Chapter 3

(A/N- graphic(ish) description of rape. Read at your own risk!)

Arthur

The walk to Uther's "chambers" was long and painful. I went to speak to him about what I did, about how I saved Merlin. I recited my speech to myself, "Father," I would say, "I couldn't have a damaged servant, now could I?" I decided to put on the best 'I'm-a-spoiled-prat' voice that I could manage. I'll pretend to regret my actions, I'll act like I wished it never happened, and that I hope he can forgive my selfishness . "I'm not lying," I say aloud, trying to convince myself. "Its half true."

Just before I reach my father's apartments, I freeze in my tracks. When I last saw Merlin (3 days, 8 hours, and 20 minutes ago. Not that I'm counting), he was bloody and unconscious, now, he is bloody and very much awake. He is limping away from fathers apartment, looking dejected and ashamed. For a moment, I wonder why was with Uther, horrible things cross my mind, but I quickly push them away. My father wouldn't do that, would he?

I briefly consider calling out to Merlin, to ask him what he was doing with Father, but I don't. I'll just ask Father, he'll tell me what they were doing. I'm sure Merlin was just...cleaning... or trying to figure out when he starts work as my servant.

At the thought of Merlin working for me, images flash through my mind: Merlin, naked from the waist up, on his knees before, his mouth expertly sucking my cock. Another Image; Merlin, completely naked now, a thin sheen of sweat glistening on his pale chest, writhing under me, moaning my name...

"NO!" I think before my thoughts can get away from me, "I can't think about my servant like that!" It takes me a moment to calm down before I enter Uther's apartments.

When I see him, he has a smug smile of his face, and a cigarette in his mouth. "Odd," I think, "I didn't know he smoked." When he sees me, his look of satisfaction is replaced with a look of rage.

Before I can begin my "I'm Sorry" speech, Uther shouts, "WHAT WERE YOU THINKING?! Why would you rescue him?! What has that insolent man ever done for you?" Uther's face is dark red with rage, the veins in his neck bulging, if a looks could kill, I would have been dead moments ago.

"Father, I..." But he cuts me off. "No. I don't care what you were thinking. It's obvious that you weren't. I told everyone there that you were drunk, and that is the way it is going to stay, right?" I give a nod of affirmation. "Good, now, Merlin will began working for you the day after tomorrow, he is there to work. You will not be friends. You will not speak to him unless absolutely necessary. Do I make myself clear?"

Devastated I nod. Uther turns away from me, a clear sign that I am being dismissed. Slowly, I walk to my rooms. Think about everything Father said, and about how to defy him without getting caught, for Merlin's sake, not my own.

Merlin

I woke up three days after Arthur saved me, and was told to immediately report to Uther. I know what is going to happen to me, because it's happened before, and I'm sure it will happen many times after this. If I wasn't here, in this hellish place, I could use my magic to keep Uther away from me. But, sadly, I cannot. No one knows that I have magic, if they did, if Uther did, I would probably "disappear." The Carnival might be a place for non-violent criminals, and sorcerers, but that doesn't stop Uther. He believes that magic is the most vile thing to plague the earth. So, I just take whatever he does to me, and hope for an escape, or for death.

I approach Uther's apartment, and swiftly knock on the door, dread surging through my veins. He comes to the door, and smiles a cruel smile, taking my hand and leading me to his room. I become numb as he pushes my body into the wall, and presses himself onto me. His lips crush mine as his erection grinds into my thigh.

When I do not react, he pulls back and slaps me again and again. I try to keep the tears from welling in my eyes, but I cannot. He laughs at my pain, and hits me again, this time splitting my lip. He laps up the blood, and he takes off his pants, and pulls out his cock. I flinch, and he places his knee on my throat, while shoving his member into my mouth.

I choke, and gasp for breath to no avail. This goes on for what seems like an eternity, and then he stops. "Stop, please!" I beg, and he laughs. I try to hit him, to claw his face, to get him off me, but that only makes him angrier.

I feel a sharp pain in my jaw, and then everything goes black.

I wake up, naked and in pain. I look down to see my body covered in bruises, and blood. Quickly, I gather my clothes, and leave Uther's apartment. Tears stream down my face as I walk briskly back to my cage, praying to whoever will listen for sleep.

I see Gwen, and I know that she knows, shame goes through my body, but she says nothing. I arrive at my cage, and the guards let me in. They don't say anything, but they know what just happened they have seen me like this before. One of them leans towards me as he is shutting the door. A tall, dark man by the name of Lancelot. He whispers to me, "We will not let anyone disturb you." I nod in appreciation, and collapsing onto my cot, fall quickly asleep.

(A/N- I'm back! Sorry that I suck at updating, I've been really busy! Which is not an excuse, I know. Hopefully, I'll AT LEAST update once a month. Again, very sorry! I love all of you, but I love the ones who review/favorite/follow my story even more!)