curfew. Arthur had only been eleven and barely remembered-as he had been kept out of everything due to his young age-but a witch had been going around selling magical items that would grant fortune or good luck or any such nonsense. Luckily, all of the odd items had been rounded up and sealed off in some part of the castle because nobody had really known how dangerous they were and didn't want to risk anybody getting hands on them.

"…Father?" Arthur asked, making sure that he had heard him right. Starting up a curfew all over again would disrupt the entire city. But if it needed to be done to keep the city safe as a whole, then obviously that is what he would do.

"Now, make sure your consort is where he is supposed to be." Uther announced. Arthur was left frowning at him, because he didn't need to do that. He'd only left Merlin barely an hour ago in his new room. And with that guard stationed, Arthur would be the first to know where he had gone. Uther continued on before Arthur could ask him what it mattered where his consort was. It was only Arthur's responsibility to make sure Merlin was doing what he was supposed to be doing after all. His father should not be involved in anything that happened in 'Arthur's' section of the household. But Uther continued on before he got the chance, "And then you will need to cordon off the lower town."

That stopped Arthur dead cold, looking at his father with startled eyes, "What?" The prince exclaimed, his voice getting away from him to ask this. "But why!" If they cordoned off the lower town, then the people who lived there would literally be trapped with nowhere to go. It would also cut off any of the nobles and the servants who worked in the castle from being able to go down there. With Gaius-their only physician working on this-being locked up in the castle, he wouldn't be able to look at any people who came down with this sickness.

"Because," Uther said as he finally turned to look at his son. "That's where most of those victims seem to be coming from. We need to isolate it, stop this disease from spreading to the rest of us."

This sounded like a good plan in theory. It was a sound plan that probably would cut this disease down once it had nowhere to go, sparing the lot of them from sharing the same fate the townspeople were. But Arthur felt a hesitation stirring inside of him, a kind of protest wanting to emerge from him. This didn't feel like right call, it didn't feel like they had gotten so bad that they had no choice. It was a town filled with peasant people, Arthur would be the first to say those people never strived to better themselves. Was content to fade into nothingness while life passed them by as they spent their lives working for what little they could get. All things his father had taught him from a young age. But they were not bad people. They couldn't just close off the gates and leave them to suffer, wasn't it their job as the king and prince to help them survive? It was why the peasants gave them their loyalty, because it was then that was supposed to keep them safe within Camelot and her boarders.

"But what are we going to do about all of the people living down there?" Arthur asked, as he hoped his father had an actual plan within his mind. Maybe they were going to shelter the people who showed no signs of being sick themselves, take them in until the people who were too far gone to be saved had died off, taking the disease with them. Because if his father was saying what he thought he was saying…they were essentially abandoning the people. It would send a message straight to the people that they won't be able to come back from. That they were abandoning them as nothing more than a lost cause. That they didn't even have a chance at survival so why should they bother wasting their time and/or resources when they should be focusing on the people who 'might' actually have any real chance at getting out of this mess alive if any of them did.

Uther put his hand down-slapped it would be a more accurate word-onto the thick arm of his throne. The slapping sound echoed out of the room and it made the prince snap his jaw shut before he could say anything else that would anger his father. "Don't you think that I haven't considered it?" The king demanded of his son, appalled that his only heir couldn't see the big picture. But it was alright, Arthur was young still but he would learn every one of the lessons he was trying to impart on him by heart long before it was time for Uther to step down and let the next generation take over. "But what else can I do? I have to be able to protect the rest of the city."

It pretty much went unsaid that the peasants were being left to fend for themselves while the nobility and few lucky servants who was inside the council grounds when he made the decision would be safe and sound behind the gates. Arthur almost admired that Uther was able to make such a hard decision. If he also wasn't feeling doubtful that this would really be the right call.

But who was he to argue with his king?

Arthur didn't say another word against his king's orders. He gave one final bow towards the king before striding out of the chambers and into the hall. Once out in the hallway, and walking far enough away from the two guards watching the doors, Arthur stuck his hand in his pocket and pulled out his wedding ring

The silver ring looked just as it did the day he had pulled it off, contrasting quite sharply on his tan skin. The silver metal glinting and the red dragon carved into the metal of it. Fuck him. Arthur grudgingly slid the ring back on his finger, feeling odd now that it was back where it was supposed to be…

Arthur threw his hands down to his sides and strode off to have the guards spread word of the curfew, intent on forgetting about the ring chafing-in his own mind because no ring that was fit for royalty would have ever been an uncomfortable fit-around his ring finger. But as Arthur left the hall, a sudden thought had hit him out of nowhere. Like he'd just been struck with inspiration.

Even pets deserved a treat, and he clearly needed to give Merlin something to show any good behavior could be rewarded…the box he had broken. He bet Merlin would be real grateful, and more incline to do what he was told, if Arthur had it and the contents fixed up for him.

X

FLASHBACK: to just after Arthur had left Merlin at Gaius' but before he was called to his meeting with the king.

"Come on, I need a name. A proper one." Was what the prince grumbled harshly. He had his arms folded over his chest, his eyes had also narrowed into a glare as he stood right in the middle of town square. He was watching his men as they were going through the houses in this district. There were much fewer men though as most of these houses had already been checked and they were just doing a one final sweep before they moved onto the other sectors of the city like most of the other men already had.

"What about Knight Markus, sire? He seems to be a good guard." Knight Gregory said as he nodded across the street to where Markus was seen stabbing into a thing of hay on the back of a wagon with a pitchfork, to be sure that nobody was trying to hide and evade from their searches. Arthur had came across Gregory not long after arriving in town square and allowed himself to admit that he was looking for a suitable guard to keep an eye on Merlin. And the last few minutes had been spent with Gregory making suggestions to all good knights, but each one seemed to have a flow that disqualify them in Arthur's eyes.

Knight Charles was a bit of a drunkard in his opinion, and while he'd never gotten drunk on the job before, Arthur didn't want to risk that he would with Merlin's safe-keeping was involved. Or you know, somebody that would report to him what Merlin had been doing.

Knight Bryon was also a bust as Arthur had always considered him to be a bit of a dick. He doubted Merlin and him would get along very much. If Merlin had no reservations for yelling at him, then he would probably do the same, if not worse, to a lesser man. Not that Arthur cared much if they didn't get along but he also figured it would be more trouble than it was with. Plus, he wasn't all that fond of Merlin being around Knight Bryon anyway, he didn't trust the knight to keep his temper in check if Merlin did something to upset him. Which he most undoubtedly would.

Sir Leon had been suggested and that would have honestly been the ideal choice. Not only did Leon and Merlin already know each other and were familiar, there didn't seem to be any bad blood. He was also pretty sure that they hadn't had much contact with the other but he also trusted Leon. Leon was a good knight and a good soldier, who put his duty above all else. Even if he absolutely hated Merlin, he'd be able to put that aside and protect him with his life if he had too. Especially if it had been Arthur who entrusted him with the job. But he was away at the moment-lucky bastard-on a new mission that took him out of the city. He was checking on the outposts but should be returning in a few weeks time. He needed his guard for Merlin now, so he couldn't wait for Leon to return.

And Knight Markus…Arthur tilted his head with a contemplative expression, watching the way his long time friend stabbed into the hay almost aggressively. "Definitely not." He decided after watching him for a moment, his nose wrinkling in distaste. Don't get him wrong, Markus was his best friend. But he was also the one asking Merlin awkward sex-barely-like questions back during the tourney. The first one that had questioned the nature of Gwen and Merlin's apparent friendship…Markus clearly got too involved in things that didn't include him. And for Arthur, that was a problem.

Knight Gregory nodded without asking any questions on why. It wasn't his place and now he had to come up with a different knight to take the job. "…What about Knight Derrick? I know he is a good soldier. He'll take the duty seriously."

Arthur didn't hesitate for even a second when he gave a sharp, "No!" Gregory hadn't been lying, Knight Derrick was a good soldier and one of the better knights around. But he was also gay. Like Merlin. How was Arthur going to be content with the knowledge of Merlin's safety if he also kept wondering if he had put Merlin's virtue in danger. Two gay guys that spent an abnormal amount of time together? It was a recipe for disaster in the making and Arthur would not hear one word of it. Derrick would possibly be the worse choice to make because of that. Last thing he wanted was for anybody to get any-funny-ideas that would have Arthur ripping a head off somebody's body. But rather that head would be Merlin's or Derrick's remained unseen.

Once again, Gregory didn't ask questions or protests in anyway over yet another one of his suggestions being turned down. He just solemnly nodded his head, agreeing with the prince and whatever he thought was the best course of action. After all, this was his actual consort they were talking about. His safety would clearly be a priority so obviously the choice would need to be made with upmost care and precision. The wrong choice could lead up to catastrophic, especially if Arthur decided on a guard who Gregory knew from the way they talked that they didn't like their new consort. Gregory didn't mind the boy too much though. He was loud and could often be abrasive if the arguments he tried not to listen in on between him and Arthur, but he wasn't too bad. Merlin actually talked to him when other nobles outside of those who were knights, soldiers, or guards would barely even look at one of the many foot soldiers the castle held.

Arthur suddenly seemed to have a thought and turned to give Gregory an appraising eye as he looked him up and down. Gregory was not a bad knight, one of the best actually, so good in fact that he was given the chance to guard the Royal stairwell. With the royals and their lives in the balance, it had been Gregory who was entrusted to watch their rooms as they slept. They would have never had any kind of incident like Valiant getting into their hall if he had been on duty that night instead of a sub. The knight also had a good build as many knights did, and would look to be quite intimidating standing next to a much smaller Merlin. Arthur also knew the knight was with a woman, married and with a small newborn infant, so he didn't have to worry about any kind of 'funny' business developing between him and his consort.

"What about you yourself, Gregory? Surely you would like to be considered as a choice for my consort's protection." Arthur asked the knight. Not that Arthur would go so far as to call protecting-watching-Merlin much of an honor, more like a punishment considering who the guard would be watching. But Merlin was still a consort so there was some honor in being the one trusted to see to his safety.

Gregory looked startled-the first sign of his harsh default expression breaking-at being considered. While Gregory was born of noble stock, he was also on the lower totem end of the line. There were many more knights that had a much higher birth than he did, who was only allowed to become a knight because his uncle was noble and served well for the king and his armies. It was only through his own hard work and dedication that Gregory had been able to work his way straight up through the ranks of knighthood. Going from a lowly squire as a boy to guarding the Royal suites as a man. Gregory's hard default expression fell back into place and he bowed his head to the prince, "It would be an honor to take over your consort's protection and safety, My Lord sire."

Arthur snorted in an undignified manner as he turned back away to watch some of his men as they started to leave, "I wouldn't get too excited. The boy's a menace. But being a guard to my consort will also come with a pay grade, so you'll get an extra pouch of gold for your troubles of course." And that wasn't just Arthur being generous. Being entrusted with any member of the royal's family's protection in a personal guard capacity was probably one of the highest jobs a guard could hope to aim for as very few were bestowed the honor. So a pay grade was only to be expected.

Gregory nodded his head, "You're consort's safety will seen to. It's good for him to have a personal guard, especially with what is going on. The people are scared and unsure about what is happening. Any number of them may try to take their fears out on Consort Merlin if he is always running around the city without being attended to."

Arthur hadn't even thought of that. He'd just waited Gregory to keep an eye on him, make sure that nobody with the sickness got too close to him in case it was enough to catch it. It would be a miracle if Merlin didn't catch anything from fooling around with the bodies at Gaius. "This assignment is only a temporary measure." Arthur said with a slow breath out. "Just until this sickness has been dealt with. Your duties as followed is to make sure none of the sick are near him. And then report to me if Merlin give off any suspicious activity. Anything that you find odd that any consort would do."

Gregory nodded his head, "It will be done, my sire." Gregory would do his duties to the best of his abilities, and make sure that Arthur and his consort received over the best protection detail he could give.

Arthur jerked his head in the direction of the physician's chambers, "He's with Gaius. All you need to do is stand outside the door and watch whose coming and going. And follow him if he tries to leave on his own." Arthur supposed he could have just instructed the knight to make sure Merlin stayed. But that would be like putting him on house arrest and while the idea wasn't totally awful-at least as long as this sickness was still spreading-he figured he could spare the boy one very last chance to do things right. Or at least one last chance to not prove himself a fool after Arthur had been gracious enough to not put him under house arrest…and not because the box shattering after Merlin had thrown it right at him-only to hit the door as Arthur made his escape-was still ringing in his ears.

And that was how Arthur got Merlin his own personal guard for the time being.

END FLASHBACK:

X

An entire night had passed, where the town seemed to grow more and more restless with no sign of this disease stopping. Especially for Merlin and Gaius, who woke up the next morning to a surprise at their door. Gregory had shown up at the door, allowing another guard to bring her in. A woman. And they laid her out on a second tabletop that Merlin had to clear off for her to fit on. She was just like any of the other victims they had seen already. With her white skin paler than anybody would have if they were alive, the blue veins going up her cheeks and to the undersides of her eyes were very much unnatural looking. She had been found in one of the hallways off the side of the castle by a maid, her screams startling and loud enough for nearby guards to flood the scene.

It wasn't exactly the news Merlin-after his very restless sleep of tossing and turning and always looking towards his wardrobe where he knew his destroyed chest rested-wanted to wake up to.

"So, can you tell me what is different about this victim compared to the others that we've seen?" Gaius asked his nephew, wording his sentence to make sure that he didn't give away the answer. He wanted to see if Merlin could do this on his own, make him think on this like a physician would. If Merlin would be assisting him, the least Gaius could do was to make sure that he learned something.

"Errr," Merlin stuttered, using his palm to go wiping at the bottom of his red eyes. He was still upset about Arthur and his chest, but he was at least doing his best to focus on what was going on. "…She's a woman." He said the first thing he could see, looking over her long braided hair slung over her shoulder and her yellow colored dress. All of the victims they'd seen so far had been men so this would be the first woman they'd seen as of yet.

Gaius, standing on the other side of the table, gave Merlin a 'really?' sarcastic kind of look, "Sometimes, I do have to wonder whether or not you're magical talents were given to the right person." Because woman or not, their latest victim was still a person. And Gaius seriously doubted this was a kind of disease that picked between rather it would lay in a man or a woman. "Anything else?" He asked, wanting Merlin to think outside the very small and limited box going on inside of his mind.

Considering the mood Merlin was in, he may have wanted to return to his room since this seemed to be just a nice way of calling Merlin stupid. He already knew he was too stupid to be consort, he didn't really want to know that he was too stupid to be a proper sorcerer as well. But Gaius said it in just a way that, in the mood he was in ironically enough, it did make him smile a bit. Just a twitch of his lips before he got down to business and started to study the woman on the table. Alright, Merlin was thinking hard, putting all thoughts of what a jerk Arthur was out of his mind to focus with sole concentration on the woman. She's not different because she's a woman but what else was different about her?

"She's…" Merlin trailed off, eyes trailing down her dress to her shoe covered feet. The dress itself was made out of a material that peasant people couldn't get their hands on. So she's not a peasant, and…maybe that was it. She's not a peasant and everyone else Merlin had seen with the sickness had been a common person. This was the first Merlin had saw that was higher up on the food chain so to speak. "She's a courtier."

Courtiers weren't commoners but they were not so high up the chain to be called nobles either, even if they usually worked alongside the nobility. It was a career that was mostly taken by higher born women who could be considered spinsters. Women who had to go find a job to support themselves because they hadn't been married and started to have children before they reached thirty. Which did seem to be the case for this woman as she looked to be around that age and had no ring on her finger either. Courtiers usually had the job to record transcripts for important meetings done among the royals, and then passed them on to Geoffrey so that he could put the records in place. Or they'd deliver messages around the castle between the nobles. Because of this, they rarely left the castle grounds as most nobles seemed to live in the same vicinity. Or would stay in the castle because their villas or estates lived too far away to just come and go as they please.

Gaius didn't answer him verbally, but he did give Merlin an expression that said he was on the right track. Not the exact answer but that he was narrowing onto it. Courtier…courtier…what was different from the courtier and any of the twenty or so peasants that had already died from this disease…yeah, he had nothing.

"How does that help us?" Merlin asked him when he felt he was wasting more time trying to think about it then he was actually coming up with something. And it seemed as if Gaius had already figured it out on his own, and he was now just waiting for Merlin to make the same connection.

Gaius spelt it out for him, "Courtiers seldom go down to the lower town. So what does this mean?" Well, Merlin thought slowly, courtiers 'did' rarely go into town. In fact, Merlin found that very few of the noble people made any kind of trip to the town. Nobody other than the younger crowd looking for something to do, rather that be messing with the poorer of the people or because they just wanted to check out the shops.

But if this courtier never went down to town, then what did that mean? It probably meant that she didn't see many commoners outside of the ones that worked in the castle. None of which had been reported as one of the dead or as one of the ones locked in quarantine in their homes. "…It means…she hasn't spoken to any townspeople?" It sounded more like a question as he glanced up to see if Gaius had liked his answer.

Gaius looked more pained than he would have liked. So…no. Clearly Merlin's answer hadn't been the right one. But Gaius did say a slow, "Yes…" as if it was true but not close to what he was trying to drag out of Merlin. "So this would suggest that the disease is not being spread by contact."

Merlin looked back at the courtier, trying to think of any other differences they she would have had from the common people. They did not have contact, so what else did couriers and peasants not have in common…well…that was literally everything but the probably was not the answer Gaius was looking for either.

"Well…they probably ate different foods?" He suggested, looking up at Gaius to judge his expression. Food was a huge difference he'd noticed. Royal's definitely did not eat like the commoners did, all of their food seemed so much richer. And not just in monetary value but it often sat much heavier inside Merlin's stomach than anything he would have gotten in the town.

"Good." Gaius said in an encouraging tone, leading Merlin to believe that he was getting closer but still…not the right answer he was looking for. "Now, is there anything else."

"Errr…" Merlin shook his head and looked back down at the woman again, trying to think of what else was in the lower town that was different than what was given to them in the castle. "…I doubt that they breathe the same air." Depending on where one was in the town, the air could be smoggy. Especially where the blacksmiths usually worked. But it often spread out to the surrounding businesses, but nobody could really complain about it too much. They were lucky to have a blacksmith at all.

Gaius nodded to him encouragingly, "So what else do they share?" Okay, Merlin thought, he was still wrong. But if it wasn't the food and it wasn't the air-which was different-then what was the one thing they did share.

"…Water?" Merlin asked, more to himself as he was musing over the possibilities. But that was when Gaius nodded, grinning, looking far more excited that Merlin had finally reached the same conclusion that he'd already gotten to and Merlin latched onto this. "Water? You think the disease is being spread through the water?"

Water was the one thing that both common people and noble shared. The townspeople usually got their water from a pump situated in the middle of town. The castle servants did the same, carrying buckets of water from and to the castle, supplying the entirety of it with water. So even if the nobles would try and do fancy shit to it, like dropping in lemon slices or flavoring it with some other fruit, the water itself still came from the same source. There was no other water source in the city, even if they did have several pumps and wells that were spread out across the city, it all came directly from the same place.

"Merlin," Gaius said dryly, giving him a little smirk. "You're a prodigy." And then Gaius was stepping away and grabbing up a bucket off from the side. He set it down with an audible clank as the metal hit the table right in front of him. "Now, go to the pump-the one that's in the middle of town, it's the most populated and that's what we need-and bring us some of the water to test. I can assume that you do not need me to tell you not to go drinking any of it."

Merlin gave him an 'WTF, of course I'm not going to go drinking water that is probably poisoned' expression. And he was also really thankful that he hadn't really had anything to drink today. Nothing more than a sip here or there…he really hope it hadn't been enough to get him sick. Not if it had been a small kind of dose…wait. The water he had drunk might have been from yesterday's supply, so maybe whatever was in the water hadn't been there yet…Merlin ignored his thoughts before he'd snatched up the bucket by the handle.

"Yeah," Merlin said dryly. "I'm pretty sure you don't have to worry about that from me." He wasn't exactly interested in drinking possibly poisonous liquid. The water did make a lot of sense actually, since so many of the people had easy access to it. If Gaius was right, then it was no wonder so many people had gotten so sick so quickly-just a matter of days have passed since he'd first heard of that Jerome guy. Hopefully he wouldn't get kicked around while he was off gathering water which would hopefully lead to saving all of their lives.

Merlin left after that, closing the door behind him, only to stop before he'd taken more than a step away from it, bucket clutched lightly in one hand. Gregory was standing right outside the door, standing in a solid stance with both of his heads clutched together in front of him while looking like he was preparing for war or something…

X

"…Gregory." Merlin nodded his head towards the knight, blinking confused. He'd thought the man had left after helping the second one being in the body, had be been standing there the entire time, but maybe he needed to see Gaius and was just waiting for an invitation to come in or something. He looked like a statue, and who knows how long he had been there waiting for god-knows-what.

"Consort Merlin." Gregory said back, nodding his head. The whole consort thing had been almost enough to sour Merlin's mood. But he figured he might as well get used to it, that title seemed to be the only thing anybody was going to see him as.

"Gaius is just inside, so I guess you can go on in and talk to him then." Merlin told him before he started in on a tirade of how much he hated being called that. Merlin started to walk down the hall towards the stairs that led out of the tower Gaius' chambers were located in. He stopped. Gregory was walking behind him…following him? Gregory was one of the knights, probably in the whole of the entire kingdom who hadn't tried to mess with him. So him following him was quite…odd.

Merlin started walking again but still, Gregory and his footfalls were heard. He stopped. So did Gregory. He started walking again and so the knight followed. Merlin stopped and so did the knight.

Merlin whipped around, "Is there something I can help you with?" He asked, glaring up at the much taller dark skinned male. He didn't feel like being followed by a hulk. He didn't feel like being followed at all.

"Do not mind me, Consort Merlin. I do not need anything from you." Gregory said in his usual still and humorless tone. As if he was made from stone rather than from flesh.

Gregory seemed to say this as a way to calm Merlin down, but it just made him even more confused. If Gregory didn't need him, then why on earth was he following him? If they'd just been going in the same direction would be one thing but no, Gregory had walked and stopped every time that he did. He had also been waiting outside of Gaius, was he waiting for Merlin? This sent an unsettled chill down his spine, because he had thought Gregory was one of the few decent-or at least not one that was cruel-knights he had met. But what if Gregory was waiting for Merlin to step off to someplace more secluded before dragging him off someplace to beat him up with some misplaced aggression and trying to 'defend' his precious Arthur's honor. God! And just as he thought he'd gotten Arthur out of his head for good, he found a way to wiggle himself right back in.

Merlin took a single step back, his hand went nearly white from how hard he was clutching the handle of the bucket-wondering if he was going to have to swing it at Gregory's head in an attempt to escape whatever was about to happen. All he wanted was to get some damn water! Merlin shot his eyes around but it was a pretty secluded hallway, "…How is your wife? And her baby? She's had it by now, right?" He asked, hoping Gregory wouldn't do something stupid if he was reminded of people he clearly loved.

When Merlin had first arrived in Camelot, and before he had even talked to the dragon and learned that his supposed 'destiny' was tied in with Arthur's, he'd ran into Gregory. Who'd happened to be carrying around a bouquet of pink flowers for his wife who at the time-had been heavily pregnant. It had been over two months since then, so surely she must have the baby by now. And Merlin was hoping that if Gregory thought of them, maybe he would realize that whatever he was about to try and do now to Merlin, they wouldn't like it.

Gregory's stiff default face changed into a bit surprised, as if he was startled that Merlin-a noble who wasn't a knight-would remember something like that as it had nothing to do with them. But he bowed his head before he answered, "They are doing well, my lord. My wife has recovered from childbirth and our daughter is flourishing."

Merlin slowly nodded, looking a bit more concerned now that he saw Gregory hadn't turned on his heel and left. The knight was just watching him, although he would on occasion, glance up and survey around them. Was he waiting for somebody else to show up? Was a whole gang of knights preparing to jump him and Gregory had only been the distraction? Merlin glanced around as well but there wasn't exactly many places to hide in this hall. This was probably the barest hall in the whole castle, not even a tapestry hung on the wall where somebody could duck and hide behind.

"And…" Merlin's brain scrambled as he took another step back, his heart jumping simply because it looked as if Gregory thought he'd gotten too far out of reach and took another step closer to him. "…How's Spike?"

Spike was the name the knight had given to his dog. The same dog that Merlin had once turned from a statue and into a real one. He'd needed something to do with it as he couldn't very well keep the dog locked inside the upstairs room-his room now-of Gaius' chambers. And even if the dog was mad and kept barking at him everyone he went near it, it had just seemed cruel to try turning it back into stone. Maybe that was why it barked so much, because it could sense Merlin heading for that direction. Because after Merlin had decided against it, the dog seemed to act a bit more subdued. But Merlin couldn't very well take care of a dog. He had enough on his plate without having to remember it was his job to keep something else alive. So he had ran into Gregory and in a very spur of the moment decision-offered him the dog. Merlin had only seen the dog once or twice since as it apparently didn't like him, still growing in his direction if he dared past it, now sporting a spiky collar and seen cuddling with the then pregnant wife's belly as if he was nothing more than a big cuddly guard dog.

Gregory bowed his head again, looking at stoic as ever before he dared to respond, "The dog is doing excellent, my lord. Thank you for giving it to me and mine."

The whole 'My Lord' thing was setting Merlin's teeth on edge. And if he was about to get jumped or something, he wasn't going to stand here and make it easier for them to get him. Without another word, Merlin turned on his heel and started storming back down the hall again. It wasn't a surprise to hear the knight's heavy footfalls stomping after him.

But what was a surprise was when Gregory took the initiative to speak up first, "My lord, may I ask where you are going?" He needed to be aware of the perimeters as well as start considering every possibility of something going wrong. Merlin's protection was the goal and he couldn't do that job if Merlin tried to go somewhere he shouldn't be due to this crisis.

Merlin glared over his shoulder before he was speaking harshly, not sure if he should trust the knight or if all his possible accusations were just in his head, "I'm going to the lower town! Gaius needs water, or is there a reason that you need to know this?" And he really was hoping that he hadn't said too much. If Gregory really was planning on jumping him with a group of friends, then all Gregory had to do was excuse himself. And then go tell his friends where he would be. But hey, at least he hadn't said what he was getting the water for. Gaius would want to make sure that was the problem because stirring up the city and causing a panic. Their very own water supply becoming contaminated…the people would end up dying of thirst long before the actual sickness was able to take them.

Gregory didn't excuse himself. He didn't even blink at Merlin's suddenly hostile attitude, the knight was probably used to it from all of the times Arthur went about yelling at people. He did see the knight frown though, "Forgive me my lord-" good god, Merlin thought agitated, it was like George all over again because of the way he said, sire, in each and every one of the sentences spoken to him. "But do you think it wise to go into the town? That seems to be where most of the sick is spreading, I'll have one of the servants bring your bucket to the pump and gather water for you. Prince Arthur would be most amiss if he heard that I allowed you to go down there when there is a chance of yourself catching the sick."

It was probably the most Merlin had ever heard the usually sullen man speak. Which was why it took him a second to process what he said. As well as realize that he had heard Arthur's name in there somewhere. It suddenly occurred to Merlin, with his eyes going narrowed, that maybe Gregory wasn't here at all because he had a group of other knights targeting him. This entire thing-all of a sudden-had Arthur's stench all of it. Could he not leave Merlin alone?

"And why," Merlin slowly started, feeling his fingers clenching and unclenching his hand around the handle of the bucket as a slow bit of anger started to rear up inside of his chest, "Does Arthur care rather or not I go into the town? Why exactly, are you following me, did Arthur demand this of you?" He demanded in a hot tone, the anger rushing and pouring out of his veins practically at the thought. Arthur had meddled into his life again. He stopped him from job hunting, nearly attacked him for a flower, had destroyed his box because of his own stupidity and…what was this one supposed to be about?

Gregory ducked his head into a bow, "Prince Arthur does not want you to receive the sick, my lord. He has ordered me to be your guard until this ordeal has passed on."

Arthur had ordered him a person guard? He'd put Gregory in charge of…him? If Merlin was anybody else, he probably would have been just thankful that it wasn't one of the other knights who would no doubt load something like this over him. Or try taking advantage of the situation and free access to Merlin. Merlin knew Arthur hated him, but did he really hate him so much as to put a guard on him? So he could have someone watching his every little move, had Arthur even took the time to find a good guard or was it just chance that it was Gregory he had stumbled upon first. Was this a punishment for Merlin constantly 'stepping out of the line Arthur was trying to set up for him?

"That bloody bastard, I'm gonna fucking kill him!" Merlin shouted, throwing his arms into the air and knocking his bucket painfully into the wall beside them. Gregory blinked at this sudden exclamation, not sure if he should be taking Merlin's threat seriously. And if this was one of the things Prince Arthur wanted him to report on…

"Consort Merlin, I'm sure that Prince Arthur did not mean to offend you." Gregory said in this blunt tone of his. "He just wanted to see to your safety, would have done it personally but the crisis needs his attention-" figuring it would get Merlin to calm down. Or to at least stop swearing death threats that he'd have to report about his husband.

But Merlin just laughed, sarcastic and nearing hysterical, "My safety? You call this being concerned about my safety! This is just 'him' trying to keep tabs on me, isn't it!" God, what was it that had pushed Arthur over the edge to force something like this on him? Was this because Arthur had finally discovered that he had moved out? Or was this because Merlin had 'dared' to throw his chest right at him. He had been aiming for his head but of course he had missed. God, if he ever got any kind of chance to do it again, he was going to very well take it!

Gregory really didn't want to answer that, as he vividly remembered Arthur's strict orders to report everything that Merlin did right back to him. Looking back on it, now that he could see Merlin's anger, it did sound less of a very doting husband worried for the sole sake of his consort during a very panicky time. And more like someone wanting to know Merlin's every step. But Gregory supposed this might just be how royal's behaved, they needed to keep these kinds of tabs on their partners so Gregory would do what he was ordered to. To watch Merlin's every step and report it back to the prince.

Merlin didn't seem to notice, too busy with his own fussing, "I'm going to wring his neck! Twist his around so tightly that you wouldn't even recognize him by the time I'm done who does he think he is! Guards! Knowing where I'm going!" The pain from his crushed chest flared up inside up him, intermingling with his forming anger and twisting it up into one big twisted fire brewing inside of him.

That fucking bastard, just wait until Merlin got a hold on him. Just wait until Merlin came after him. Why, he should go right now, start searching for him this very instant just to go off at him! Treat him like shit and then put his goon on him, did he? He was going to come at him fist flying! If he thought Merlin'd been embarrassing him before, this it would be nothing compared to what Merlin was going to do! Hell, Gregory probably knew exactly where Arthur was, or at least a starting point for Merlin to look so that he can get there the fastest.

The only thing that was stopping him was the bucket he had in hand still. He was supposed to be fetching Gaius water, supposed to bring it back to him in a timely manner so that he'd be able to check for any kind of poisons or contaminations. Anything to explain what this disease going on was about. Fuck, he would let Arthur go simply because he wasn't about to waste his time on him. Merlin knew there would be plenty of time for that later, for the next time he saw him. But for now, he had to go fetch some stupid water from the stupid pump and cart it all the way back to his uncle to do his stupid scientific and stupid not even close to magic tests on it.

With a frustrated growl-a legit growl that just happened to sound like a restless wildcat in the making, ready to make his territory or at least mark a line in the sand for just how far Arthur could go-Merlin started storming off down the hallway, not bothering to wait and see if his new 'guard' was going to follow him. He had no patience to deal with any of this. It was time for him to get this bloody water and then see to Arthur afterwards.

"Consort Merlin," Gregory tried to dissuade him even as he followed him down the hallway. Arthur had been sure to tell Gregory he expected reports on what Merlin'd been doing, but he hadn't told Gregory that Merlin was to be confined to his room. So short of telling him this was a bad idea, he wasn't so sure Arthur would appreciate Merlin being thrown over his shoulder and carried back to the physician's quarters. "You shouldn't be going down to where the sick are! You will be the one to catch it next. Arthur will be-" most upset, was what he was going to say. But that was when Merlin interrupted him, yelling the words over his shoulder as he stormed down the stairs.

"Arthur can kiss my arse!"

Gregory didn't color, but he did cough very uncomfortable. There were some things he did not need to know that might be going on within Arthur's private bed chambers. But he didn't say another word as he followed Merlin down the stairs to fetch the water.