Chapter 2

Arthur opened his eyes. He was lying on his back, staring up at the ceiling. He smiled. He felt a warm presence next to him. Merlin was really here. He turned over and looked at the quietly sleeping boy. Arthur gently stroked Merlin's hair. He noticed the bruises from last night had looked mild in the dim candlelight. Merlin's face was completely black and blue, blood had dried near his nose, and his lip swelled around a nasty gash. Arthur gently lifted his shirt up, careful not to wake him. He saw more bruises up and down Merlin's torso, and a huge bruise at the site of the broken rib. Arthur's happiness was replaced by anger. Uther had maliciously attacked Merlin for no reason except an unauthorized horse ride. Arthur put Merlin's shirt down and lay still. He didn't want to wake Merlin up. The boy would be in enough pain later, he might as well enjoy the pain-free sleep. As much as Arthur wanted to hurt Uther, that's how much he didn't want to hurt Merlin. He lay there and drifted in and out of sleep for a few hours, while Merlin slept soundly. Arthur knew it was getting late, and he would be expected to his father's presence soon. He couldn't bear to wake Merlin. He tried to gently remove himself from Merlin's grasp, but he only snuggled closer into Arthur's protective arms. Arthur gave up and laid down again. Not five minutes later, the door burst open and in walked Uther. Merlin woke with a start, and shrank back when he saw Uther. The king smiled and Arthur gave his father a look that could freeze molten lava. Uther walked up to the bed. "Merlin, I knew you'd be here. When you didn't come back last night, I got worried." Uther's voice was no more than a purr and his tone was gentle and almost, loving. But there was an edge to it. "Come along, Merlin. I think you should get some rest. After all, you were attacked outside last night. Robbed, and beaten up, it was awful."

" I know what really happened, father." Arthur glared at Uther.

"Yes, and if you try to tell anyone it was me, I'll simply say that Merlin wasn't well, he didn't remember correctly when he told you. "

"I was not robbed, Uther. I plan to tell everyone exactly what you did to me. Everyone. And I have the bruises to prove it."

Uther was about to fire an angry retort when he stopped, and his face softened. He smiled. "I understand. Why don't we go to the throne room, and work out the details of, an arrangement. "
"Fine, but Arthur is coming with us."

"Of course Arthur can come. Let's get going, shall we?"

Merlin started to follow with Arthur behind Uther. As they exited the chamber, two guards stepped out and pushed Arthur back in. Arthur tried to fight, but he was overpowered by the guards and they slammed his chamber door on his and stood in front. Uther smiled. "Thank you, men. Stay there and make sure Arthur doesn't get out. He's been delirious lately. Someone might get hurt."

Uther grabbed Merlin's arm tightly and dragged him down the hallway, Merlin groaning in pain with every step. Uther stopped him just as they were about to go down the stairs. Uther roughly let go of Merlin and the boy tripped back.

"I'm sorry, I won't tell anyone. Please take me back, sire. Please, I'm sorry!"

Uther sneered. "You have the gall to ask for my forgiveness after you slept with my son and then blackmailed me?!"

"Please! I'm sorry!"

Uther grabbed Merlin's shoulder. He spoke softly. "I know." he kissed Merlin gently, looked into his bright blue eyes and pushed the boy down the stairs. Merlin tumbled down the stairs head over heel, landing with a thud at the bottom. Uther walked down the stairs quickly. He nudged Merlin with his foot. The boy didn't move. Uther smiled. No one would be in that part of the castle for the day, because he had given the servants time off, and most of the guards were outside. He walked away with a grin. He won. Or so he thought.

Arthur was getting tired. He had been yelling and throwing himself against his chamber door for the better part of an hour. He finally stopped and sank against the wall. What was his father doing to Merlin? Was he even still alive? Arthur started formulating a plan. A plan to save Camelot and Merlin from Uther. If he could only get out of this room...

Arthur woke up to a loud noise, back still against the wall in his chamber. It was dark out. He must have fallen asleep while planning. He got up and put his ear to the door. He couldn't quite make out what was being yelled. He concentrated and he could hear faint cries of "Help me, please, someone!" the guards must have heard it as well because they ran from their post at the door. Once they had gone, Arthur opened the door and crept down the dark hall towards the noise. He cam to the stairs. He looked down and at the bottom, laid something surrounded by servants and knights. Arthur ran down the stairs. Gwen was there, with Lancelot, and she was standing outside the crowd looking shell-shocked. Arthur looked at her. "What happened?" He couldn't see past the guards and people. Gwen looked at Arthur with big eyes. "It's.. Merlin. He fell down the stairs. He's covered in bruises and his bones..." Gwen started to cry. Lancelot took her in his arms. Arthur pushed through the crowd. He came to the center. Merlin was lying sprawled at the bottom of the staircase. his face was almost unrecognizable from bruises and blood. Arthur could see that Merlin's leg had landed underneath him and was most certainly broken. He was also willing to bet more ribs were broken and probably his nose. He kneeled down and put a hand to Merlin's chest. He was alive, but who knows if he would stay that way. Merlin's eyes fluttered open, and Gwaine, who had been right next to Merlin, jumped up with excitement. "He's alive!" Merlin couldn't barely open his eyes. He saw a dim light, and he saw a man with golden hair hovering over him. Merlin tried to speak but his body was wracked with pain. The pain was unthinkable. The light went black and he passed out.

The next time Merlin awoke, he was lying in a big bed. His leg was propped up on pillows. His head was covered in bandages and his face felt like it had been swollen shut. He looked down and noticed he was shirtless. HIs upper chest had been bandaged completely, and tightly at that. He tried to sit up, but was gently pushed down again. He looked over and found Arthur there, smiling at him through red, puffy eyes. Arthur got up, and hovered over Merlin. He kissed the boy's lips gently, careful not to hurt Merlin's face. Merlin smiled up at the golden haired man, and drifted back to sleep.

Uther paced his chamber. How had Merlin survived that fall? It should have killed him! If the people found out that he beat Merlin and threw him down the stairs, there would be riots. The majority of nobles had warmed up to Merlin, and the peasants who already knew him loved him dearly. Uther would never get away with it. He would be assassinated or deposed. He had to act like a caring partner to Merlin, get all of Camelot to believe that Merlin had fought off an assassin in the King's chamber, and been pushed down the stairs in the chase. Then, one night, Merlin would die, quietly, and everyone one believe that he had died from his injuries, internal bleeding perhaps. And then he could play the devastated monarch, and in the end, look like a saint. It was perfect. He could take care of Arthur if he needed to. The boy would see reason in the end. After all, no one questioned Uther Pendragon. No one.