Merlin awoke in the middle of the night, his heart beating fast. He didn't understand what had woken him up so abruptly, all he felt was he needed to wake up. Quickly shooting up from his bed, he threw his neckerchief off, cringing at how soaked it was. He turned towards the door, reaching for the handle, he immediately threw it open, seeing the manor was as dark as he remembered. His body started to relax slightly. Must have been just one of his stupid feelings. He closed his door, turning into the room. He needed to start getting ready for his shift anyways. Walking over to his clothes, he started to pull his jacket off, but froze when he spotted a darker corner. He shot his head to the spot, seeing it was just the shadow of the curtains. He chuckled at himself. He was freaking himself out all because he got injured and caught off guard once.
He continued to pull off his jacket, looking down at his dull outfit. It was a black t-shirt, blue skinny jeans and converse. He missed dressing like this but knew his job required a uniform. Didn't mean he liked it. He walked over to the closet, hanging his Jacket up. As he turned to his room, he felt a hand press against his mouth, shoving him against the closet door.
Merlin squealed, his eyes looking up to spot who had a hold on him. A rogue. Merlin immediately kicked the man in the nuts, watching him cave in on himself. Acting fast, Merling jumped over the man, now knowing what all those warnings were about.
"Arthur!" Merlin screamed, opening the door. His waist was grabbed, lifting him off of the ground. Merlin squealed, seeing Percival and Lancelot come out of their rooms just in time to see the man try to put a rag over Merlin's mouth.
Percival acted fast, running he practically slammed all of them to the floor. Merlin managed to get free, ripping his shirt since the guy had such a harsh grip. Merlin scurried to the wall, meeting Lancelot who helped him up. Percival managed to restrain the man just as the other Servants and Arthur came into the room.
Merlin was breathing heavily, gripping Lancelot's forearms with a deathgrip. "What happened?" Arthur demanded.
"Merlin was being attacked by this man." Replied Percival.
Arthur shot his gaze to Merlin who looked a mess. His shirt was torn and his hair was a sticking up. Arthur turned his gaze to the one being pinned on the ground.
"Who are you?" Arthur demanded, glaring at the man.
The man smirked. "A man of many. You think I'm going to be the only one trying to get him? You are wrong. He is wanted and the man after him will not rest until he has him. Torment me all you want. I'm not talking."
Merlin gulped. "Why does he want me?" He finally asked.
The man chuckled. "I never asked the question. I was merely acting out orders. I'd watch your back." He teased.
Merlin shivered. The thought of being a target by the rogues gave him anxiety. He hated the feeling of constantly looking over his shoulder. Knowing this is where his life is going to take him, made him gulp.
"What should I do with him, Master Pendragon?" Percival asked.
"Kill him. He isn't worth keeping alive." Says Arthur.
Percival nodded, following orders. He picked up the man with the help of Elyan and Gwaine, all three of them escorting him out of the room and down the stairs.
Lancelot looked down at Merlin, spotting some blood on his arm. He turned Merlin's arm over, seeing two deep scratches on his arm. Merlin glanced down at them, gulping at the look. They weren't exactly a doctors house call deep but they were deep enough for some concern.
"How are you feeling, Merlin?" Asks Gwen.
Merlin gulped. "Shaken, but I'm okay." He says, pulling his arms in close, practically hugging himself. "He had quite the grip on my waist. Any higher with that and he definitely would have broken a rib when Percival knocked us down." Merlin explained, rubbing his stomach.
Arthur walked over to Merlin, grabbing his injured arm. "Come with me. The rest of you clean up." He says, guiding Merlin away from the others, holding onto his wrist. Merlin didn't complain, following Arthur into the study.
Once they entered, Merlin watched as Arthur let him go, reaching for a first aid kit on his shelf. He placed it on the desk, pointing at a chair. Merlin walked over, taking a seat. Without an exchange, Merlin rested his arm on the table, watching as Arthur went straight to cleaning it.
They sat in silence for a long moment, until Arthur spoke. "Do you have an idea as to why these people want you?" He finally asks.
Merlin looked over at the scratches. "I don't."
"Rogues have never been so bold as to break into my Manor. Whatever they want from you, they won't stop until they get it." He explained.
Merlin swallowed spit, looking down at the tear in his shirt. "Could this… be putting everyone in harm's way? I don't want that to be the case. Should I… leave the Manor?" he asks.
Arthur paused the cleaning. He looked over at Merlin, who had a sad look on his face. His lips were in a tight line and his eyes held the ground. Arthur's eyes traveled to his wrists, seeing some blood leak out from where he had previously washed.
"No. You may not leave the Manor. These are orders." Merlin shot his head to Arthur, who was eyeing his cuts. "This isn't a Master talking, this is a council member. Whoever is after you wont stop and having more people to help and protect you is best." He explained.
Merlin nodded slowly, risking a look up, he noticed Arthur had his eyes glued to the blood on his cuts. He wasn't moving nor was he doing anything like that. Merlin couldn't help but notice, Arthur looked almost as if he wanted to… drink the blood.
Merlin gulped, not knowing what to do in this situation. The thought of Rogues biting him was another situation that scared the hell out of him, but Arthur didn't seem to evoke that kind of fear. He felt asking Arthur if he wanted to drink his blood was too bold to ask a Master and would get Arthur upset, but the longer he took in Arthurs features, the more he wanted to ask. He couldn't seem to explain why at this moment it was like seeing Arthur for the first time.
When Merlin caught Arthurs lips, he blushed red, turning away from him. What exactly is he thinking?
"I'll… uhm… I will stay." Merlin finally spoke, looking over at Arthur, expecting to accidentally hit his eyes, but Arthur didn't budge. Merlin shifted in his seat, reaching over to grab Arthur's hand. That startled him out of it. "Are you… okay?" He asks.
Arthur gulped, finally moving away from Merlin. "My apologies. It's a full moon and I haven't had a meal yet." He says.
Merlin knew he was going to regret this, but deciding on his feet, he spoke. "If… you are hungry… you can take some from uh… from me." Merlin finally said.
Arthur snapped his gaze to Merlin, who had to quickly look down to avoid his eyes. "Excuse me?" Arthur barked.
Merlin flinched, knowing that was a bad idea. "It was just a suggestion." He whispered.
Arthur looked down at the blood. With the inviting offer, he wanted to take it, but the ideal of never drinking from the vein stuck in his mind. Was he this thirsty that he was willing to throw that rule out? And on a servant of all people.
Arthur bit down on his tongue, grabbing for the gauze and quickly placing it on his injury. He started wrapping it, feeling much better having Merlin's injury wrapped and away from sight. Once Merlin was completely wrapped and everything was forgotten, he cleared his throat.
"Return to your room and tell Gwen I request a Meal." He says, his voice slightly strained. Merlin gulped, sitting up, he felt Arthur's hand grip his wrist roughly, causing him to gasp in pain.
"Ow! That hurts!" He snapped.
Arthur tightened it. "If you ever offer your blood to me again, It will be the last time you step into this position again. Understood?" Merlin snapped coldly.
Merlin gritted his teeth. "U-Understood."
Arthur let him go, hearing Merlin scamper away, the door slamming closed. He let out a shaky breath. This moment was too close for comfort. He nearly broke his own vow, all for a drink that Merlin was so willing to give. Why was he so willing?
These questions only added more questions, so he decided to not think about it. Instead he tried to think about the threat at hand. It was definitely going to be an interesting couple of months ahead.