Uther stopped behind the servant's entrance to the throne room as he heard Arthur speak.
"I cannot believe you did it."
He hid around the corner, the narrowly open door looking onto the empty throne room. Uther carefully turned his head to see Arthur's arms on his sister's shoulders. Uther made sure he was out of sight as he watched Morgana and Arthur hug each other close.
The dethroned king felt a shudder of disgust run down his spine. Even though they knew the truth… how can they possible hold each other so close after only recently declaring their love for each other?
"You should have had more faith in me, brother." She chuckled. "Now you can finally be… who you were born to be." She said.
"You're the first born… the throne should be yours." Arthur added.
"No, Uther declared you his heir. I don't need such a thing. I want to learn my magic and learn to control it, that's what I want to focus on." Morgana said. "Now, I'll leave you two alone, I think you have a lot to talk about."
Uther felt a horrible unpleasant feeling twisting in his gut as he heard Morgana say those words. Magic? Morgana had magic? Was this all planned? If so… since when had they known?
"So… it looks like I'm a single man once more." Arthur said. Uther frowned. Who was Arthur speaking to now?
The serving boy, Merlin, stepped closer. "That's not funny." The boy replied, frowning at Arthur. Arthur looked at him in a way that made Uther very confused. The fondness in his expression made the reality before him so hard to believe that his mind could not process it.
Arthur took the serving boy's hands and stood close to him, pressing his forehead to Merlin's.
"I'm sorry, Merlin." Arthur said.
"I'm sorry too." They stood in silence for a few seconds. "Did we do the right thing?" Merlin asked.
"I don't want to rule a kingdom without you by my side." Arthur said. Merlin looked up.
"Arthur…" He held onto Arthur's shirt. The look they were sharing was enough to make Uther sick to his stomach. "Kiss me."
"As you wish, my love." They leaned in and kissed each other with an adoration that made Uther's stomach twist with rage.
This was what really was happening? He had been stripped of his crown for this?!
Despite the urge to storm out and run the serving boy through, he calmed himself and made his way back to his rooms.
"Did you see the truth?" Morgause spoke from where she sat, a smirk on her face as she watched him come in.
"I will not let this end like this." Uther said.
"I can help you with that." Morgause said.
"Why would you help me? After what I did to your family?" Uther demanded.
"Emrys and Arthur made my sister turn her back on me. I don't want them to get what they want." She said simply.
"And what do you propose?" Uther asked, glaring at her with distaste and distrust.
"I will give you a ring for Arthur. It will render him under your control. That way you may manage Camelot until you feel that he is ready to become king." She said simply. She took out a cloth that she began to open. An elaborate golden ring grasping onto a red stone.
Uther took the item, staring at the glistening gem, glistening with an eerie glow if he held it against the candlelight just right. "I place this on Arthur and Arthur will obey everything I command?" Uther asked.
Morgause smirked and nodded. "He will do all you ask of him."
"If I ask him to execute every resident in Camelot, he will do it?" He asked.
"Anything."
"If I ask him to execute that serving boy, Merlin, he'll do it?" Uther continued, looking at the gem closer.
"And relish every moment." She replied.
"And what do you want in exchange?" Uther demanded.
Morgause looked at him with all seriousness in her eyes. "I want my father's lands returned to me. I want all his wealth returned to me. I want a shrine to be built in my mother's name with Camelot funds. I may not be able to bury her body properly, as those who practice magic are thrown in unmarked graves," She said with hate dripping from every syllable. "but I will have you honouring her memory that way. You will grant me pardon for practicing magic, as well as pardon Morgana. That will be all I ask and nothing more." She said.
Uther stared at her for a long time. "You have my word." Not that he owed any loyalty to this filthy magic user. Uther would take her magic and use to his benefit, starting by having her executed the very day he gained control back.
oOoOoOo
Merlin shifted uncomfortable where he was forced to sit, right next to Arthur, on the spot where Arthur himself used to sit. Arthur was now sat on the king's throne and Uther had not shown himself at all since Arthur had been crowned king a few days ago.
"Stop fidgeting." Morgana whispered as she reached over for a slice of bread.
"This feels wrong." Merlin insisted, keeping his eyes locked on the plate of food he'd barely touched, knowing that if he looked up, he'd see the courtiers giving him curious looks from time to time and whispering to each other. He knew whatever they were saying couldn't be good, but he didn't dare use his magic to listen.
Arthur reached for his hand then, holding it gently. Merlin froze, looking up at Arthur, knowing that their joined hands could be clearly visible to all those watching. "It's getting late, let's retire." He said.
Merlin deflated with relief and smiled, nodding, getting to his feet as quickly as he could. When the king stood, everyone rose to their feet.
"Friends, I bid you all a good night, please enjoy the rest of the feast." Arthur said. Merlin followed Arthur, like he'd always done and sighed with relief once everyone was out of hearing range.
"I'll never get used to that." Merlin said.
"You're my husband, Merlin. You'll have to get used to it." Arthur said, slowing down until Merlin was walking beside him. "I want you by my side, always." He said, taking his hand.
Merlin felt his heart race, looking up at Arthur's gentle smile and looked away, shocked at just how much he seemed to love the prat.
They walked the rest of the way in silence, hand in hand until they reached Arthur's room.
"How's your magic feeling?" Arthur asked, removing his cloak.
Merlin tested it out, creating a simple orb and moving it around at will. "Fairly in control." He smiled, coming to help Arthur with the rest of his clothes. "Looks like eloping worked." He said.
"Hmm…" Was all that Arthur said and Merlin gulped as he reached to pull up Arthur's shirt off of him. The intense way Arthur was looking at him made Merlin feel hot and nervous all at the same time. The energy shifted from the usual servant duties to something deeper as Arthur reached to undo the finer garbs that Merlin had been made to wear since Arthur became king.
It was torturous, the way his fingers seemed to ignite a flame wherever they caressed Merlin's skin and Merlin had to wonder, if Arthur felt the same whenever Merlin was dressing or undressing him.
"A-arthur…" Merlin whispered, leaning closer to him as Arthur let his hand rest on Merlin's hip, pulling him closer by the neck into a loving kiss that left him breathless.
"Merlin… I want to ask you something." Arthur said. Merlin looked at him and saw a flicker of vulnerability in the king of Camelot's eyes.
"What is it?" Merlin asked.
"I want you to…" Arthur's gaze flickered down before coming back to meet his eyes. "I want you to be the one to embrace me…"
Merlin stared at him for a long time, a shudder running down his spine but he wasn't sure if it was good or bad. "I don't want to hurt you." He said with a frown.
"Is that all you feel when I hold you?" Arthur asked. Merlin quickly shook his head.
"No! But… it… I…" Merlin felt the heat rush to his face. "I've never… done it… I might not do it right and I don't…" Merlin wished the ground would open up and swallow him whole, but Arthur didn't mock him or laugh at him. He simply kissed him deeply once more.
"I won't force you to do anything every again." Arthur said, pulling Merlin over to the bed. Merlin felt the soft sheets against his back and shuddered as Arthur climbed on top of him, kissing him deeply, each kiss becoming feverish.
Merlin wondered… what would it feel like? To dominate Arthur. He loved the feeling of having Arthur's strong body over his, taking full control. Would Arthur enjoy it too if Merlin did the same?
"Merlin…" Arthur whispered against his lips and Merlin felt something snap inside him, turning them around so he was on top.
"I want to try it." Merlin said.
"Really?" Arthur asked, hopeful and sitting up, but Merlin placed his hand on Arthur's chest, shoving him back down, making the king look up at him in surprise and annoyance.
"Yes." Merlin said, leaning down to kiss Arthur deeply, muffling whatever complaint the king was going to give at Merlin's shove. Arthur reached up to grab onto him, holding him closer and Merlin relished every minute. He reached up and took Arthur's hands, threading their fingers before pressing his hands down on either side of Arthur's head.
Merlin leaned back, panting already as he looked at Arthur's flushed expression, looking a little bit scared at him and Merlin smirked.
"Merlin?" Arthur asked.
"Shh…" Merlin whispered, leaning down to caress Arthur's lips. "You're not allowed to move." Merlin declared and Arthur surprisingly complied.
Merlin caressed Arthur's cheek and Arthur's eyes almost seem to glisten at whatever he must have seen in Merlin's expression.
"Tonight… you'll do everything I say." Merlin whispered and Arthur nodded slowly. Merlin leaned down and kissed him, trailing kisses down the side of Arthur's jaw, down his neck, savouring each delightful sound coming from his king as he went lower.
Merlin coated his fingers to prepare Arthur, taking his time in distracting him with kisses and nibbles and soft bites as he took his time with him.
Merlin shuddered as he watched Arthur squirm underneath him, panting, tensing, relaxing and going back and forth until eventually he relaxed, trusting himself to Merlin entirely.
"Merlin… please…" Arthur begged and Merlin had to resist every instinct that was demanding he take Arthur now.
"Arthur… are you sure? It might be a bit uncomfortable." Merlin insisted.
"I don't care. I want you to embrace me. Now, Merlin. That's an order from your king." Arthur hissed, pulling him down to a hungry kiss. Merlin didn't follow his command.
"Tut, tut. I'm the one in control tonight, Arthur." Merlin said and smiled once more at Arthur's frustrated and flushed expression. Merlin didn't have the heart to keep him waiting long. After a few feverish kisses, Merlin held Arthur close as he pressed against him. Arthur tensed up again and Merlin kissed his neck. "Relax, Arthur." He whispered against his ear.
It took them a few minutes, but they had nothing but time. Merlin shuddered once they were finally joined and leaned in to kiss Arthur softly. "I love you." Merlin whispered.
"Merlin… I love you too."
Gone was the thought of them waiting for the next winter. Their words felt true and raw and unchanging, despite their promise to keep things normal, until they had time to decide.
It seemed that their hearts had long since made their decisions irrespective of their doubts and fears.
Merlin had never, in his wildest dreams, ever thought he and Arthur would be lying together like this. Never in his wildest dreams did he ever picture himself being the one embracing his prince and now king. Never in his wildest dreams did he ever imagine loving it so much.
Holding Arthur, kissing him and whispering soft nothings against his ear, showing him that he too was strong, that he too would do anything to protect Arthur from all harm and would keep him safe till the day he died.
"Nnh… Arthur…" Merlin gasped, feeling it all building too fast as Arthur's moans increased in volume.
"Merlin!"
"Ah!"
The threads of destiny became stronger. Magic descended like a wave, crashing on both of them, making even Arthur feel its strong current coursing through them.
And somehow… despite their binding ceremony, despite the dragon fire, despite their bond, Merlin felt that finally, the goddess was satisfied.
The candles went out as the magic settled. Merlin and Arthur lay side by side, trying to catch their breath as they held hands.
Arthur was the first to speak as they kept staring at the ceiling.
"Did you just give me an order?" He asked.
"Yes, sire." Merlin said.
"Several, actually."
"Indeed, your majesty."
"I bet it felt good."
Merlin turned to look at him and grinned. "It wasn't unpleasant."
Arthur grinned back and they both laughed softly. In the midst of laughing, Arthur cupped Merlin's face and they leaned toward each other, kissing each other between chuckles and sweet words and all out joy at having each other in their arms.
oOoOoOo
Arthur felt very sore the next day, but he didn't regret it at all. He glanced over at Merlin, watching him sleep so peacefully. But it hadn't been pleasant for Merlin at all. Back then it wasn't love. It was an order. Merlin had been sent away to carry on with his duties and expected to work as normal the very next day. Arthur was pretty sure he didn't take as much time preparing Merlin as Merlin had done for him.
Guilt once more filled him as he reached forward to caress Merlin's cheek. "I'm sorry." He whispered. He wondered if he'd ever forgive himself and sighed. He would never, but he could spend the rest of the time making up for his original mistakes.
He quietly got out of bed and slipped his trousers on. He made his way to his desk, where he'd left his father's package unopened.
Curiosity finally got the better of him and he reached for it, opening the letter that came with it.
Arthur,
Although I believe that you are not ready to be king, my crimes are my crimes and I stepped down for the sake of being able to guide you should you ever need advice from someone who understands the struggles of the throne.
Enclosed is the ring I wore during my first five years as king, until I wed your mother. I hope it will bring you strength in your first years as monarch.
Despite my mistakes, remember that I will always be your father.
Although my duties have always been to the kingdom, you were always my son, my heir and my pride.
Your father,
Uther.
Arthur had to read the letter a couple of times to process what he'd read. His father had never been the kind to express such emotions verbally, let alone on paper. He smiled fondly and reached to open the box, where an elaborately engraved ring sat, a bright red stone glistening at its centre.
Arthur took it out, holding the cool metal in his hands.
His eyes glazed over as the magic swam up his fingers, spreading through him. It took control over him.
Morgause's whispered spells could be heard all around him. Arthur did not feel the urge to put it on. Arthur did not try. The spell was very specific.
Bind Emrys.
Arthur walked dazed toward the bed.
Emrys? Bind him? Merlin!
Arthur stopped before he got to the bed, his entire being shaking as he fought against the magic.
'Father… I swear to god if you hurt him, I will kill you.' Arthur screamed in his mind, fighting the force of the magic, forcing him to take another step. He was losing the fight.
'Wake up! Merlin! Stop me!'
Merlin kept sleeping peacefully and Arthur advanced another step.