See Chapter 1 for warnings & info

Author's Notes: And we have a section that's pretty much entirely plot. I know, right?

Morning arrived, and light streamed through one of the stained glass windows of Arthur's room. He woke slowly, a smile spreading across his face as he found Merlin sleeping beside him. He couldn't resist pressing a kiss to his lover's forehead, even as a sense of wistful sadness enveloped the prince. Knowing he would have to be parted from Merlin again wasn't something he was particularly looking forward to. If Julian wasn't completely debilitated from his hangover, then he'd be wondering where Merlin was soon. "Hey, sleepyhead," he called, gently stirring the other man.

Merlin stirred, smiling at the sound of Arthur's voice even before he managed to claw his way up from the depths of sleep. His body ached, his cheeks twinged when he smiled, but Merlin still opened his eyes to gaze up at his lover. "You're beautiful," he murmured, tongue thick with the paralysis of a long, heavy rest. But he knew what waited, and reluctantly the sorcerer rose and stretched. "Need to go before Julian wakes up." And before Morena was swept away for wedding preparations. His stomach fluttered at the thought of the wedding. By the end of the night, Arthur would be married. He swallowed hard, reminding himself that Morena had already made it clear he wouldn't be excised from the new family. "Can't get in the way of them making you all pretty today."

Arthur drew Merlin close, unwilling to let his lover depart just yet. "Are you well? Did the ointment help?" he inquired, his eyes filled with deep concern for Merlin's well-being. He would never be able to make it through the day knowing that the one person he loved most in all the world was in discomfort. The prince let his hand roam over Merlin's lovely body, his caresses tender and meaningful. He had no idea if he might be able to leave his marriage quarters tonight, and he wanted to relish as much of his time alone with Merlin as possible.

"Yes. Feel better. Honestly." Merlin knew that he needed to hurry if he was going to speak to Morena and somehow reach Julian before the man woke - likely in ill-temper given the hangoever he was going to have - but he couldn't draw himself away from the gentle touch. "Are we crazy for thinking this can work?" Arthur was the king. All eyes would be on him. How could they possibly carry on an affair with the entire court staring them, with guards constantly monitoring Arthur? /Because they only see what they want to see. Look at Uther.../

"Maybe," Arthur conceded, raining sweet kisses down onto the top of Merlin's dark head. "Only I know we can make this work. Besides," he was smiling now, "you had no other choice. Your prince wishes it to be so." It took an Herculean effort on Arthur's part, but he managed to finally draw himself away from his lover and begin his preparations for the day. He was not looking forward to the ceremony, which was nothing more than a very sad sham. Arthur felt worst of all for Morena, who genuinely cared for him and yet he would never be able to return those feelings. Shaking his head over the whole sorry state of affairs, he embraced Merlin one last time, promising, "The moment I can get away I will come and find you."

"Please," Merlin agreed with a sigh. He allowed himself to steal a quick kiss before dressing. A final glance at the prince, a smile, and Merlin hurried down the hallway. There were a few servants in the hallway but little more. It was easy to get to Morena's room without being interrupted. The door opened at the sound of his voice, and Merlin plastered a smile on his face for her benefit only to have it falter at the look of shock on her face.

"Oh... Merlin..." Morena's fingers brushed against the cuts on both cheeks before she drew the young man into the room. "Was it... was it very..."

He nodded. "Yeah. But it... if it works-"

"It will," Morena assured firmly. "I would never have let you put yourself in danger that way if I wasn't sure. I'm only sorry that... I had hoped that your master being there might be something of a deterrent."

Disgusted as he was to think about it, Merlin agreed reluctantly, "It probably did. I think it would have been worse if no one had been there. Anyway, it's done."

"Then before another week is out, Arthur should be king." When Merlin started for the door, Morena caught his wrist in her hand. "I won't stand between you, Merlin. I couldn't. I... I hope that someday I may find someone who looks at me the way Arthur looks at you. However we can make this work, we will. All three of us. Four," she added, one hand moving to the swelling stomach ill-hidden by the folds of her gown. "Now hurry before your master wakes. You won't share his bed much longer." The woman had no doubt that Arthur would have the man removed from Camelot as soon as decency allowed. She sighed and watched Merlin go, wondering what would happen for all of them in the days to come.

Merlin made his way into his master's room quietly. The door didn't creak, and Merlin said a silent prayer for it. Though it made his skin crawl, he slid between the sheets next to the man and closed his eyes, feigning sleep.

Julian awoke like a bear with a sore head. He peered through heavy lids at Merlin, who was sleeping beside him. He didn't remember getting into bed last night, let alone what had happened after he'd fucked Uther's delicious little morsel Theoden. His heart ached too much to contemplate the matter further, and Julian decided that Merlin must have safely brought him to their own bedchamber. That thought made him smile, and forgetting his hangover for a moment, wrapped his arms around the boy and drew him in close. "Good morning," he whispered, pressing a chaste kiss to his mouth.

Merlin fought a wave of revulsion at the touch but managed to plaster a smile on his face. "Morning," he bid brightly enough. Despite himself he felt a twinge of concern at the bags beneath Julian's eyes and the look of bone-weary tiredness on his face. "How are you feeling?" He wondered if the man even remembered half of the night before. It really wasn't like Julian to share with anyone, to let someone else play with his favorite toy. The thought made Merlin sick all over again, but it was true enough. Julian protected him, cared for him, but it was the same care someone might show to their prize mare or their favorite sword. It wasn't real, and now that he'd been with Arthur again, it wasn't even close to enough.

"Terrible," Julian groaned, burying his face in Merlin's throat. He breathed in and noticed how the boy smelled differently, as if he had been with someone else. Julian was about to question this when he remembered that Merlin had, in fact, been fucked within an inch of his life by Uther last night. /Of course. That's it./ As more clarity began to light its way through his murky head, the nobleman peered up at Merlin again, wondering aloud, "I suppose everyone is readying themselves for the big event?" The sooner is was over, the quicker he could take his beautiful toy back home.

"Yes," Merlin answered, feeling his stomach clench at the thought. He hated the idea. He hated it. He didn't hate Morena, liked her even, but the thought of Arthur being bound to someone else despite their confessions to one another was painful. He squeezed his eyes shut against the thought and sighed softly. "We should prepare, Master." The sooner they were ready, the sooner the whole thing was over, the better. Merlin knew that somehow Arthur would find a way to keep him in Camelot, he just hoped that whatever reasons he found, they would be enough.

Julian ran a possessive hand over Merlin's chest, only to find that he felt much too awful to take advantage of his pretty slave. That was a first for the nobleman, and he groaned out his frustration. "Before we bathe, would you be so kind as to visit the apothecary and procure something for my head?" He pressed a kiss to the side of Merlin's mouth, unable to find the strength to do more. "If I'm ever going to make it through the rest of the day, let alone a royal ceremony, then I'm going to need a little aid."

"Of course," Merlin agreed despite his heart sinking at the thought. He got himself dressed properly and checked the mirror, wincing at the sight of the cuts and bruises still visible on his was nothing for it, and he made his way down to the apothecary, half hoping that Gaius would somehow not be present. It was a foolish hope, and Merlin felt his stomach flutter at the sight of Gaius bent over an ancient book and frowning. It was painfully familiar and wonderful. "Gaius?" he half-whispered before realizing the man probably hadn't even heard him and taking a shuffling step forward to move into the man's view.

Gaius started at Merlin's voice, glancing up from his research and peering at the boy over the top of his glasses. "Merlin?" Relief and sadness waged war as they simultaneously passed over his aged features. He pushed himself up from the table and hurried over to Merlin, embracing him after the momentary shock of seeing him again wore off. "I heard whispers that you had returned," Gaius said, shaking slightly as he drew back and looked at him fully. "I've been terribly worried." He noted the healing cuts and purpling bruises, urging Merlin to take a seat as he immediately set to work on applying ointment to his wounds.

Despite his intentions to be strong and brave, Merlin could feel tears in his eyes at the way the man cared for him without question. "I thought about coming, I just..." He bit his lip and shrugged, uncertain. He hadn't felt as if he deserved Gaius' gentle ministrations, for one thing. For another, he'd been ashamed of his own stupid choices that had, one after another, led to his current situation. "I'm alright. Honestly. Arthur nicked some of that already," he assured, nose wrinkling at the smell of the salve. It was effective, yes, but the menthol stench was unpleasant at best. "I... I actually came for," Merlin hesitated but knew no other word, "for my master. He asked for something for his head. Hangover."

Gaius could not even begin to fathom what Merlin had been through. There was a haunted look in the boy's eyes he had never seen before, and it stung him deeply. "Yes, well, we'll see to that in a moment. First I want to make sure you're taken care of." He continued working on Merlin's wounds, each one a painful roadmap of his journey. Gaius hesitated to ask, but he did so as gently as possible, "How long will you be staying in Camelot? Is there anything we can do to keep you here permanently?"

Merlin had to fight to breathe for a moment, though he managed to force a smile that looked almost natural. "I hope so. I... well, Arthur's working on something. I hope... if... well, if it all goes well..." He shrugged, uncertain but hopeful. He never wanted to leave again, certainly not as Julian's property. He wanted nothing more than to be home again. "But obviously right now, the... the wedding... Anyway, that's got to come first."

Gaius wasn't quite sure he understood. What could Arthur possibly do? Did Merlin know something? Perhaps it was best not to inquire further... "There now, I think that should help you heal faster," he decided, surveying his work. Gaius then rummaged through his various potions and produced one for Merlin. "And this should help your... master." Saying the word left a terrible taste in the older man's mouth. "Merlin, my boy, are you sure I can't help you?"

"No... no, not now, Gaius, but... but seeing you helped." It was true. Just speaking to Gaius made Merlin feel better, and he impulsively embraced the man before standing again. "This won't be the last you'll see of me. I promise." Merlin flashed a bright smile and then headed back to his master's room. He pushed the door open and held the bottle out in front of him as if it might somehow ward the man off. "Gaius said this should have you feeling better in no time."

Julian eagerly accepted the vial and downed the contents in one go. He screwed up his mouth in distaste, but it was worth it if it meant his terrible headache subsided. "Thank you," he told Merlin, eying him curiously. "I was beginning to worry about you. Got your wounds taken care of, did you?" He smiled, no displeased. "You're far too lovely to be marked up." The nobleman stroked his fingers across the unblemished side of Merlin's face, relishing the beauty of his prized slave. "Now, will you help me to bathe? You can join me of course."

"If you wish, sir, but I bathed last night after you... fell asleep." That was a very polite way of pointing out that the man had passed out. Merlin didn't want Julian to touch him. The thought sickened him, but until Arthur found a way to extricate him from the man's service, there was also little he could do. With the exception of the night before, the truth was that Julian was usually indulgent with him. He saw no reason to destroy that balance now, not so close to freedom.

"Did you now?" Julian arched his eyebrows at Merlin. "Without my permission?" Had returning to Camelot made his slave believe he had certain freedoms again? Julian would have thought Merlin might have been too concerned about stepping out of line. "You should know better than that, boy." He stepped closer to Merlin, reaching out to stroke the unblemished side of his face. "However, since I was too drunk to known my own name, I'll forgive you this time." Managing an affectionate smile, he urged, "Help me to bathe, then?"

"Of course, sir." For a moment Merlin had been sure that Julian would order something more, and he felt his nerves settle a bit at the release of obligation. Once the tub was prepared, Merlin smoothly helped the man to undress. It was habitual now, though Merlin was glad to note that he didn't feel the usual thrill of desire that sang through him every time he saw Julian unclothed. He just felt grateful at the idea that he might never see the man again soon enough. It wasn't that Julian was cruel to him. In a way, Julian had been giving him everything he asked for - oblivion, a chance not to think of Arthur. But he didn't want that anymore. "Let me know if the water isn't comfortable."

"It's perfect," Julian sighed, closing his eyes and laying his head back against the rim of the tub. The medicine Merlin had fetched for him was beginning to clear his head, and the nobleman started to feel like himself again. "It's a shame you can't join me, boy." Julian suddenly decided why there was a change in Merlin. /Of course. I've been too out of it to give him the elixir./ He would see to that soon enough then. The last thing he needed was Merlin regaining his powers, especially within the environs of Camelot. After all, he had given Uther his assurance that Merlin was no longer a danger. "Bathe me, and then we'll both get dressed."

"Of course, Sir," Merlin answered. He felt better, felt like himself for the first time in so long it was bizarre. He didn't even mind helping Julian to bathe, didn't mind washing the man's skin or drying it carefully with a soft towel afterward. There was an end in sight. Even if he hated the idea of watching the man he loved marry someone else, at least he knew now that Arthur loved him too. Somehow they were going to be together again. He was finally letting himself truly believe that, and it gave him a burst of renewed hope and strength. "What would you like to wear for the occasion, Sir?"

"I brought outfits for both of us in the largest trunk," Julian replied, indicating the baggage with a slight nod of his head. While Merlin went to fetch their clothing, the nobleman sauntered over to a table and poured two drinks from a decanter. Then, he recovered the vial of elixir and surreptitiously added it to Merlin's wine. "Here," he said, passing the spiked glass to his slave. "A toast to the happy couple." Julian drank, appreciating the fine vintage. "Just think, we'll be on our way tonight. Doesn't that make you happy?"

Merlin almost choked on the wine. His eyes widened slightly before he could mask the reaction, but Merlin quickly looked down. "Tonight? Really?" He tried hard to sound light and conversational. "I'd thought we would be staying. I'm sure there will be festivities for days with the prince getting married... sir," Merlin added hurriedly upon realizing he'd forgotten. "Wouldn't the king miss your company?"

"I'm more interested in getting you back home with me," Julian replied, taking a long drink and finishing his wine. He set the goblet down and moved in closer to Merlin. "There's been a definite change in you. Don't deny it, boy. I can see it, and I don't like it." Urging his slave to drink from his own goblet, Julian started to dress Merlin for the wedding. "You belong to me wherever we are. Do not forget that."

Merlin looked down, feeling his cheeks burning. He'd tried to remain the same, but it was hard with a clear head to pretend that Julian was anything but an interruption to what he really wanted. "I know, Sir," he finally admitted, silently praying that Arthur wasn't so sidetracked with the wedding that the man was able to get him out of the kingdom. Knowing what he did now, Merlin had no idea if Arthur would even be able to find them if they left. The thought terrified him. He couldn't leave Arthur, not again. He simply couldn't.

"Good," Julian seemed pleased with Merlin's cowed demeanor. He finished dressing his lovely slave, taking a step back to observe him with a wolfish gaze. "Oh, you are delicious, boy." Turning to his own choice of clothing, the nobleman waited patiently while Merlin dressed him. "Now, don't look so sad," he reprimanded softly. "We have a wedding to attend, then we'll be on our way home. Back to our own bed."

That actually sounded terrible, but Merlin forced a smile onto his face, reminding himself that Arthur wouldn't forget him. The prince would find a way. He had to. Meanwhile, Merlin went through the usual motions of dressing his master and tried not to think of the fact that Julian had chosen a less-than-appropriate ensemble for him to wear. The black pants were ridiculously tight, the white shirt they were paired with almost see through. Only the velvet vest that came with it saved the top from being entirely indecent. If he hadn't already been in trouble, Merlin would have pointed out that they were going to a royal wedding and that a little decorum would be advisable. "There... I think that's done, sir."

"You've done well, pet." Julian continued to watch Merlin carefully, waiting to see if the elixir he had slipped into the boy's drink would take effect. He reached out and caressed the unblemished side of Merlin's cheek again. "I fear it might well have been a mistake to visit Camelot. Never mind, we will soon be on our way again." Offering his slave his arm, the nobleman led the way from their quarters and downstairs where guests were already mingling. There was no sign of the King, nor the prince. Julian gave an exasperated sigh. "I wonder what's keeping them?"

"Dramatic entrance?" Merlin suggested. He was feeling fuzzier all the time, and though he'd suspected that his drink was dosed, the reality of knowing it was true didn't feel any better. He didn't want that feeling anymore. He didn't want to feel as if a part of himself was missing. More than anything, he didn't want to respond to Julian's touch. There was still a little time before the ceremony, and Merlin suspected that Arthur was still being readied for the event by his servants, whoever they were now. The thought annoyed him. /I should be there. I should be with him./

A/N: To be continued in the next part where things come together for the ceremony…