A/N: Happy B-day Amirrel (June 3)!

This is a prequel to "Love and Magic", the first drabble in "Christmas Drabbles 2011". That story was wished for by bee27, and, who knows, maybe it adds something to what she originally wanted with her wish as well? ;)

This is set many years before that drabble starts, there's no need to re-read it, really… just Slade is King Arthur (two eyes) and Robin is Merlin, and if you read "Love and Magic" after this one, you'll find out how their story ends.. ;) And this is not canon to any particular Arthur-saga, but I've picked bits and pieces that I find interesting, and it's of course VERY AU/OOC… ;)

Oh, and please excuse any slurs about witches in this one? ;)

Interesting but maybe useless fact: in this story I have characters address King Arthur (Slade) as "Your Majesty" as well as "my Lord" and "Highness". In fact, "Majesty" wasn't used until Richard II (6 January 1367 – ca. 14 February 1400), and "Lord" or "Highness" was used before then… so there! Pointed out an historical incorrectness before you had a chance to! ;)… on the other hand, King Arthur probably never existed, and the language in this story is NOT supposed to be correct… none of us would be able to understand much if it was...

Desire and Magic

"Your Majesty! We have a prisoner in the dungeons!" the head of the guards called out as he hurried into the throne room.

"I would like to think that you have several prisoners down there, or you are not doing your job properly," the king smirked.

The head guard paused, a look of worry and hesitation crossing his face. He was quite new and had not gotten used to his King's sense of humor.

"I… yes… yes of course we have several, My Lord… if you'd like we'll get more! But this one is new and he's… he's a witch!"

"A male witch? This I have to see," the monarch chuckled and stood up from his throne.

Merlin was not amused. The place stank, his cell companions were literally rats and his ability to change his form seemed to be locked. Damn Lady of the Lake! Damn women in general, actually. He'd swear off them, that was the right thing to do; he'd never as much as speak to one again… especially as one of them just had him stuck in the shape of a far too pretty young man, and bound most of his magic as well, although that was only temporary; he could feel it slowly return.

They were all after his powers, anyway, his body only coming in second, and they would go quite mad when it became clear to them that he wouldn't give them any part of him, magical or otherwise. Women! The thought of powerful men making their undergarments wet… Merlin himself had never understood the attraction.

"Bow to your King, witch!"

The black haired, blue eyed young man startled, having been so deeply engrossed in his own thoughts that he hadn't realized he had visitors. He spun around, coming face to face with them. His eyes passed over the guards and landed on the much taller, bulkier man behind them.

Oh, my.

"My King," the wizard said softly and bowed with more finesse then the highest ranking knight at court.

"I hear you are a witch?" the large man rumbled.

"A wizard, My Lord, not a mere herb-brewing old woman!"

"See! He admits it! You'll burn on the stake, you demon beast!" the head guard exclaimed.

"Oh? He will? And here I thought I was the one making the verdicts and setting the punishments in my kingdom?" the king said silkily.

"Of course, Your Majesty, I am so sorry, I didn't mean-" the guard stuttered.

"Would you like to switch places with me, seems safer in here for you?" Merlin smirked at the stuttering man.

"So why were you arrested, boy?" the monarch asked.

"I'm not a 'boy' and I was merely seeking an audience with you. Dark times are coming, My Lord, and I thought it best if I was by your side."

"You did, did you? Curious. Most men only want to be on my side in times of peace and plenty, to 'share' in my riches."

"Oh, well, those men are useless. I'm not," Merlin claimed. "All I want is a private audience. Let me prove myself to you."

"My King, I can't allow-!" the head of the guards objected.

"Oh, that one never learns, does he?" the blue eyed boy said dryly.

"It appears not," the king said grimly. "Release the prisoner into my custody at once!"

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

"Well, that's better at least," the young wizard smirked. "Maybe he shouldn't take my place after all…"

"I should remind you that you are still a prisoner of the crown," the king said darkly. "Follow me, little wizard, and keep those pretty lips sealed for now if you want to keep them."

The magician rolled his eyes but did as he was told, at least for a while. The dungeons were a big place, lined with cells of prisoners, mostly living in their own dirt. The young man suddenly had a sensation, though, and placed his hand on the monarchs arm.

"You dare touch the King?" the head guard yelled and slammed the butt of his spear into the young man's back, making him grunt with pain and fall to his knees in the dirt.

"Stand back," the king told his guard, and looked down on the gasping young man.

"Why the insolence, boy?"

"I… apologize… My King…" the wizard groaned. "But the man… in there… he's innocent."

"He is? He's been found guilty of treason. He is to be executed in the morning," the king said.

"He was set up. I can feel it. His spirit is clean."

"It's surely a trick, Your Highness!" the guard said. "The conspiracy might be theirs!"

"It might. But nonetheless, postpone his death, and I'll look into the matter more closely later. I'll need to speak to the witch-boy first."

"Wizard… and I am not a boy! ...Your Majesty…" Merlin grunted and got off his knees.

"Ah, but you are what your king tells you that you are, is that not so?" the monarch smirked.

Merlin blushed and dared to glare at the man, but King Arthur was the highest authority here and his life might very well rest in the man's hands, at least for now.

"Yes, My Lord."

"Good, then that's sorted out then, my boy. Come now, my nose really wants me on higher, lighter ground."

Once they reached a private audience chamber, the king gestured for the guards to leave. As he did, the wizard studied the tall, broad shouldered man with his angular, mature face, yet untouched by any sign of age. That was a strange sight, since the man's hair and short beard was startlingly white, but the answer to that mystery was, reputedly, slung over the man's shoulder: Excalibur. It was said that, as Arthur drew the sword from the stone, proving himself to be the rightful king, his hair turned white from the power coursing through him. It might even be true, as the young-looking wizard felt the power radiating from the sword even now.

Merlin glanced down on his own smelly robes and wrinkled his nose in disgust. He gathered his magic, there was just enough of it to make himself presentable, and said the spell. A moment later the stains, as well as the smell, was gone, and his hair flowed much lighter around his shoulders.

"So you really are a creature of the dark arts?" the king observed.

"The darkness is in the eye of the beholder," Merlin shrugged. "But you don't seem startled, My King? Why aren't you clutching a cross and chanting prayers like so many others?"

"Is that not just a different kind of magic?"

The wizard hesitated, and then gave the man a dazzling smile.

"Very perceptive, Your Majesty. And also very dangerous words to speak… what if the high priest heard you accusing them of magic worship?"

"I would simply suggest a test. I would put you both in a cage and lower you into boiling water."

"I would merely use magic to escape, but he would die?" Merlin said, frowning slightly, "So what would be the point of this test?"

"It would be shown that only you use magic, so it would prove his innocence, would it not?" the man smirked. "I would imagine that he'd be very happy to prove it to me."

"And I'd be just as happy proving myself guilty," Merlin laughed. "My Lord, you have an amazing mind."

"Thank you. If you extend your stay you might find other things about me amazing as well," the man leered.

"My Lord's tone of voice is somewhat inappropriate," Merlin smirked, "But I will stay. As I said, dark times are coming and I'm needed here."

"That talk of dark times is rather depressing. Where did you get this notion?"

"I had a dream, Your Highness. Several, actually, although I…" Merlin coughed a little and looked away, "doubt some of them were truly prophetic."

"Hmmm… well, I approve that you dream of me, my magic boy, but what of these dark times?"

"Oh, not all of them are dark, My Lord! No, you have some splendid times ahead of you as well! Glorious times! Triumphant times!-"

"Pleasurable times?" the king purred and was suddenly a little too close for comfort.

"I… um… Yes, I'm sure…" Merlin stuttered and backed away. He was usually far too confident to even dream of stuttering, least of all in front of a mere mortal, but this man… unnerved him. "But still, from what I've seen, you will need me, My Lord."

"I have a feeling you might be right," the monarch smirked. "So… proof, then. Why should I keep you around? What is going on in this castle right now that needs my attention?"

"Besides the innocent man in the dungeon?"

"Yes, besides him."

"I only arrived this morning and was immediately escorted to that lovely place," Merlin said dryly. "I haven't been able to soak up much of Camelot's atmosphere."

"Good, Then you haven't been able to 'soak up' much of the gossip, either," the king chuckled, and Merlin gave a short bow.

"Very good, Your Highness. Well… let's see… secrets…" he closed his eyes, let his head fall back and took a deep breath. His magic spread out around him, seeking out the hidden thoughts of the castle's inhabitants. He dismissed the thieving scullery maid and the unfaithful blacksmith… although unfaithful with the stable boy…? Hmmm…. interesting…. no, he quickly dragged his thoughts away, as he felt his cheeks color. Whatever they had been doing in the hay had looked… well. No. He searched the minds of the nobility instead and the found a bigger bite than he could chew. His eyes flew open only to meet the king's gray ones, so very, very close.

"Your Majesty!" Merlin gasped and almost fell backwards.

"I was merely checking that you were breathing," the king claimed.

"Of… Of course. Now… secrets. I'm not sure how to tell you this, but your Queen… her heart belongs to another."

"Ah… Guinevere and Lancelot."

"You… you knew? Is this common knowledge?" Merlin gaped.

"No, the knowledge is only mine and I expect you to keep this secret as well."

"Of course, My Lord, but… why would you let this go on?"

"Guinevere and I were betrothed before I gained the throne, and I needed a queen to give me an heir. Unfortunately, that seems like the one thing she is unable of. She's a sweet woman, though, and when she met Lancelot… tell me, have they acted on their desire?"

"No, My Lord."

"Faithful, both then, my Queen and my most trusted knight," the king nodded approvingly. "Merlin, I want your first assignment to be to make sure they have every opportunity to lie together."

"Are you… setting a trap for them, Your Majesty?" the dark haired youth asked, frowning slightly.

"Not at all, I don't intend to trap them. They deserve each other."

"But… why not set them free then? Or at least give them your blessing?"

"Ah, but if they think they are doing wrong, the guilt will make them even more loyal to me," the man chuckled.

"My Lord, I think you have a slightly evil streak," the wizard smiled and shook his head. "But your word is my law. If you wish them to bed each other, they will."

"Good. You will stay as my advisor then, for now. I will introduce you as my personal Astrologer, as that profession is accepted by the church."

"Charlatans, the lot of them," Merlin muttered.

"Are you unhappy with my decision?" the king asked, using that silky voice again, which, to Merlin, screamed 'danger'.

"No! No, My Lord, it's a very wise choice," he hurriedly said.

"Good. Follow me, I will give you the quarters adjoining my own."

"But… are those not the Queen's rooms?"

"Traditionally, yes, but my queen likes to keep small dogs as pets, and I can't stand their yapping. I set her up in her own wing some years ago."

"Ah… that will make things easier for a certain knight, I'm sure," Merlin grinned.

"And for a certain king as well," the man smirked.

Merlin blinked and nodded hesitantly, unsure of what the monarch had meant.

Mere weeks later and the beautiful young man had adapted perfectly to court life. The king had been generous in giving him splendid, very well fitting robes, writing materials and books, anything the wizard had asked for, and Merlin had repaid the generosity in full, by giving his best advice to his lord. Also, Guinevere and Lancelot looked quite a lot guiltier these days.

Merlin was standing next to the king's throne to be at hand should he be needed, and he was, as there was an audience in full session at the moment.

"My Lord! My associate has left like a thief in the night with the gold I owed you," a man claimed at the moment. "I ask for good horses and supplies to hunt him down."

"What do you say, my Merlin, does the stars look favorable on such an endeavor?" the king asked.

"My Lord, indeed they do," Merlin smiled. "But I doubt there will be much need for supplies. His associate is buried in the dung-pit behind his house, and the gold he owes you is safely in this man's chests. But, yes, I would say both will be found."

"How… how did you know!" the man, who now, after a gesture from the king, had guards grabbing his arms. "No one could have known!"

"Oh, Mars is in retrograde," Merlin sighed, waving the question away.

"The audience is at an end for the day," the king announced shortly after and stood up from his throne. "Merlin, would you walk with me?"

"Of course, My Lord," the wizard said humbly.

They left the throne room and came into the great Knight's Hall, where, in the middle, the famous round table stood.

"You really must look up some new phrases. 'Mars in retrograde' is your answer to everything," the king chuckled after making sure that they were alone.

"The subject bores me," the wizard sighed.

"You are lucky that you are the only astrologist at court then," the king smirked.

"Very lucky," Merlin chuckled and stretched. Standing to attention for so long made his body stiff and sore. He hopped up and sat on the famous table to rest his poor feet.

"As disrespectful as ever, I see…" the king smirked.

"Of course, My Lord," Merlin smirked back, having long since learned when the man was serious and when he was not.

"So maybe…" the larger man said slowly and came to stand right in front of his advisor, "I should demand some sort of… compensation?"

As usual when the king was this close, looking at him like he now did, Merlin had trouble thinking straight. The next moment the monarch had put his hands on the wizard's knees, parted them and stepped between them. "You have eluded me long enough."

"But… My King... I have to…to stay…um…"

"Pure? Yes, you told me… I'm afraid I have stopped caring," the man leered, leaning over, placing his hands on the table top.

Merlin gasped as he was forced to lean back, supporting himself on his elbows. He wanted this. He had wanted it since he first saw the king, but he honestly had no idea what it would do with his magic. He kept waking up after wet dreams having his covers turned to feathers or, once, he woke up naked in the middle of a field, a full mile from Camelot. His Lord had not hidden his desires, however, and been quite persistent. It seems like he wouldn't wait any longer.

"My Lord, a moment," the wizard pleaded and raised his hands towards the doors, whose locks clicked shut.

"So it's a yes? Finally?" the man purred.

"Yes… finally…" the wizard smiled. "I cannot deny My King any longer."

"You are as wise as you are beautiful," King Arthur smiled, running his fingers through the black, long, silky tresses, which were now spread out over the table as Merlin had laid down on it fully.

"Well, I guess this is what I get for my father being an incubus…" the young man smiled ruefully.

The king lifted his magician's robes, pushing them up around his waist, baring long, slender legs and a simple loin cloth.

"I think I shall demand that you go without one of these from now on," the man smirked.

"My Lord would get nothing done if I did," the young man on the table grinned.

"That might be true," the king admitted. "Not anything the kingdom would benefit from at least," he added as he undid the knot holding the loin cloth in place. As it fell away, it became apparent that his little wizard was not opposed to what was going on in the least. The ruler's hands went to his own belt and he looked down at the young man with a mix of desire and apology. "I must have you. Now. I swear I will make up for the pain," he said as he freed himself.

"This will help," Merlin said and was suddenly holding a small clay bottle in his hand.

"Where did you get this? More magic?" the king asked as he saw the oil inside.

"No, pockets," the wizard said dryly, but then chuckled. "Please use it? And please… kiss me?"

The king slicked himself up and got in position before he bent down deeper to fulfill his little wizard's wish. Sparks flew as their lips met, actual sparks, scorching the table top just slightly. The man used that moment to push against the tight opening, lodging himself inside the heat of the body beneath him. Merlin gasped and clutched at his king's back.

"I think… I should have inspected your size before agreeing to this…" he moaned.

"If you had, you might never have agreed," the man growled, and pushed forward a little more.

"Maybe… a little magic…?" Merlin gasped, but his hands were caught and pinned down on top of the table.

"Don't you dare!" the man barked, afraid his lover would reduce his size to that of a finger. "I am your king, you should feel me," he added and moved his hips again.

"I… I feel you, My Lord… I… aahhh… mmm… yes… I feel you…"the wizard moaned and wrapped his legs around the man's waist. "Please… more!"

The king was only happy to oblige and soon all the noises in the room were from pleasure. The very air hummed with magic, urging them on until, with a sound like a thunderclap, they both reached their peaks.

Merlin didn't find himself on a field as he opened his eyes this time, but on the floor, half covered by his king.

"My Lord? Are you well?" he asked, worried his magic might have done the man harm.

"I'm more than well, my boy… but the table… My knights will see this as a bad omen."

Merlin lifted his head to see the round table cracked in two. He smirked and raised his hand, and a moment later it was as good as new.

"I couldn't bear lose it," the young man said. "After all, it is the perfect height."

"We should try it out again to make sure it still is," his king leered.

"Any time, My King," Merlin panted.

"How about right now?"

"Now? But I've just… I couldn't possibly-" the wizard groaned, but a hand on his groin, teasing his limp member, soon brought it back to life again. "My King, I suspect you know magic as well…" the blue eyed young man purred. "Surely you put some kind of spell on me…"

The End

A/N: couldn't resist the sappy last line there, sorry… ;) It's a bit weird writing Slade and Robin as other characters… It's damn confusing, but I hope you liked the story, especially as you know how it ends... ;)