Chapter Two: King of Murderers
Merlin wondered what exactly they used to get that wooden flooring to shine quite so impressively. Arthur's chambers had stone flooring, not wood. While Merlin had scrubbed it a couple of times, he'd never aimed for such a shine. It wasn't like Arthur wanted to eat from the floor, right? They had plates and what not. The warlock squinted his eyes and rubbed with his boot at a floor board. Wasn't even slippery or anything, just shiny. Bit excessive, really.
"Merlin!" an annoyed voice bored its way into his thoughts.
The warlock looked up from his pondering the wooden floor and was met by Arthur's clear blue eyes and a sharp frown. The king cocked an impatient eyebrow and raised his goblet. Merlin could barely stop himself to roll his eyes. He stepped closer to the throne, raised the pitcher in his hand, and poured the watered wine.
"Thank you," Arthur said, sarcasm dripping from his voice.
Merlin pasted a decidedly insincere smile on his face and gushed, "I live to serve, my Lord."
The king gritted his teeth. Before he could snap at Merlin, though, Gwen chuckled, "Come on, you two. Pull yourselves together."
Now Arthur looked at the queen in outrage and insisted petulantly, "He started it."
"What?" Merlin glared at him and defended, "I didn't do anything."
"Exactly," Arthur huffed.
Gwen laughed again. Then she smiled at Merlin disarmingly and said, "Can I have a bit more wine as well, please? I get the feeling I won't survive this otherwise."
"Of course, my Lady," the warlock said, now without the sardonic tint.
Smiling at Gwen he poured the wine while Arthur glowered at them both. Then he seemed to resign himself to the state of affairs. He rubbed his temples as if fighting a headache. Arthur turned to Agravaine with an arched eyebrow.
"Let's continue?"
The grin died on Merlin's face as his gaze wandered over the man. Agravaine's expression was carefully arranged into a politely interested mask, Merlin, though, could see that annoyed glint in his eyes. Agravaine did not appreciate this event and neither did he like being ordered about by Arthur. Still, the man smiled at the king warmly and said,
"Of course. With your leave."
Merlin almost rolled his eyes. If only he could throw a tiny little curse at the man. That would at least make him feel better. Feeling annoyed, Merlin watched as Agravaine signalled for Leon. The knight gave a short nod. Always professional, Leon. Really, they did not deserve him at all. Merlin resolutely pushed all thoughts of Agravaine and his machinations away. For now at least. Silently, he resumed his spot behind Arthur's throne. By now, Leon led a man and a woman in front of the throne. The man, bald spot on his head shining even more than the flooring, glared at the woman. She was quite a bit shorter and podgier than the man, and endowed with ample bosom that strained the fastening of her dress. The glare on her face was equally sharp, though.
"Well, then," Arthur said. "What seems to be the problem?"
As if he had only waited for that, the man jumped into a tirade, "Milord, it's 'er tavern tha's the problem. It'd be stinkin' up the whole street, is what. 'n all that riff-raff. Scares me customers right off."
The woman released quite the unlady-like snort. "Beg ya pardon, milord, but he's a right pansy. Jus' yesterday, he waltzed in ter me fine establishment. Demanded a pint of me best ale. So, I says, nah, ya gotta clear yer tab first. Owes me quite the coin, he does. 'cause he likes ter drink himself silly. Then he jus' flipped out. Scared my customers away."
"Stop yer lyin'," the man now glamoured, face turning red with anger. "I don't owe ya shite!"
The woman rolled her eyes and sneered, "There ya go, milord. Ya see what I gotter deal wif. An' if anyone's stinkin' up the streets, it be tha' week ole fish he's tryin' ter flog off."
"Ya crazy, old hag," the man snapped. "Why don't ya tell the king abou' last night, huh? One of yer customers tottered out yer pigsty. Then, jus' in front me shop, tha' bastard squats down and takes a huge-"
Merlin decided to tune out. After all, he was nothing but a humble servant. He really shouldn't worry himself with such kingly business. A smirk curled his lips as he saw how Arthur's left eye started to twitch as he listened to the nagging. Well, it was his own fault, really. He insisted to provide the citizens with the opportunity to have an audience with the king himself every odd month. At least Arthur tried to hide his annoyance behind a faux interested façade. Agravaine wasn't even trying anymore. Angry furrow on his brow, he glowered at the squabbling pair and Merlin thoroughly enjoyed the man's displeasure.
Lazily, the warlock let his gaze wander over the throne room. It was quite crowded. By the entrance door, peasants waited, more or less patiently, to be allowed to step to the throne so they might bring their problems in front of the king. Two of Camelot's guards stood by the huge doors while Elyan and Percival tried to keep the waiting people under control. Sirs Leon, Gwaine, and Owain stood by the king and queen to protect if necessary. A couple of noblemen were present as well, lounging in their seats with servants standing right behind them, and tried to look mighty important. Merlin really had no idea what they even wanted here. Then again, he peered at the tavern matron and the fishmonger who still yelled at each other, the whole affair did have a certain entertainment factor.
Merlin shuffled slightly. His feet started to hurt from all the standing around he was doing. He threw the servant entrance a longing look and wondered if he could risk trying to sneak off. He caught the queen's eye. Gwen smiled at him knowingly and winked. Merlin grinned right back at her. Before he could tiptoe away, though, Arthur raised his goblet again and Merlin poured him more of the watered wine. This time, he couldn't even blame the king. He was thinking about taking a sip right from the pitcher, himself.
.+.
"May the Lord have mercy," Arthur released a long-suffering breath of air.
He peered at Merlin and rubbed a hand over his tired face. The warlock arched an eyebrow at the king which prompted Arthur to add,
"I'm going to end this when the bells toll for Vespers. I don't care how many people still wait. I'm done."
"I don't know what you mean, Sire," Merlin chirped, sarcasm thick to his tone. "I am having the time of my life here."
He grinned at the king for good measure, thoroughly enjoying to tease the other man. Arthur narrowed his eyes and informed him stiltedly, "Well, if you like this, it's going to get even better for you. Because after this I need a trainings session. And you're going to stand in for target practice."
Now Merlin pulled a face and a smirk curled at Arthur's lips. Gwen, harried look hovering about her, threw Arthur a glare and decided, "If you don't end this at Vespers, I might strangle you."
Despite his own exasperation, the king couldn't help but chuckled at that. He sent his wife a decidedly innocent look which only managed to darken the expression on Gwen's face further.
"It's not my fault," Arthur insisted. "This was all Merlin's idea."
The warlock spluttered at that and nearly dropped the pitcher with wine. "Excuse me, what?!"
"It was," Arthur told him haughtily. "You said I should keep myself updated to the woes of my people."
"Yeah," Merlin drawled. "But what I meant was maybe take the occasional stroll through the lower town and have a chat here and there. Not invite everyone into the throne room to have a screaming match."
"Be that as it may."
The king waved a dismissive hand at Merlin as if he were shooing away an especially annoying fly. Merlin threw him a waspish glare, but retreated from the throne. Arthur ignored him completely and motioned for Leon to let the next person step forward, seeing as Agravaine was busy emptying his own goblet of wine. Still grumbling under his breath about annoying prats, Merlin watched as a woman stepped in front of the throne. Only slightly younger than Gaius, her grey hair sat in a messy bun on her head. The hair colour would've matched the coarse fabric of her dress if it hadn't been covered by dirt. All of that wasn't what made Merlin's shoulders tense with a foreboding feeling, though. Through the folds of her dress, he saw the glint of a silver chain. A talisman dangled from the chain, a rune from the Old Religion.
"What is your concern?" Arthur asked, clear blue eyes trained on the old woman.
The old hag bowed to him and said, voice raspy, "My concerns are manifold, king."
Oh, this does not bode well at all, Merlin thought to himself in exasperation. The king, frown on his face, leaned a bit forward in his throne and demanded,
"State your business, then."
The old woman straightened up again and, smirk curving her lips, her eyes shortly slipped to Agravaine before she stared at Arthur again. Through the corners of his eyes, Merlin saw the knights tense. They had obviously sensed something off as well.
"My strife," the old woman declared loudly, fire burning in her eyes. "is with you, king of murderers."
Anger erupted on Arthur's face at that address and whispers erupted in the hall. The king glared at the woman, thunderous expression on his features, and his fingers twitched as if longing to reach for his sword. It was Gwen's hand on his arm that did the trick. With visible effort Arthur pulled himself together. Voice tart, he snapped at Leon,
"Escort her off the premises."
Instantly, Leon stepped forward to grab the offending woman. Merlin wasn't completely surprised as the old hag released a cackle, not impressed by the knight.
"I don't think so," the old woman spat at Arthur. "Not until you pay for what you have done."
Her hand snapped up and her eyes glowed golden. A harsh blue light careened through the air. It rammed into Leon and the knight cried out in surprise as he was hurled away. With a loud crash he landed on the stone floor, gasping for air. People yelled in fear, noblemen ducked under the tables, servants screamed and ran for the door, knights pulled their swords. In short, the throne room quickly descended into chaos. Merlin stood, frozen into place, by the throne with the pitcher of wine in his hand. While the knights surrounded the old woman, swords at the ready, the warlock couldn't help but notice that Agravaine hadn't joined them. Surreptitiously, the man held himself at the back of the events, watching.
"Surrender," Gwaine growled at the woman.
Sword raised, the knight advanced on her. The other knights swiftly followed suit. Even Leon, face pale from the previous attack, joined them.
"I'm not here for you," the sorceress sneered at them.
Elyan, grim look on his face, raised his sword and slashed it through the air. Owain quickly followed suit and swung his sword. It would've cut right into the sorceress' side. She raised her hand again and hissed,
"Oferswing!"
(Strike!)
Instantly, Elyan and Owain were pushed away. They lost their footing and impacted hard with the floor, armour leaving deep scratches in the wooden flooring.
"Damn it!" Gwaine barked.
He lunged forward, jabbing his sword towards the sorceress' chest. The woman easily waved her hand and Merlin watched with wide eyes as Gwaine crashed into one of the tables. The table burst under the impact and the knight groaned in pain, lying in a heap of wood. The sorceress, malicious glint in her eyes, now turned to Arthur and panic was descending upon Merlin. The king had drawn his sword as well and stood protectively in front of Gwen. Merlin's eyes frantically switched from the king to the sorceress. He needed to do something! His magic was rushing through him in a panicked rage, seeking to be released. Merlin's hands trembled heavily and the pitcher fell to the floor, spilling wine.
"Protect the king!" Leon barked out the order.
Through the corners of his eyes, Merlin saw the knights rushing towards Arthur. There was a copiously bleeding gash at Gwaine's temple but it didn't stop the knight.
"You won't get away with this, sorceress!" Arthur barked at her in his anger.
Sword in hand, the king faced the witch. Merlin felt his heart racing in his chest as the sorceress once again raised her hand and he could already feel the magic gathering around her. Arthur had fallen into his fighting stance, ready for her attack, and panic curled tightly around Merlin.
"You will die, king!" the woman screeched at Arthur, fury burning in her eyes.
Merlin's eyes flew over the throne room to find any way to stop this. This time around, though, there were no chandeliers that could conveniently drop on the witch, no wooden beam that might mysteriously fall loose to bury her. In any case, too many eyes were assembled. There was nothing Merlin could do in stealth and fear twisted around him.
"Arthur!" Gwen cried, panic in her tone.
Fear clenched around Merlin's heart as he watched Arthur attack the sorceress with nothing but his sword. The woman cackled as the king brandished his sword in a wide arc, seeking to cut into her neck. She raised her hand, eyes burning golden. Arthur immediately abandoned his attack. It had never been more than a feint. Arthur ducked, one knee on the floor, and the magic rushed over his head, missing him by a hair's breadth. Not missing a beat, he pushed himself forward and Merlin saw something glinting in the king's left hand. Arthur had pulled his dagger. Faster than a sword could ever be, the dagger sliced through the air. The sorceress shrieked out in pain and staggered away. Crimson red, blood ran from a deep cut in her shoulder and soaked into the grey of her dress. Arthur never hesitated but pressed on. His sword hissed forward sharply, its tip aiming for the sorceress' stomach.
The attack should've impaled her and killed her. Arthur was fast and really the best swordsman in the whole of Camelot and beyond. But seconds before the king's sword could deliver that fatal blow, a wave of furious magic erupted from the woman. The king gasped in pain as the maelstrom seized him and hurled him away, the sword tumbling from his hand. The knights were hit by the shockwave of magic as well and violently pushed away. Gwen's fearful sob echoed through Merlin,
"No. Arthur…"
Merlin's breath hitched as he stared at the queen. Tears glinting in her eyes, she weakly leaned against the side of her throne and stared at where Arthur had fallen. Now unarmed, the king lay on the floor, dizzy and hurt, as he pushed himself up. His knights weren't faring any better. The breath had been knocked out of them and they tried to struggle to their feet. There was a wild, triumphant look on her face as the sorceress advanced on the fallen king. That look of triumph was eerily mirrored on Agravaine's face. Merlin balled his hands into tight fists and without the shadow of a doubt he knew that Arthur's uncle had instigated this. Merlin's heart skipped a fearful beat as he watched the sorceress tower over his best friend.
"It's time to rid the world of you, Pendragon," the sorceress declared, magic humming around her.
Jaw set, Arthur glared up at her and was not willing to back down, even now. His voice rung clear and loud as he said commandingly, "Do what you must, witch. But know that you will not get away with your crimes."
The sorceress scoffed at him. Her magic still crackled around her as she slowly raised a hand, ready to strike Arthur down. Merlin couldn't think as his mind twisted into a panicked mess. This was it. He knew it. His time was up. What choice did he have?
"Stop."
Not as loud, not as clear as the king's, Merlin's voice still managed to cut through the tense silence. He could feel Gwen's tearful eyes on him, her worry carrying him away. Shaking all over, Merlin took a step towards the sorceress. All eyes were on him now, and they burned right through him. His voice trembled as he repeated,
"Stop this."
He could see the derision glinting in the sorceress' eyes. She wouldn't stop. Of course, the scorn dripped from her lips, "What now, servant boy? What do you hope to achieve?"
Merlin shook his head gently and begged her, "Please, just leave."
It was almost comical how no one dared to move. Not the knights, neither noblemen, nor peasants, they all watched with baited breath as the sorceress still had her hand raised at the king, magic burning around her splayed fingers. Arthur, blue eyes wide, stared up at Merlin. There was a sharp frown between his eyebrows, though, as he hissed at Merlin,
"What are you doing, idiot? Get away."
If he weren't shaking so badly, Merlin would have barked out a laugh. He risked a glance at the king. His own voice sounded strange to Merlin as it came from his raw throat,
"Arthur… I… I'm sorry. Forgive me."
Confusion slid over Arthur's handsome features. Before he could question his servant, though, the sorceress had had enough. Voice sharp as a knife, she snarled,
"Enough of this!" She glared down at the king. "Your end is nigh. Prepare."
As if time had slowed down, Merlin watched her as she brought down her hand. Her magic flared around her and rushed through her fingers. Loaded with hate, it would kill Arthur. Merlin allowed no more doubts in his head. His magic sung to him as he flicked his fingers and let it free. The warlock could feel his eyes burn up with the force as he cried out,
"Gescildan!"
(Shield!)
A golden shield pulsed into life around the king. The sorceress' attack crashed into the shield and burst into nothing with a loud crack. It was followed by deafening silence. Merlin glimpsed Arthur's face, white as chalk, as the king stared at him. He couldn't… didn't dare look any closer and averted his eyes.
"Who are you?" the sorceress screamed in mindless rage. "Why are you defending him?!"
The woman now faced Merlin and her magic flared around her in a vengeful cloud. Merlin worried his bottom lip. Voice soft, he replied,
"No one. Just… no one."
"You're one of us!" the woman thundered at him, spittle flying from her mouth. "Why fight for the murderer?"
An answer was not what she sought. It had always been vengeance. Sharp as a blade, her magic cut through the air and careened towards Merlin. Her attack was powerful, but Merlin's magic was keen to meet it. The force burned up in him and he could feel it flashing through his eyes, giving them a golden hue. His magic wrapped around hers and mercilessly throttled it until there was nothing left. The woman's eyes widened as she saw her attack thwarted. She stumbled a step away from him and stammered,
"Y- you… you… Who are you?!"
"Please," Merlin whispered. "Don't do this. Leave."
The hate burning in her magic told him that she would not. That this could not end easily. Hand trembling, the sorceress waved it again, summoning her magic. Merlin did not want to prolong this anymore. His magic licked over him, whispered to him, and begged him to be set free once again. With a heavy heart, Merlin followed his magic's call. He let it well out of him and with a deep voice, he formed it into a spell,
"Swilte, scinnlæce!"
(Die violently, sorceress.)
The very air roiled with his magic and the force sung to him. Bristling with power, it rushed towards the witch, rammed into her body, and brutally flung her away. Merlin saw her eyes widen in shock. No sound left her lips as the sorceress was violently pushed away. She impacted hard with the throne room's stone wall and Merlin winced as he heard a sharp crack. The woman tumbled to the floor where she sagged down, not moving anymore. Merlin stared at her still form. There was a pang of regret. He could sense her magic dying, dissolving into nothing, never to come back. Sorrow gripped him as he stared at her body and mourned a life lost. Silence reigned in the throne room and Merlin's mind buzzed with grief as he watched her magic and her being disappear. It was a yell, full of hate, that ripped him back into the situation at hand,
"Sorcerer!"
The situation sharpened around him and a surge of fear cut through Merlin's thoughts. Wide with upcoming panic, his eyes danced over the room.
"He's a fuckin' sorcerer!"
One of the servants spat out, disgust in his eyes. Merlin didn't recognize the man, but he did know the hate on the man's face. Nobles and servants alike all stared at him. Some of those faces held fear, some disgust, all of them that very same hate. Merlin's whole body stiffened as their accusatory gazes sliced into him. The knights, swords still in hand, now turned their weapons on him and Merlin swallowed nervously. Quickly, he lowered his hands in a gesture of peace.
"I… I…"
No explanation came to him, though. Panic flaring in his chest, Merlin watched how Leon's fingers curled tightly around the hilt of his sword as if steeling himself for something.
"What was that?"
The familiar voice came from behind him and Merlin trembled as he heard the anger wrapped around it. Everything in him screamed to run, but he couldn't. He had to face this. Breath coming in fearful gasps, Merlin slowly turned around.
There he stood, King Arthur, in all his glory, and Merlin did not dare meet his eyes. Panic mounted up in him until he could barely breathe. Magic. Magic. Merlin had used magic and Arthur had seen it. No lie could explain this away. The warlock stared at the sword that lay on the floor beside Arthur's feet. Up his gaze wandered, over kingly garments, a heavy golden chain around his neck, and higher still. Merlin could hear his own blood rushing in his ears, driven by fear he could barely contain.
Then he stared into sharp eyes. There was a furious storm raging in those blue orbs, screaming murder at Merlin. A hushed silence had fallen over the hall, the hate of the others momentarily suspended in face of the king's wrath. Merlin barely noticed. Everything else was pushed into the background – staring nobles, dumbfounded knights, panicking servants, nothing mattered anymore – until only that fury, burning in his friend, existed.
"A- Arthur?"
His voice was a pathetic whisper and yet, to his ears, it echoed deafeningly loud in the silence of the hall. The king didn't reply. The anger blazing in his eyes didn't go away either.
"What was that?" Arthur demanded to know, menacing edge lacing his words.
"I- I-" Merlin stuttered pathetically. "It was… She was attacking you and I- I had to stop her. I'm sorry. I didn't have any other choice. She would've killed you. I'm so sorry. I didn't want you to find out like this. Please, Arthur, believe me. I j- just… I needed to stop h-"
"With magic?" Arthur harshly cut over him and Merlin flinched.
The warlock swallowed thickly around the lump in his throat. In a shaky voice, he confessed, "It was the only thing I could do. I know i- it looks bad, but I can explain."
He could see Arthur's jaw clench as if forcing composure and Merlin trembled.
"Magic," the king hissed, no longer a question. "You are a sorcerer."
Merlin's throat rough, he didn't think he would've been able to say any more. So, he just gave him a nod. The truth was out, finally. It wasn't the relief he had always hoped it would be. Merlin had imagined it often, but only in his nightmares it had been like this.
"So, it's you."
Merlin whirled around. His eyes widened as he found Agravaine just a few steps away from him. The man stared at Merlin in pure disbelief. There was, though, a sliver of recognition awakening in the man's eyes that made Merlin's breath hitch. Agravaine's gaze wandered over Merlin, taking the warlock in, and realisation crawled over his face. Still, incredulity laced his tone as Agravaine whispered,
"And you've been at court all this time…? At Arthur's side?"
Merlin couldn't get any air into his lungs as panic cruelly descended upon him while his magic rushed through him, an anxious mess. His whole body stood petrified in fear as he felt all the eyes on him. At the sight, vile amusement gleamed in Agravaine's eyes. Merlin felt sick as he could hear the scorn lurking in the man's tone,
"How you've managed to deceive him."
Merlin opened his mouth to deny, but his voice had abandoned him. It was then that something flashed through Agravaine's eyes, dark and full of hate. Like a viper seeking to strike its teeth into prey, the man shot towards Merlin. A dagger slashed after the warlock's throat with murderous intent. With a spike of panic, instinct carried Merlin's actions. He sharply brought his hands up and allowed his magic to burst free. For a second, Merlin could see Agravaine's eyes widen in shock. Then the man was brutally flung away. He knocked into the floor. There was a sickeningly wet sound as Agravaine's head impacted with the stone. He tumbled before he lay still, eyes open and unseeing.
"NO!"
Merlin stared, heart hammering away in his chest, as Arthur sunk down beside his uncle. Eyes blown wide, the king stared down at Agravaine. His hand shook as he gingerly placed it on the man's shoulder. The broken look on Arthur's face sent an agonizing stab right through Merlin's chest. Weakly, he stumbled a step back.
"I… I didn't…"
At Merlin's trembling voice, Arthur's head snapped to him. The grief rapidly bled from his handsome features and soon frost covered the king's face. Slowly, Arthur climbed to his feet, stony eyes never leaving Merlin. The warlock was quaking in fear and yet could not look away from the king. Arthur's face was an unreadable, cold mask as he walked over to Merlin, steps measured like a predator stalking its prey. The warlock felt the strong need to shy away from the king. He remained rooted to the spot, though, and soon Arthur stood right in front of him. Merlin hunched his shoulders and stared at the king fearfully.
"I… didn't mean to…" he whispered pathetically.
Arthur's unforgiving gaze cut into him and Merlin barely dared to draw breath. Something snapped in the king's eyes. Before Merlin knew what happened, Arthur pulled back his fist and placed a harsh punch to Merlin's jaw. A gasp of shock and pain on his lips, the warlock impacted hard with the stone floor. His head swam, jaw throbbing in pain.
"You killed him," Arthur whispered, hate tightly wrapped around his voice. "Sorcerer."
He spat that last word with disgust. Merlin lay at the king's feet and stared up at him with wide eyes. The metallic taste of blood was on his tongue and this was so wrong. So wrong. Merlin didn't know what to do. Panic clouded his mind as the world he had so carefully crafted around himself collapsed. And all his lies were strangling him. The king wasn't finished with him. Arthur bent down and grabbed Merlin by his shirt. Only absently, the warlock noted how everyone in the hall breathlessly watched the spectacle between their king and his servant. Arthur brutally wrenched Merlin up into a kneeling position. Destructive fury was still dancing in the king's eyes. This was much worse than Merlin's nightmares. His magic told him to protect himself, but he wouldn't allow it to lash out at Arthur.
"Y- you…" Merlin croaked out. "Let me explain, please. I mean no harm."
Again, Arthur raised his fist and mercilessly punched Merlin in the face. Merlin felt his lip split and blood gushed from his mouth. He yelped and only Arthur's hand on his shirt kept him upright.
"You lied to me," the king hissed, venom dripping from his words. "You're consumed by evil!"
Arthur's fist cruelly impacted with his nose and Merlin yelled out. He could barely take in any breath with the blood gushing from his nose and down his throat. It wasn't supposed to be like this. Not like this!
"P- please," he pleaded. "I can e- explain."
"You betrayed me," Arthur said, voice dipped in hate.
As he glared down at Merlin, disgust tugged at Arthur's features. Merlin felt hot tears prickling in his eyes as he stared up at that loathing aimed at him. Feebly, he whispered,
"I'd never betray you."
The disgust stayed on Arthur's face. Without a warning, the king sharply brought up his knee and rammed it into Merlin's chin. Everything exploded into pain. Merlin's head snapped back under the force and his body crashed into the stone floor. Arthur towered over him and Merlin curled up on the floor, trying to make himself as small as possible. A kick hit him in the back and he yelped in pain. Another to his side and something cracked. Merlin sucked in a sharp breath of air. The next kick was aimed at his head and he desperately curled his arm around his head. Arthur's boot hit his forearm and it fractured in a surge of pain.
"Arthur… please," Merlin choked out.
Arthur grabbed him by the shoulder, fingers biting into Merlin. A whimper left the warlock as he was turned around so he lay on his stomach. He hissed in pain as his arm was brutally twisted and a harsh knee bored into his back. He couldn't move, couldn't breathe. The pressure on his back increased and suddenly, Arthur's voice hissed right into his ear, threat clear,
"Never call me that again."
Merlin's arm was twisted even further and he cried out in pain. Desperately, he tried to get air into his lungs. The king was relentless and demanded a reply,
"Do you understand?"
"Ah," Merlin gasped.
The brutal hand on his arm tightened and Merlin almost had to throw up with the pain.
"Answer me, sorcerer!"
Merlin was suffocating. Everything was pain. His thoughts swam in a haze of agony. Still, he managed to sob out,
"Yes, Sire."
The next thing he realised was that the knee was gone from his back and he could suck in precious air into his lungs. Merlin shuddered as waves of pain washed over his body. There were no more blows, though. He whimpered as he flopped on his side. His left side was aflame with pain and he curled around it. Everything ached and he could barely form any thought.
Trembling all over, Merlin blinked his eyes open. The throne room spun around him, making him violently dizzy. Arthur was still there and Merlin whimpered in fear. The king, though, didn't spare him any attention. Instead, he barked orders at a pair of guards.
Blurry faces swam around Merlin. Most, he didn't recognize. They all stared at him in shock and disgust. There was Gwaine, face twisted with fury, as he yelled something. Three guards had to restrain the knight. Merlin blinked his eyes and the vertigo got even worse. Gwen stood still by the throne and her eyes were wide with shock as she stared at Merlin. Elyan was by her side, holding her gently. Percival stood beside them and he still held his sword. Merlin could see the knight's hand tremble slightly. The warlock gasped in another painful breath. Sir Leon had stepped over to the king. The knight's face had never been so pale, Merlin noted stupidly.
"Right away!" Arthur snarled at two guards.
The men bowed to him and then turned to Merlin. His sluggish thoughts couldn't quite catch up as they stepped closer. One of the guards bent down to him and grabbed him. As he was wrenched up, Merlin's world once again was torn up in pain. He wanted to scream, but only a whimper left him. Everything spun even worse as he suddenly was upright again, flanked on both sides by a guard. Merlin could feel blood flowing down his face. It dripped from his chin in a steady flow.
The guards dragged him off and each of their steps sent excruciating pain through Merlin's body. His head felt like stuffed with cotton wool and darkness. Camelot's hallways were there, familiar. People stared, none spoke. The darkness draped over him completely and the next time Merlin could think again, the guards pulled him down a flight of uneven stairs. The air was cold and stale. Torches burned at the walls. There was the clinking of keys. Metal bars, rusty with age. Merlin swallowed and could only taste blood. The guards threw him and he crashed to the floor. More pain and the darkness took him again.
.+.