Content warning; Whipping.
I'm a terrible person...
For this part, I will be writing in Arthur's point of view.
This kind of betrayal would not have been allowed by his father, he would have the head of any man who even attempted what Gwaine had done to him. Arthur stormed through the castle, making his way down to the dungeon, finding the cell that Gwaine had been taken to and chained in. "I should have your head for betraying me, Gwaine." Arthur sneered at him from the other side of the bars, "For Merlin's sake, you will live. However, you still need to be punished for what you did. Merlin is mine, after this, if you come after him again, I will have your head." Arthur threatened darkly, then turned to his guards. "Prepare him for the punishment."
With the king's order, the guards unlocked the door, shuffling into the cell, positioning Gwaine. They left the cell once Gwaine was in place. "Shouldn't it be up to Merlin who he likes, Arthur?" The King ignored the question, grabbing a whip and entered the cell. Snapping the whip, he watched as it struck Gwaine's back, the sound of his scream like music to his ears. This man was no longer his friends, friends did not stab each other in the back.
"It's not like you love him, Gwaine. Just your new fascination. You'll ditch Merlin the moment you find a new pretty face to chase after." Arthur hissed, striking Gwaine again with more fury, with only a moment between the licks of the whip, not leaving until every inch of his back was bleeding. "Stay away from Merlin, this is your last warning Gwaine." With that Arthur left the cell, the guards locking the door behind him. "Keep him locked up for a few days, let the message sink in." The king ordered as he stocked off, heading up the stairs and going back the way he came.
Back to Merlin who was being held in his room.
Merlin's POV
The moment Arthur had left the room, the sorcerer climbed off the bed, going to the door, opening it up coming face to face with the guards standing outside of the door. "Let me through."
"The king ordered us to keep you in the room." The sorcerer huffed at the guards response, it would be easy to knock them out and take off anyway. Arthur was already angry and he did not want to upset him even more; not even he knew what Arthur would do if he was really angry. Hesitantly, he moved back into the room, closing the doors and waited for the king to return.
Arthur came back after a while, his eyes landing on Merlin. "What did you do to Gwaine?" Merlin asked him, his tone level.
"That doesn't concern you, Merlin."
"Is he at least alive?" Arthur narrowed his eyes at him, but nodded his head. A wave of relief swept through him.
"Go get dressed, then come back to me. We have work to be done Merlin." Arthur ordered the sorcerer.
"Yes, sire." Merlin responded, heading out the door and hurried off. Arthur waited a moment before going to the halls and looked to the guard on the right.
"Make sure he doesn't go down to the dungeons."
"Yes, sire. " The guard took off, following after Merlin. The sorcerer didn't think that Arthur would have him followed, and at the distant the guard was from him, when he checked his surroundings they were clear and he headed down to the dungeons to check on Gwaine. He was nearly there when a hand on his shoulder stopped him, he turned his head and smiled innocently when he saw the guard.
"The king, told you to go get changed. Not to go to the dungeons." The guard was stern, waiting for Merlin to turn around, keeping close now that he had caught up to the sorcerer taking him to Gauis', the old man looked confused when Merlin came in with the guard.
"Where have you been Merlin?" He asked, looking the guard over, then looked to Merlin.
"Long story, I will tell you later. Arthur needs me." Merlin went to his room to change his clothes. After he was dressed, Merlin left the house with the guard at his heels, he looked back at the man a bit flustered he was watching his every move. "Making a quick detour to fetch Arthur's breakfast." The guard nodded, following Merlin to the busy kitchen, watching him closely as he grabbed the plate and continued after him back to the king's chambers.
To be continued...