I am really sorry it took me so long, all I can say is life got in the way again...

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Chapter 5 What did Arthur do to Merlin!

Merlin walked down the corridors on his way back to the court physician's chambers. He was feeling numb, and he felt lost. He never thought in a million years that Arthur would hurt him like that. He could feel the sting on his cheek and that was all he felt at the moment.

On his way he came across the king and some knights walking and talking in the corridors. Merlin dropped his head in respect and made to walk past. But Sir Edward, who was among the group, stopped him.

"Merlin! There you are I had been in to see you this morning, but Gaius said you had to go in and tend to the prince!" The rest of the group had also stopped and were listening, it made Merlin self conscious, especially to know the king was present among them. "I thought you had the day off Merlin?" Merlin dropped his head at that.

"The prince needed my assistance" Merlin answered respectfully, he didn't think the knights would notice the change in his behavior much, due to the presence of the king. They were bound to think Merlin was been respectful. But luck was not on his side today.

"Merlin, look up" Sir Edward told him firmly. When Merlin didn't listen he asked again, making it sound like an order, so Merlin couldn't refuse. He looked up at the gathering man, his face void of any expiration. He saw some of the knights take a step back and saw the look of rage cross Sir Edwards face and was confused as to why such a exaggerated reaction. "Merlin, who did this to you?" Sir Edward asked, with barely suppressed anger. Merlin cringed and took a step back from the angry knight, but didn't say anything.

"Answer, who did that to you?" He looked at the king, who had spoken, in surprise. The king didn't look angry though, he was just frowning. Merlin had no choice but to answer the king.

"Prince Arthur was not happy with me asking for the day off, Sire" Was all Merlin said. The reaction to his answer was incredible. They all stared at him in utter shock. Even the king looked upset.

"Arthur did that to you!" he exclaimed. "Sir Owen!" Uther addressed one of the knights present, who stood to attention with a "Yes Sir?", "I need you to go and inform my son that he is needed in the throne room" Sir Owen bowed and walked of in the direction of the prince's room. Merlin stared at the king.

"Sir, please, I don't want the prince in trouble on my account" Merlin pleaded. He was upset at Arthur, but he steel loved the git. He knew how much been at odds with his father upset the future king, and for it to happen because of Merlin? Arthur would hate him even more!

"I did not raise my son to abuse his servants!" the king snapped and walked off to the throne room. The knights followed him, except for Sir Edward.

"Sir Edward please, I don't want Arthur in trouble!" Merlin pleaded, but the knight just looked at him with affection and said:

"Don't worry about him Merlin, you're too good to him" Merlin frowned at that. "go get some rest and make sure Gaius takes a look at that face of yours" then he patted Merlin on the back and walked of in the direction the rest of the knights (and the king) had gone, leaving Merlin to stare after them in despaired.

MAMAMAMAMAMAMAMAMAMA

Arthur was just getting ready for bed when there was a knock on the door. He pause, hoping it was Merlin so he could ... he didn't know what, but something. He held his breath and was about to say enter when he changed his mind. If it was Merlin he wanted to open the door himself. He walked over opened the door and saw...

"Sir Owen!" Arthur exclaimed. "What can I do for you?" Arthur looked at the young knight curiously. He looked stony faced and angry. Arthur was confused. "Is everything alright?" he asked before the knight could answer his earlier question.

"The king requires your presence in the throne room sir" the knight said in a tight voice.

"May I ask why?" Arthur inquired looking at the stiff knight, whose eyes flashed at the prince's question, but he didn't answer and just stood waiting. Arthur sighed and turned back in to his room to redress himself. Once he was dressed he grabbed his sward, and left his room to follow the silent knight to the throne room. Sir Owen stayed quiet for the rest of the walk, and Arthur didn't try to make conversation either, there was no question that the young man was upset at Arthur. When they got to the throne room and the doors opened, Arthur walked in followed by the Sir Owen. His father sat on his throne looking crossed and his knights standing next to him facing the prince, waiting for him. Sir Owen joined them and stared at Arthur who was feeling more and more like he was on trial. "Father? Is everything alright?"

"Arthur!" his father started sounding angry, and definitely directed at Arthur, who gulped. "A bout half an hour ago me and the knights were walking down the corridors when your manservant, Merlin came walking past"

"Merlin?" Arthur asked, wondering what was wrong with Merlin.

"Yes Merlin" his father confirmed. "Sir Edward stopped the young man to ask why he had been to work when it was it seemed his birthday" the king stopped to see if Arthur would say anything. But he didn't. Arthur knew Sir Edward was friends with Merlin and he thought he knew where this was going. Deciding to be honest with himself, Arthur didn't blame Merlin for telling on him, but he was a bit disappointed, he wished there was room for Merlin to forgive him, but there didn't seem to be. When it became apparent Arthur wasn't going to say anything, the king continued. "Merlin was reluctant to look up, seeming ashamed of something, but when ordered he did look up. It seemed someone had hurt your servant Arthur" again a pause waiting for Arthur's reaction, but all Arthur could do was look down. The continued "he was reluctant to say who had hurt him" at this Arthur looked up, Merlin hadn't wanted to tell? "But when I ordered him he said that you weren't happy with him wanting today off. He never said that you hit him Arthur, but I do wish for you tell me the truth. Merlin was adamant that you not get into trouble on his account. But I want to know Arthur, did you hurt your manservant?" Arthur could lie, he knew he could, and his father would believe him and Merlin would be in trouble. Arthur felt more shame to even think this.

"It was me father" Arthur confirmed and heard the angry mumbles from his knights.

"Arthur, I can say that I am disappointed" Uther said in a flat voice. "I did not raise you to abuse and mistreat your servants" Arthur hung his head in shame. "I cannot let this go Arthur, you need punishment, the people need to see that I would not condone this kind of behavior, even from my own son" Arthur nodded not having anything to say, "You will spend three days in the cells" Uther motioned for Sir Owen, who came towards Arthur taking his sward and taking Arthur's arm and leading him out of the room and towards the cells, followed by two guards. All Arthur could do was let them take him.

MAMAMAMAMAMAMAMAMAMA

Uther Pendragon prided himself as a just king. That is why he didn't see anything wrong with sentencing his own son against a servant. But it did catch his attention that neither his son nor his knights objected to his sentence like he expected, and again unlike he expected the servant objected. He needed to know everything about this Merlin. After Uther had sentenced his son, he had talked to the knights about this Merlin, and all he heard were words of praise. His knights cared a great deal about this boy, and all claimed the boy's personality commanded it. Well Merlin had found some time on his hands, and he would tend to the king during the princes punishment and Uther will keep an eye on the boy to see what sort of power he had over them, he just hoped sorcery wasn't involved, because he knew the boy cared for Arthur and had witnessed the amount of time he had saved the princes life.

Tomorrow Uther would start the process of solving the mystery that was Merlin, his son's manservant.

End of Chapter

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