I have decided it's close enough to Tuesday. Especially since my body is still convinced it's 9:17 instead of 8:17. Stupid daylight savings.

So, I had this all typed up and it (I am soooo not a girly girl)... "It's so fluffy I'm gonna die!" Haha, sorry, it just seemed appropriate. But, anyways, I typed it all up, Arthur is all nice and caring *insert many "awwww!"s here*, and then some rather depressing music came on my mp3 player and I almost erased all of this and made it really sad and angsty. But then I realized that would be counter-productive, and some happier music came on (Merlin soundtrack at the moment, actually! End credits. XD) and I decided to leave it as it is. So thank the happy music! (Oh, Beach Boys now.)

Also (yes, I'm prolly gonna ramble a bit) I am shocked by the number of reviews and favorites and story alerts I keep getting with each chapter. But shocked in a good way! I thought for sure that the further into the story I got the more those would start to dwindle. But I'm thrilled they're not! Seriously, some of you get so into your reviews with your concern for Merin or your cheering on Arthur that I little say "awwww!" (okay, maybe a little girly) or even laugh out loud. My room mates are prolly out in the living room thinking WTF is she doing in there? But anyways, I love all your reviews so so much! XD

In case anyone decides to get technical (so far no one has questioned it, but you never know), I realize that if Merlin has not spoke in many years, his voice prolly wouldn't work for a while when he first tries. But I am going to attribute his being able to to the fact that he has been making noises (whines, whimpers, etc.) and so that is why his voice works. So there. *laugh*

(Moulin Rouge. Ewan McGregor is sexy and a fucking fantastic singer!) Last thing, there will prolly only be a few more chapters of this. Four or five maybe? :( Yeah, I know. But then again, I thought this was only gonna be about 3000-5000 words when I originally started, so I guess I have no idea how much longer it will go. :/ My muse (his name is Charles, but I call him Chuckles.) is out to get me.

12 Days of Christmas by Straight No Chaser. AWESOME! Look it up on youtube! Do it!

Alright, shutting up now. Enjoy!

A sob tore from Merlin's throat as his trousers were yanked away. He began to claw at Sir Daniel, attempting to scream around the hand now covering his mouth. Tears were streaming down his face as Daniel wrenched his legs apart, before reaching down to unlace his own trousers.

"Sorry, boy," he chuckled. "No one is coming to rescue you."

"That's where you're wrong, Daniel," came a venomous voice from behind them.

The Knight pushed away from Merlin, and the boy collapsed to the floor, glancing up to find-

"Arthur?" Merlin croaked.

Arthur walked into the room, sword drawn and aimed at Sir Daniel. He glanced at Merlin, heart clenching at the sight of the boy shivering on the floor, knees drawn up to cover his nakedness. "Are you alright, Merlin?"

Merlin nodded, before pausing and quickly shaking his head no.

Arthur pulled his cloak from around his shoulders, keeping the sword pointed at Daniel as he draped the cloth over Merlin. "Take your clothes, go back to my chambers, and wait for me there," he instructed.

Merlin clutched the cloak tightly to himself, scrambling up from the floor and hurriedly snatching up his clothes. He glanced at Arthur and the dashed from the room.

Daniel was still standing against the wall, staring at Arthur with a nervous look on his face. "Sire, I can expla-"

"Shut up, Daniel," snarled Arthur. A fire burned in his eyes as he looked at the man. "You're coming with me. If you say anything, I repeat anything, I will make sure that you are executed in the most painful way imaginable, is that clear?"

Daniel gulped, nodding hurriedly.

"Fasten your trousers," said Arthur, contempt oozing in his voice.

Daniel laced them with shaky hands. As soon as he was finished, Arthur grabbed his arm in a bruising grip, dragging him from the room. He stormed down the corridors, heading for the council chambers.

Uther glanced up as Arthur barged through the doors, yanking Daniel in behind him.

"Arthur," cried Uther, glancing at the advisors surrounding him. "What is the meaning of this?"

"I caught this man attempting to rape a servant," said Arthur.

Uther's eyes darkened as he turned to stare at Sir Daniel.

"She ran away before I had a chance to check if she was alright," lied Arthur. He didn't want to draw his father's attention to Merlin. "I don't know her name."

Arthur sent Daniel a warning glare as the man opened his mouth to speak.

"Behavior of this kind is not tolerated in my kingdom," said Uther, his voice eerily calm as he stared at Daniel. "You shall be stripped of your title as a Knight of Camelot. After a night in the dungeons, you shall be banished from Camelot."

"My lord-" cried Daniel.

"Silence," roared Uther. "Guards, take him away."

Arthur relinquished his grip on Daniel as if to touch him burned. He bowed quickly to his father before hurrying out the doors and rushing back to his chambers. He paused as he reached the doors, one still ajar, hearing muffled sobs and sniffling drift out into the corridor.

Slowly, Arthur eased into the room, shutting the door quietly behind him. He slid the lock into place, not wanting anyone to burst in at the moment. As he looked up, he felt his extreme anger at Daniel fade into sadness and concern for Merlin.

The boy had collapsed on the floor, knees drawn up and his face buried in them, rocking back and forth as he cried. The cloak had fallen away, but he made no move to cover back up.

Arthur cautiously stepped forward. "Merlin?"

Merlin's head snapped up, his eyes red and his face smeared with tears.

Arthur sighed, quickly crossing to him and crouching down in front of him.

Merlin hiccupped, scooting back a ways from Arthur.

"Merlin?" asked Arthur again, this time confused.

Merlin shook his head, scooting back further and uttering strange whimpers.

It took Arthur a minute to realize Merlin was mumbling "bad slave, bad slave" over and over again.

Excitement flared up in Arthur at the realization Merlin was speaking, but he squashed it down. Now was not the appropriate time. "Merlin," whispered Arthur, reaching out and gently grabbing his shoulder. Merlin froze, staring at Arthur. "Why do you think you're a bad…?" He couldn't bring himself to say it.

"Bad slave," muttered Merlin again, his voice hoarse from being unused. "Only Master is supposed to love me. No one else." He glanced back down at his knees and resumed his rocking. "You don't love me. But no one else. No one else." His shoulders shook as he began to cry again.

Arthur gaped at him, shocked. "Merlin… What do… I… Of course I love you," he sputtered. The boy was slowly becoming as dear to him as anyone else, as his father or Morgana, even Gaius who he'd known his whole life.

Merlin shook his head, tears streaming down his face. "No. I tried. You never loved me. Even when I was good. Now I'm bad. I almost let that man love me. Please, Master! Please don't punish me!" He sobbed harder, flinging himself down in front of Arthur.

Arthur paused, thinking over what Merlin had just said. Arthur had never loved him? Even when he tried… Arthur paled, feeling like his heart shattered when he realized what he was pretty sure Merlin meant. Reaching down, he gently pulled Merlin up into a sitting position. "Merlin," he said quietly. He reached out and wiped away the boy's tears, only to have fresh ones fall again. "Merlin. What do you think love is?"

Merlin's eyes clouded with confusion. He slowly stretched out a hand, palming at Arthur's groin.

Arthur sighed, grabbing the thin wrist and pulling the boy's hand away. "Merlin," he said sadly. "That's not love."

Merlin stared at him, confusion growing. "No. Masters give me love."

Arthur shifted until he was sitting on the ground. He reached out, pulling Merlin into his chest and tucking the cloak around him tightly. "No, Merlin. That's not love. You don't hurt people you love." Merlin shuddered a bit in his arms. "Love is…" Arthur paused, trying to find a way to explain. "Love is… when you care about someone. A lot… And you would do anything to protect them and make them happy… People who love you don't force themselves on you."

Merlin glanced up at him, brow still furrowed in confusion. "But…" He trailed off, staring into space, and Arthur could see him trying to process all of this.

Arthur ran his fingers through Merlin's hair soothingly. "I'm sorry you have been hurt so much in your life, Merlin," he said somberly. "I wish I could go back in time and just…" He sighed in frustration. "Just save you from all the bad things, from those awful monsters." He felt Merlin press closer to him, and Arthur tightened his grip around him. "I promise, Merlin, I promise I will show you that the world can be good, that people can be kind and loving." He pressed his check to the top of Merlin's head. "I promise, I won't let anything bad happen to you ever again."

"Thank you, Master." Merlin snuggled deeper into his arms.

"Hey now, none of that," said Arthur.

Merlin jumped, trying to pull away. "Sorry, I'm sorry!"

Arthur tightened his grip. "Merlin," he cried, causing the boy to still. "I meant the 'Master' part."

Merlin nervously looked up at him.

Arthur smiled. "You called me Arthur earlier."

Merlin's eyes widened and his face paled.

Arthur's smile saddened a bit. "Merlin, please don't call me Master. Please," he said, his voice firm but gentle. "You can call me sire when others are around, but otherwise I want you to call me Arthur. Yes?"

Merlin stared at him for a minute. "Y-Yes… Arthur."

Arthur's smiled widened and he was relieved to see Merlin return the smile, even if it was a bit strained. Arthur chuckled as Merlin suddenly yawned. "Come on, you're going to bed," he said, standing and pulling Merlin up with him.

Merlin shook his head. "I must prepare your bath."

Arthur snatched Merlin's clothes up off the floor and gently led him to the servant's quarters. "No, Merlin. You are going to sleep. I'll have someone else prepare my bath."

"Oh," was Merlin's only reply, as his hand snacked out from under the cloak to rub sleepily at his eyes.

Arthur dumped the clothes in a pile under the cupboard and gently pushed Merlin onto the bed. "Rest," he said. "I'll see you in the morning."

Merlin nodded, curling up onto his side and burrowing under the cloak. His breathing evened out before Arthur had left the room.

(Crocodile Rock now. Oh yes, I'm that dork!)

Leave lots of nice reviews and I'll let Merlin reveal a secret next chapter. *waggles eyebrows* Nudge nudge. Know what I mean? Know what I mean?