Disclaimer: I do not own Merlin.
Night Dreams
Chapter 2: Welcome the Incubus
"Let me make this clear," Arthur said with the utmost gravity, "I am not a virgin."
"Uh huh," Morgana nodded, completely unconvinced. "Okay, Arthur. Whatever you say."
Arthur fumed, ready to start a full-fledged argument with documented proof and evidence.
"My apologies, my lord, but we have bigger things than the question of your chastity to worry about!" Gaius sighed, suddenly looking much older. He flipped through his books faster than a gale wind. Arthur and Morgana murmured apologies like scolded children. Between the three of them, Gaius was the most distressed since Merlin was like a surrogate son to him. And seeing his son possessed by a demon and tied up to a chair with a gag in his mouth was not the most reassuring sight.
"Is it really necessary to restrain him like that?" Morgana asked, staring at Merlin's bound hands and feet. And the scarf tied between his lips and around his head looked most uncomfortable.
"Mmmph!" Merlin huffed out between the scarf. He looked as disgruntled as a wet cat.
"Yes. If he started molesting you in your sleep, I'm sure you'd agree so!" Arthur replied sharply. "Gaius, did you find something yet?"
"I found several things...in the worst case scenario, Merlin was taken by a demon that strips the skin from its victims and wears it as its own," Gaius said, his voice taking on a devastated edge.
"I've heard of those," Morgana gasped before turning on her heel and grabbing Merlin by his shirt. She lifted him up, chair and all, with alarming strength. Arthur and Gaius took a step back. "A boo hag! For your sake, Merlin better be alive or I will tear you apart like parchment -- "
"Morgana, calm down. It's not a boo hag. I saw no stripping or wearing of the skin," Arthur drawled. "And look at him! He's clearly insulted."
Morgana took a closer look at Merlin's face. His blue eyes shone with irritation and boredom. She released her grip and Merlin -- chair and all -- rocked back with a heavy thud. She tugged down the scarf from his lips. "Fine, answer me yourself then! What are you? A bodach?"
"Perhaps a vampire?" Gaius suggested.
"Or an urisk?" Morgana supplied.
"A bugbear?"
"A ghoul?"
"A kobold or redcap -- ?"
"Oh for the love of -- !" the-demon-in-Merlin cried out. "I'm an incubus! Now please stop spouting out your inanity! The head of this body is aching and your shouting worsens it. And how dare you think I be as lowly as a boo hag."
"An incubus? But aren't those the demons, who..." Morgana's cheeks turned pink. "Oh my god."
Gaius coughed awkwardly.
"What the hell is an incubus?" Arthur asked dully.
Before anyone could answer, Gwen barged into Gaius's workshop. "Lady Morgana! There are you! I've searched the whole castle for you. Uther requests your...pre...sence..."
Gwen's gaze fell upon Merlin and her words slowly came to a dead halt. She blinked, wondering if her eyes were deceiving her; surely that was not nice, gentle, unicorn-loving Merlin firmly roped to a chair like a criminal? She glanced at everyone else in the room, all of whom met her gaze awkwardly. No one seemed willing to explain the situation at hand.
"A-are you playing a game of some sort?" Gwen asked quietly.
-o-o-o-
"Possessed?" Gwen repeated, unable to mask her incredulity.
"Can't you tell there's something not Merlin about Merlin?" Morgana asked. "I mean, look at him! He doesn't even look like the Merlin we know."
Gwen took a second look at her restrained friend. Merlin was watching Arthur pace back and forth across the room. But what shocked Gwen was the blatant hunger in Merlin's eyes; it colored his irises to a deep, cobalt blue. If Gwen were to be completely objective, she would say that she never saw Merlin so...gorgeous. Merlin was a handsome young man in his own right, but with such smoldering eyes he transformed into one sexy beast. It was disturbingly fascinating.
Of course, Gwen would never say such a thought aloud.
"W-well, I certainly never seen Merlin that expressive before," Gwen murmured. Morgana gave her an odd look. "But Lady Morgana, if he is possessed, what's he possessed by?"
"An incubus. A sex demon," Morgana replied wryly. "One that wants Arthur's virgi -- "
Arthur shot her a glare from across the room.
"One that wants Arthur," Morgana supplied succinctly.
Gwen looked between the two boys and covered her mouth. "Oh my."
"Oh my, indeed." Arthur grumbled darkly. He turned his attention to Gaius. "Have you found a way to vanquish the demon from Merlin's body, Gaius?"
"No..." Gaius muttered as he read through a particularly thick anthology.
"You're all much too daft to realize this any time soon, so I may as well tell you now: you'll be making an incredibly stupid mistake if you try to get rid of me," Merlin drawled. "You'll all regret it. You in particular, prince."
Arthur's glare intensified. Gwen grimaced. Although it was Merlin's voice and face, it certainly was not his tone or attitude.
"And why not? Afraid your fun will end all too soon, demon?" Arthur asked, approaching him. "Or are you afraid of disappointing your master?"
Merlin tilted his head and arched his eyebrow. "I have no master."
"Someone touched Merlin and then you happened. If not your master, who was it?" Arthur demanded through clenched teeth.
"Hell if I know! How I ended up here is as much a mystery to me as it is for you, prince. But what I do know is that this boy's soul is tightly entwined with mine. Think about it. How else do I know all you idiots by heart and name? His memories are mine," Merlin replied with confident fluidity. "If you get rid of me, you'll get rid of him, too. And all you'll be left with is a husk of your dear friend."
Morgana and Gwen gripped each other's hands.
"You're lying!" Arthur growled, fists clenched.
"No. I'm afraid he may be right," Gaius sighed. "I have a fair amount of knowledge on demonic possession, my lord. And this is truly a unique case. I've never seen anything like it."
"But why Merlin?" Gwen asked quietly. "Why him of all people?"
"As if I had a choice!" Merlin scoffed. "You think I wanted to be trapped in this -- this awkward, clumsy, gangly body? And he's a servant! If anything, I would have liked to be in his body," Merlin jerked his head at Arthur. "With the title of prince behind me, no one could deny me anything. And a servant's life is worthless...I could easily be executed without a second thought!"
Morgana's eyes widened. "So you're saying that if Merlin's body perishes, you die as well?"
"Well, of course." Merlin rolled his eyes. "Have you not listened to a word I said?"
Morgana strode over and released Merlin's bonds. Arthur looked at her like she was setting loose a rabid bear. "What are you doing, Morgana!"
"The demon obviously isn't going to do anything to endanger himself. So Merlin's body will be okay. Isn't that right, demon?" Morgana asked, her threatening gaze fixed on Merlin's impish grin.
"You have my word, milady. I am an excellent opportunist with superior self-preservation skills," Merlin replied, bowing his head in mock oath. "No danger or death shall come to this body. Until I find a better one to inhabit, of course."
They all watched Merlin stand up and stretch his arms above his head, his body supple and elegant. Morgana, Gaius, and Arthur glanced at each other knowingly. The demon was getting a better handle of Merlin's body, which worried them greatly.
"But how are we going to keep him from interacting with other servants? Or Uther?" Gwen asked anxiously. "They'll figure it out eventually. Merlin's not nearly as cocky, rude, and arrogant as this one."
"True...he's acting more like Arthur," Morgana murmured thoughtfully. "And people will surely notice that."
Both girls ignored the look of utter indignation the blond prince was directing at them.
"I had not thought of that," Gaius said. He pinched the bridge of his nose, exhausted with worry. "Uther is very sharp. We must keep them apart since the King will no doubt see a change in Merlin's demeanor. Uther has no tolerance of magic and a deep hatred of demons. He will not care if he has to kill Merlin to kill this one."
Arthur's eyes lowered. He knew this to be true.
Merlin sat down in the chair again, slouching in an impossibly sexy way. Arthur could not help but stare. The demon made Merlin's body move with the feline grace and ease of an aristocrat. He never imagined Merlin -- big ears and long limbs -- to ever match the image of royalty...but his servant certainly looked the part now. Arthur had to wonder if Merlin always possessed this kind of air and presence, and simply needed polishing. Or perhaps, Merlin was always like this and Arthur just never watched him closely enough.
"Uther, hm?" Merlin drawled. "If you'd like, I can seduce him to the point of...tolerance. After I'm through with him, he'll never want me to leave the castle much less put my head on the executioner's block."
Morgana, Gwen, and even Gaius all looked upon Merlin with matching looks for horror. The very idea of Merlin touching/kissing/licking Uther in any way was beyond disturbing. However, Arthur strode across the room and towered over the Merlin-incubus with his darkest, fiercest glare. "Stay. Away. From. My. Father."
"Why? Jealous, prince?" Merlin asked. Without warning, he grabbed Arthur by the collar and jerked him down to his level. Their lips were mere centimeters apart. "Believe me, I'd save all my bedroom tricks for you. This body wishes to grant you the greatest pleasure, prince."
Arthur refused to believe he was blushing like some chaste maiden, but the way his face (and other regions of his body) heated up, he knew he was. He made sure his face was not in Morgana's or Gwen's view.
"Don't touch me!" Arthur smacked Merlin's wrist and straightened up. "I swear, if you do anything to harm Merlin's body, my father, or anyone in this kingdom...I will end you."
"Mm...you're so delicious when you're infuriated," Merlin purred through heavy-lidded eyes. "I can see why this body desires you so."
Gwen gulped.
Before Arthur or anyone could contemplate the demons last words, the maidservant stepped forward and exclaimed, "M-my lord! I just remembered that there is a banquet in three nights! And Uther expects both you and Merlin to greet Prince Frederick. And Lady Morgana, you are supposed to be escorted by him. That is why Uther requested your presence."
Morgana swore under her breath. She quickly excused herself and dashed out of the room to Uther's court. Arthur groaned and turned away in frustration.
"Perfect. Just perfect. My manservant is possessed by a sex-crazed demon and I have that ass of a prince coming to my castle! Can this situation get any worse?"
Merlin perked up. "If you'd like, I can -- "
"You will behave and keep your hands and every other part of your body to yourself," Arthur snapped.
Merlin rolled his eyes and pouted.
-o-o-o-
Arthur tightened the rope knot with a firm jerk. He looked upon his handiwork, satisfied. Merlin, on the other hand, donned a look of pure disdain. The demon-possessed boy struggled helplessly against the restraints. "You know, prince, this would be an incredible turn on if you -- "
"Don't make me cut off your tongue," Arthur glared.
"Are you sure restraining him in such a fashion is entirely necessary, my lord?" Gaius asked hesitantly.
Arthur looked upon Merlin, whose hands were tied to both posts of his bed with rope. He crossed his arms and nodded. "It'll keep the demon from leaving the castle and running away with Merlin's body. And, most importantly, it'll keep him from attacking me in my sleep like last time."
"But what if the castle is burned down or under attack? I won't be able to escape! This body and I will be destroyed!" Merlin cried out fearfully.
"Gaius, get a sleeping potion prepared. A strong one," Arthur said blandly.
Gaius sighed, but conceded. As he exited the room, Arthur was about to do the same. He did not see the look of panic that crossed Merlin's face.
"Prince! Wait!" although the demon tried to keep the desperation out of his tone, it edged his words like a jagged dagger.
Arthur hesitated. "What?"
"I -- I will tell you a secret about this body if you release me," the Merlin-incubus said, voice tremulous for a brief moment. "Just don't leave me. Please, prince. Have mercy."
Arthur's face remained impassive and aloof, but his chest ached to see his servant pleading. The prince had a damned hard time saying "no" to his manservant since Merlin rarely asked for anything from him. And when he did, it was usually for someone else's sake. Demons manipulate. Merlin does not. Arthur had to remind himself of that. "I know everything about my servant, demon. He hides nothing from me."
"Oh yes he does," Merlin smirked darkly. "There are secrets about this body you know nothing of. And I can see it in your eyes -- you know I speak the truth. I will tell you its secrets if you release me."
Arthur felt a swell of anger rise in his chest; anger at himself for letting this happen, anger at the demon, and anger at the possibility that, perhaps, Merlin did hide things from him. A ruthless glower made his eyes shift into the gray-blue of thunderclouds. "If any deals are made, it will be I who initiates them. Know your place, demon! You will be kept here until you recognize who exactly is in charge."
The Merlin-incubus paled as Arthur walked out and slammed the heavy wooden door shut. Gaius caught a glimpse of the fury on Arthur's face and nearly dropped the bottle in his hand.
"Sire?" Gaius questioned warily, a yellow potion clutched in his fingers.
Suddenly, sharp cries of, "Prince! PRINCE! Come back, damn you! COME BACK! PLEASE! Please...!"
"He won't be needing that sleeping potion," Arthur remarked firmly. "Let him sleep on his own."
Let him suffer.
Gaius tore his surprised gaze from Merlin's door and screams. He studied Arthur's face, watching the receding anger slowly being masked behind an air of icy composure. The physician nodded reluctantly, casting a sympathetic and tired eye at Merlin's bedroom door one last time. Arthur noticed this and his eyes softened imperceptibly. He put his hand on Gaius's shoulder and waited for the older man to look at him.
"I know this is hard for you, Gaius...but he is not Merlin," Arthur said in low, understanding voice. "And if you want to help him, you'll have to trust me."
Gaius nodded again. This time, he capped the potion and put it away. "Have you figured out why the demon is so attached to you, my lord? Why it is you it seeks?"
"I don't know," Arthur murmured. His eyes hardened with determination. "But I intend to find out. Because therein may lie the secret of getting Merlin back."
E.n.d. o.f. C.h.a.p.t.e.r. T.w.o.
Note: I made this chapter a little longer to make up for the last one. I hope you all enjoyed! If the story is getting too confusing, or Im not being clear on some things, please let me know! Its hard for me to look outside my fishbowl sometimes. :) Thanks for reading!
*I am looking for a beta! If you are interested in cleaning up my story and all the horrid mistakes that come with it, please e-mail me. I will love you virtually in return. :)