Disclaimer: I love Merlin, but that doesn't mean I own it. Pure fan love here.
Story: In a strange twist, Uther decided to have Merlin serve him as well. How does Merlin get around saving these two royal prats, when she's busy doing royal chores and getting exhausted saving them and doing their dirty laundry? She says nothing on how affectionate she oddly becomes of the King and the loyalty she develops for not only Arthur but Uther.
Set as an AU, genderbending fic.
Spoilers: All seasons.
Warnings: Age disparity, cursing and violence for now…hm, just in case since I'm usually writing it, bit of crazy humor, perverted humor, morbid or sarcastic humor, and maybe some sexual situations…
Pairings: Eventual Uther/Merlin, Lancelot/Gwen, others unknown for now… (I don't know what the hell I'm going to do with Arthur –I don't like him with anyone but Merlin, male or otherwise!)
The Lion and The Lamb
Chapter Five: A Lord and A Lady
Leon watched the maidservant in worry. Though she continued on with her duties, she was obviously in shock. Not that he blamed her –most women did not fight in these times, nor did they take up arms. It was good of her to learn, and thoughtful of Brom and the Prince (and the King, if those throwing knives were of any indication) to think so as well, but Merlin grew up in a small village, where he doubted there were any weapons or any real combat to be seen. Nor were women especially considered and learned to fight in those areas. Farming, tending to livestock, clothes, minding children…these were the usual and expected duties. Even in Camelot (or other main citadels of the other kingdoms), it was a rare thing and not too encouraged for a woman to fight, even if one like Morgana wished to learn.
She should not have been there in the first place, though Leon understood that his Prince simply didn't understand that Merlin's gender and station would normally not permit her to be there. That it wasn't appropriate for her to be there. Arthur, young and not as knowledgeable or caring about the subtle differences and allowances that separate classes, duties, and sexes, had found a friend in the sweet maidservant. Leon had noticed that early on and could see and understand why Arthur did not want to leave to anywhere without her by his side, despite the fact that she wasn't supposed to accompany him to just anywhere, and that this wasn't part of the duties of her station. Tacked on that she was a woman and it was an eyebrow raising situation.
But it further exasperated him that his Prince didn't understand why she was so upset at having killed someone, instead praising her for doing it and it being an excellent kill of an enemy. He wasn't sure whether he wanted to lecture his Prince or smack some sense upside his head. Merlin wasn't just one of his comrades, where they could joke and brag about such things. She was an inexperienced young lady, who had never done such a thing before. And if Leon knew her well enough, he could already guess that she was soft-hearted and too kind to do such a thing without feeling horrible about it.
"I'll talk to her," Brom interrupted his thoughts, speaking quietly by his side.
They had reached a small town where they'd found a tavern and were drinking and enjoying the night. Arthur and most of the other knights were sitting at a table, but Merlin had quietly excused herself to her room upstairs.
"I'll come with you," Leon volunteered. "I've had plenty of experiences with this with many of the younger knights and their first kills so maybe that will help."
Brom nodded distractedly and the two of them slipped up the stairs and found Merlin's room. They knocked, hoping she wasn't asleep just yet. To their relief, there was a muffled "Come in" that they entered at.
"Really, Merlin, you must be more careful and lock your door," Brom told her. "You're a young and pretty lass. There are a whole bunch of ruffians down there that would have no qualms forcing entry to your room and take advantage of a pretty girl like you."
Merlin's cheeks pinked and she looked down, wringing her hands. "You're right. I wasn't really thinking. I've just been…distracted."
"I know," Leon said regretfully. "Killing that man bothered you. Still bothers you."
At her wince, they got their confirmation. Brom stepped forward then before hesitating. To both of their surprise, the knight kneeled down and looked at Merlin gravely.
"While I am sorry and aggrieved to know that you're upset at what you did, I must thank you as well. Without your interference, I would have lost my own life. I owe you a great debt, Merlin. So if it's of any small comfort, please know that your actions saved me and that though you took one life, you also saved another –that you saved mine and I am eternally grateful."
Leon smiled slightly to himself, watching the proceedings carefully. Merlin looked bewildered and shocked, before she stood from her bed and strode over to Brom quickly, urging him to stand up. She then grasped the bigger man's hands in her small ones.
"Oh please don't say such a thing. Anyone would have done it, and I couldn't just stand there and let harm befall you! Especially to someone as good a…friend," she said shyly and to which Brom nodded encouragingly, "as you are to me. I still don't know how I feel about taking someone else's life, but I am glad to have been able to save you and would do it all again if it meant that you were kept safe from harm. And that goes for you and the others," Merlin looked to Leon, and he smiled gratefully back at her.
She really was such a sweetheart, and he could only wish this wouldn't linger too long on her heart and mind.
It hadn't been too long ago since Arthur and his knights had arrived back. And as Leon informed him, the trip had been quite eventful.
Uther hadn't thought it would be.
When his son requested for Merlin to come with him on a hunt, he had nearly laughed. It was such a strange thing –even if Merlin hadn't been a woman, a servant of her station wasn't required or supposed to be accompanying on hunts of all things.
Honestly, he had eventually agreed as he thought it would be a simple hunt in the end and Merlin would get to go out and experienced life outside these walls and be able to travel to more places. She could even get practice out of those throwing knives he'd given her and help and actually learn to hunt. Which, while also not appropriate, fit her given since nothing about her situation and life since she'd gotten to Camelot had been normal it seemed.
She didn't speak like a normal servant, though more recently she'd been trying harder to be more noticeably respectful (probably more as she learned to be a proper servant). But it was obvious that she preferred casualness and it just seemed so normal with her that one can forget one's station and allow her to speak as she willed, making everyone forget about social boundaries and appropriateness. You can always tell she never meant any disrespect because every word from her dripped with sweetness, and it was always so obvious that every action and word from her was layered with kindness and gentleness.
In the little time he'd known her before she'd saved Arthur's life, those small and simple meetings had somehow told him a lot about her and yet also nothing at all, and he found himself intrigued. But what called out most to him was his ability to relax and find calmness in her presence, like everything that usually weighed on him disappeared and he could simply be just a man and have nothing to worry about. And the more time he spent with her, watching her and interacting with her, he also realized that she was somehow both strong and fragile.
She was delicate and he was almost afraid to touch her or come near, afraid that he would accidently crush her even when she smiled kindly at him. There was a certain fear that sometimes entered him that said he would hurt her or if he was not careful, break her into pieces. Seeing her as so fragile and delicate though, made a protective urge rise in him.
But he also noted how strong-willed she was, even willing to stand up and correct Arthur about his behavior towards the others –something he normally wouldn't care about, though he had recently acknowledged that before Merlin, his son had been increasingly becoming arrogant and egotistical, and edging towards abusing his authority. Arthur had needed a strong hand then, and Merlin (new to Camelot) had provided that, and he could see the improvements and maturity growing in his son these days.
Now, she was in some state in between. Willing herself to be strong and proving herself to be as she made herself go on and act like nothing was wrong, continuing to tend to her duties and continuing learning under Merek's guidance and the Castle Steward's teaching, but also breaking apart and not knowing what to do.
"Your Highness, Lord Tybalt wishes to have an audience with you," Merek told him and Uther frowned.
He turned to him and waved him off. "Let him in."
There must be something he could do –
"Your Highness," Lord Tybalt greeted quietly, bowing slightly.
Lord Tybalt had always been a rather quiet and docile man. He was never really forceful, even with his high station, and he'd rather kept to himself mostly. It was strange to see him here and asking for an audience.
"Lord Tybalt," Uther greeted. "What can I do for you?"
Lord Tybalt took a deep breath. "I was hoping, if it is not too much trouble, if I may borrow the services of your maidservant."
Uther's eyebrows scrunched together. "Merlin? What for?"
"My wife is about to give birth," the other continued quietly. "With most of the servants running around and going about for her needs, there is a lack of help in my household. I also hear that Merlin is Gaius' niece and apprentice. Having her around and close by would also be helpful for my wife, in case of emergencies."
It was sound reasoning, but Uther felt reluctant to grant the request.
"How long would you need her for?"
"A week at most," he was answered with.
"Very well. Merlin will come to you in an hour and help serve your household for a week."
Uther wanted to take it back as soon as he'd said it.
Merlin had been nervous at the reassignment. At first, she worried that it was because she wasn't doing well. But the King himself had quietly reassured her that wasn't the case and that she was needed elsewhere for a friend of his.
Merlin frowned at the news, the King having just told her that she was to work with someone named Lord Tybalt. She must've looked worried and upset because Uther spoke again.
"He is a good friend of mine and does not usually ask things of anyone much less myself," he explained. "It is only temporary and only because he needs help and especially of your services as Gaius' apprentice –his wife is pregnant, you see."
She felt a little embarrassed that she'd looked so obvious, and that the King had actually deigned to explain himself to her.
"I-I understand, Sire," she bowed. "You needn't explain yourself to me!" she hurriedly said, then realized she shouldn't have said something at all, turning red.
The King chuckled lightly. "Perhaps not, but I do not want you to misunderstand. So please do your best and I look forward to your return."
She felt her face burning hot again.
Arthur had also kicked up a fuss, but Merlin had calmed him down, telling him as she knew now it was only for a week and that she would be back soon enough. He was still grumbling about it, but at least now he wasn't too upset.
But now her worries were of her new temporary master and if she were to be treated the same as the King and Prince treated her. She could admit to herself that they did not treat her like normal servants, so she was almost rather spoiled in how she was treated.
She still remembered how the King had gifted her with those throwing knives and what Gaius had said about how unusual that was.
"You are Merlin?"
She whirled around to face who it was, seeing a tall man with dark hair peppered with gray, a slim face with green eyes, and dressed in dark blue clothes. He looked somehow familiar.
"Yes, milord," she bowed and then winced at herself. While Uther and Arthur didn't seem to mind and didn't comment on it much, that didn't mean others were the same.
But Lord Tybalt, for who else could it be, only gave her a brief curious look.
"You are as pretty as my son says you are," he commented casually, but it made her look at him in surprise, though she also wondered at who he was talking about. "Brom talks of you often."
Oh! No wonder he looked familiar. He looked a lot like his son, especially having the same eyes. She didn't realize that Brom spoke of her to anyone, much less frequently to his family. Now she hoped that the father was as kind as the son, who had been helping her practice her throwing skills and archery while also talking her along about her first kill (along with Leon).
"Thank you for your services," he said softly. "It is duly appreciated."
She awkwardly shifted on her feet. "Y-yes, of course, milord. You can count on me."
Her first day wasn't too bad. It wasn't nearly as chaotic as working in the castle was, and the servants in Tybalt's castle were nice and actually helped her out and she eagerly offered her help to them to hurry their duties along as well. She had yet to see the Lady of the House, but she assumed it was because Tybalt's wife was not well or was resting from her pregnancy.
It was nearing the end of the day when Brom himself entered his home and stared in surprise at seeing her there.
"Merlin!" he exclaimed. "What are you doing here?"
"Ah, I'm helping out your father and the other servants around here for a week," she smiled brightly at him, while holding onto one of Tybalt's young sons. "Your father requested my help from the King, especially since your mother's pregnant and about due."
"Did he?" he asked, still looking surprised but now sounding it as well. "Well, I'm glad to have you around. How's the little one doing there?"
"Oh, he's such a sweetheart!" Merlin raised the little boy up playfully and then made a funny face at him, causing him to erupt into giggles.
Brom smiled sadly. "Come along, Merlin. Let's go find something to eat. Alden, go along, play with your toys or find your other brother."
Smiling, though slightly confused, she followed him along after putting down the little boy and patting his head.
"Merlin, you've been here nearly a day, yes?" Brom asked.
"Um, yes?" she answered uncertainly, not sure what was wrong.
"What is your opinion of my home?"
Caught off guard by the question, Merlin scrambled to fit together an answer.
"It's calm. The servants are all kind and helpful, and your father –when I have seen him –has been kind to me as well. I haven't seen your mother yet, but the two little ones running around –Alden and Alvin –they're sweet and adorable."
Brom smiled slightly. "They are, aren't they?" he murmured.
"Your father and mother are lucky to have such healthy and sweet boys," Merlin added.
"Merlin," he stopped short, making her stop abruptly as well. "Alden and Alvin are not my father's."
Her eyes widened. "What?"
"Neither is the baby that my mother carries now," he informed her.
He started walking again and she noticed that they headed away from the kitchens and were seemingly just walking around.
"My mother is a forceful woman, opposite of my father who is much more demure and quiet than her. It's opposite the norm of society, and I know many probably consider my father a weak man, especially to allow his wife to not only be the stronger voice in the household but to those who know or suspect, shamefully allow her to go to other men. It is even worse to them that my father takes in these children that are not his and raise them."
Merlin didn't know what to say. This had completely shocked her and been unexpected.
"If you are going to stay here a week, then I just wanted to let you know…" Brom faltered. "That they are not normal. That things will probably be strained and I do not want you to be uncomfortable or unready to see it."
She swallowed thickly. "I understand."
Brom clasped her shoulder and gave her a small smile. "Thank you, Merlin. And I apologize for you having to bear witness to my family."
The end of the day was near and it was time for her to go to sleep. In fact, she was heading to her temporary room when she noticed the door to Tybalt's study was open and there was light filtering through the crack. She knocked hesitantly and went in when she was called to.
Tybalt was sitting by his window, gazing out of it with a lonely look on his face.
Remembering what Brom said earlier, it helped her to understand Tybalt a little more and she felt quite sorry for him.
"I have yet to thank you for saving my son's life," he said suddenly. He looked at her, still looking sad and lonely. "He is my son and my heir. So thank you."
"You're welcome, Lord Tybalt," she said, feeling a little better about her first kill, since it meant Brom lived and his father would not have to miss him.
"He talks of you often," he said again, looking oddly unsure. "I hear about you a lot. I hear how kind you are, and how sweet you are to everyone. I hear how much you try to do your best, and how your smiles light up a room."
She found herself blushing, even as she stayed there in confusion and uneasiness.
"Even through…stories alone, I confess I found myself falling for you," he admitted and she stared at him stunned. He looked down shamefully. "If it's not too much trouble, would you dine with me in the morning and accompany me through the days, while you are here?"
"But-but the other servants," she stuttered. "Wasn't I to help them?"
Tybalt's lips twitched up miserably. "No. And they all know that already, why I…why I requested you to be here truthfully."
"Oh."
So he was…he was just depressed and lonely, and Brom's stories of her helped him. Though it confused her more than she already was, she felt even more miserable and upset for him and wanted to try to help him somehow and help Brom's family. And looking back now, the household wasn't just calm as she thought, it was subdued. And she realized why now.
This family, especially this man, was so broken.
"Of course, milord. I don't mind at all."
And the sad smile he gave her just broke her heart.
As the week slowly passed, she observed the household. The servants were all loyal to their master and did their best to make him happy. The two little boys, for now, were oblivious, but Merlin could see that sometimes even they were plagued by the household's suffocating atmosphere. Brom, not that she could blame him, spent more time outside of it. Aside from his knight duties (which she realized he could have wanted to become in order to escape from his home in the first place), Brom would always find something to do outside. If he did not, he tried to spend what time he could with her, if she wasn't already preoccupied with his father. Of which, when he found out she was mostly staying around him and the real reason why she was there, he was at first furious with his father, before being resigned and just as miserable as the rest.
But she was a little surprised and happy to find an improvement in Tybalt's attitude, finding he was becoming a little more outgoing and outspoken the more time he spent with her. Even with things as they were, and with why she was there, she found she was glad that she somehow was helping him, even if she couldn't return his feelings.
However, she also finally met the Lady of the House, Lady Ashlyn, who was quite beautiful with her golden blonde hair and blue eyes. She, despite being beautiful, was a…handful though. That was how Merlin could describe her, and it was more of an understatement and as politely worded as she could.
Lady Ashlyn terrorized the servants. She demanded everything and got upset (though she never yelled) when she didn't get what she wanted. She bullied her husband, and it made Merlin realize even more why Tybalt was so quiet and how he could have ever fallen for Merlin, even from a distance, when his own wife berated and treated him no better than dirt on her shoes. Any woman probably would have seemed better.
So when Merlin came across Lady Ashlynn and came face to face with her for the first time, she already expected to be brutally verbally beat down. Instead, the beautiful woman narrowed her blue eyes and tilted her head, examining Merlin through an intense scrutiny that made her feel uncomfortable.
"You're pretty," the woman said frankly and Merlin straightened, confused. "I don't suppose you would, if you haven't already, warm my husband's bed?"
Merlin just stared at her, her eyes growing wide and she started to gape a little.
"P-pardon?"
Ashlyn laughed. "My husband needs a distraction. I don't particularly care for him or care what he does, so he can sleep with you for all I care. I encourage it even. He needs to gain some sort of pride back and at least be distracted from my dalliances and have one of his own."
Merlin had no idea what to say to that, though a part of her was bristling on her behalf and of Tybalt's. She'd opened her mouth to snap back angrily, only to be interrupted.
"Merlin," Tybalt's voice was sharp and she winced, turning to look at him. However, he wasn't looking at her and his angry gaze was instead focused on Ashlyn. "Come along."
Merlin nodded, scurrying to his side and leaving with him. She didn't look back.
Still, from hence forth, Ashlyn appeared more often to Merlin and practically demanded for her to attend her sometimes, leading to Merlin occasionally brushing her hair or humming to the unborn child. She got lost in those times because she admitted that Ashlyn's hair was so soft and pretty and she always took care to be gentle and go through it softly. She didn't even notice how pleased Ashlyn was during those times, or even when Merlin's humming was directed towards the baby, because Merlin loved babies and she couldn't help it.
Merlin was very happy when she was able to go back to work for the King and Prince though.
On the morning of her return, she woke up very early and took care of the usual things for Arthur, before retrieving his breakfast and waking him up.
"Merlin! You're back!" he grinned widely, almost silly even, and willingly got out of bed despite his usual groggy start. "Can I count on you to accompany me to training today?"
"Of course," Merlin said in amusement. "I'll be bringing up your father's breakfast first, and then I'll come back and help outfit you for the day."
"Great. See you soon," Arthur kept on grinning. Merlin found herself smiling, absentmindedly threading her hand through Arthur's golden locks. She missed his cheeks turning pinkish and looking at her questioningly, but she merely patted his head and then left.
She set off back to the kitchens and retrieved Uther's breakfast, knowing Merek had taken to leaving that to her while he used the mornings to help organize the King's schedule and meetings for the day. Given that he knew she was back to work in the royal household, she was back to doing these easy tasks.
Upon reaching the King's chambers, she nodded and smiled at the guards who let her in, and she quietly entered. After placing the tray of food onto the table, she began working on the curtains, finding herself able to fix them open correctly, after being helpfully taught over at Lord Tybalt's household. Seeing the King still sleeping, she got his clothes ready before she approached.
Curiously, she examined him. Like this, he further looked less like the monster she used to dream and think of him as. He looked tired though.
"Maybe you're not so scary after all," she murmured.
He sleepily peeked an eye open. "I'm glad."
She squeaked and stumbled back, before turning around and fidgeting with his clothes.
"Good morning, Sire!" she yelled out, face probably burning red by then.
She tried to ignore his chuckling behind her, manically manhandling his clothes and pretending to be doing something useful.
Started 11/29/16 – Completed 11/30/16
A/n: Haha, I'm 26 and doing my traditional birthday batch updates! Yeah! And though I like this chapter and how it came out, I just wanted to get it over with and hurry up to the next! I'm really excited because from next chapter on, everything is going to be turned upside down and inside out, and the show episodes will be barely recognizable :D So please show some love and leave a review!
Anon Reviews:
1. Der Commisar: Thanks! I really hope I can finish this too, because I really like this story.
2. Guest: Thank you~ As for making the chapters longer, I'll try my best!
3. TexasCat: Thanks a lot. And don't worry, Mithian will come back! More of him later on, I promise. And yeah, Merlin will continually be practicing her fighting skills, as I think it'll be pretty big a role. She'll probably be the Pendragons' secret weapon XD Or the unsuspecting bodyguard.
Quick Points:
1. Pandora Pairings Forum: Rare pair forum I created that has lots of challenges, so check it and subscribe please!
2. The Regions Legends: If you like Pokémon, this is my collab account with a few friends of mine. Please check it out and fav, alert, and review! I'm personally in charge of "The Book of Ash", "The Book of Eve","The Book of Mal", and "Kitty Claws."