Carry on my Wayward Servant
Chapter 7: Innocence
Merlin searched the castle for Lancelot, wondering where he could be. He wasn't in his room, he wasn't in the courtyard. Maybe Gwen had seen him? Merlin rethought that. He didn't want to be the one to tell Guinevere that Lancelot was here, and he was sure that his friend didn't want such a thing either.
"Merlin?" He froze, heart fluttering at the soft voice. He had dreamt of that voice last night. They had been in a field full of wildflowers, and she had told him something...something about his destiny. It had calmed him, lulled him through all of the nightmares of Arthur leaving him.
"Lady Katherine." He turned around, grinning widely as he was truly happy to see the girl whose life he had saved. "Are you feeling better?"
She nodded, dress swishing as she made her way over. She was dressed in a midnight blue gown that made her dark eyes all the more piercing. "Thanks to you. I can't tell you how grateful I am to have met you at the time I did." She gave a soft laugh. "I didn't exactly feel like being snake food just yet."
Merlin laughed as well, the grin permanently stuck on his features as he stared at her. Had she always been this beautiful? No matter how much he tried, he couldn't seem to look away from her eyes. He couldn't think of anything other than how beautiful and kind she had seemed in his dream, standing amongst all those flowers. "I was glad to have met you as well." He smiled shyly. "Will you be staying long?"
"A few days." She walked up, reaching out to clasp his hand in her own. "King Uther thinks that I should recuperate here in the castle." She squeezed the hand and he felt his stomach do a flip-flop. "I didn't mind that much, after all it gives me more time to spend with you."
"Me?" He asked, seriously confused. "Milady why would you want to spend your time with a lowly servant?" His voice was full of wonder, so much in fact that he had failed to see how close they had gotten.
"Oh Merlin, you are so much more than just a servant." The words caused something to swell in his chest, and his head was fuzzy as she leaned up, placing a small kiss on his cheek before backing away.
"What was that for?" Merlin asked, smiling stupidly as he rubbed his cheek.
"Lots of things." She replied back in her soft tone. "It's just I can see how important we shall be to each other. I look forward to it." He raised an eyebrow, but she just gave a coy laugh. "I hear Arthur has ran after the snake." The words were like shattering glass, and if he hadn't been so very good at knowing the use of magic he would have accused the lady of bespelling him into completely forgetting his original purpose.
"Arthur!" He exclaimed. How long had he been talking to Katherine? "I'm sorry milady, but I have to go!" He bowed to her, feeling that same compulsion he had felt a moment ago to not leave her side, but this time he ignored it, seeing Arthur's face in his mind instead.
His heart was pounding by the time he exited the castle, knowing of only one other place where he could possible find Lancelot, and his suspicions turned out to be correct. Lancelot was in the stables, working one handed to ready a horse, as he seemed to grit his teeth in frustration.
"I'm sorry I'm late!" Merlin said behind him, causing Lancelot to slightly turn with a rueful expression.
"Held up?" He asked, bitterness somewhat laced in his voice as he finished tightening the saddle. "Arthur rode out hours ago." He was about to open his mouth to make up excuses, but he closed it again. No. No. That wasn't right. He had just been speaking to Arthur! He had rushed right after him!
"It's only been 20 minutes at the most. I was just with him." He was shaking his head in disbelief, eyebrows furrowed as he wondered why Lancelot would be lying to him. "I was just with him!"
It was Lancelot's turn to look confused. "Merlin. It's almost sundown. You left to warn Arthur well before noon." Sundown? He looked almost bainfully at the sky, seeing the streaks of purple and orange hues beginning to fill it.
"No." He said again. This wasn't possible. He had just been with him.
"Did you fall asleep?" Lancelot asked, bitterness gone from his tone as he stared at his friend in worry. "You did look exhausted this morning."
"I didn't fall asleep!" True alarm was in his voice by this point as he backtracked his steps. Arthur had left him, he had laid in the bed for a few seconds. The bed...had he really fallen asleep? "I don't remember..." He trailed off, rubbing furiously at his eyes as he berated his mind. How could he have lost so many hours! How could he have been so stupid as to fall asleep! The thing was, if he had fallen asleep it had obviously not done him any good because his mind felt more muddled than before.
"Merlin it's alright. If you couldn't even keep your eyes open than you were in no position to go after that thing anyways." Lancelot soothed, walking over and placing his good hand on his shoulder.
"It's not alright!" Merlin exclaimed, giving in to the fact that he must've fallen asleep in Arthur's bed. "If he gets hurt because I was such an idiot...if he..." The word 'dies' got lodged in his throat, practically choking him as he rubbed at his eyes again. What was happening to him?
"It's getting dark, they should be back soon. I'm sure Arthur and his knights are fine." He tried to reassure, but it did nothing to help Merlin's mood.
"If that's so than why were you running after them?" He asked accusingly, looking at Lancelot's horse which was all packed. His mind was still a jumbled mess, and his stomach throbbed under all the mental and physical strain.
"Merlin." He soothed yet again, turning this time to wrap his arms completely around the boy, hugging him tight as he rubbed the back of his head. "You need to calm down. I'm going away for a few days." The sorcerer stiffened, and Lancelot squeezed tighter. "Neither one of us are in a position to fight this thing right now, least of all you. I'm worried about what it's doing to you, and we both know it's not right that you can hear it in your head."
Merlin let himself be held, his chest heaving with breath as he struggled to calm himself. In this state it was not easy to comprehend anything Lancelot was saying. "Why are you leaving then?" He asked against his neck, struggling to wrap his mind around why the knight would want to leave if he was worried for him.
"Information." Lancelot answered, a smile in his voice. "I'm not sure, but I think I heard a story of something like this before. I must ride out to see." He pulled away, holding Merlin at arm's length with his good arm. "I swear to you I'll be back in a few days."
Merlin nodded methodically, feeling as if someone had scooped out his insides. Hadn't Arthur just said the same thing? Would they both end up breaking their promises? "I'll try to distract Arthur here to make sure he doesn't go after the thing again. I don't want it to kill anyone else."
"Least of all your Prince." Lancelot commented with, eyes giving Merlin a knowing gaze that the boy was too exhausted to interpret.
He gave a laugh, rubbing the back of his head. "Yeah, least of all that prat, but it would be nice to have you make it through the fray as well."
Lancelot smiled, teeth glittering in the last bit of sunlight shining in from the stables. "That's nice to know." He reached out, ruffling Merlin's hair. "Get some rest. I'll be back in no more than three days." He turned around, hopping up onto his horse and sparing Merlin one last parting look before riding out.
Merlin briefly considered hopping onto a horse and riding out after Arthur, but then he thought about what Lancelot had said. Arthur would want to have his men in by dark, no matter if they had found the trail, and if he went out after him there was a very real possibility Arthur would see him, and then he would have to explain why he had disobeyed his express orders not to go near the thing. No, he would wait here, and if Arthur wasn't back before the night was out he would rush out after him and filet that creature if it harmed a single hair on his head!
He trudged back up to the castle, barely managing to lift his feet as exhaustion came at him from all sides. He did need to sleep, but before that Arthur had told him to clean up his room. He didn't even want to know how crabby the prince would be if he came back only to find Merlin had disobeyed his orders. He could be a real brat sometimes.
The moment he was back in the room, he turned to the bed, glaring. It was the thing's fault...it had to be. He knew for a fact that it was made entirely of goosefeathers, and was just entirely too soft and tempting for its own good. If that bed's amazingness had caused Arthur to be hurt, he would take great care in shredding the thing himself. As a matter of fact even if it didn't he would probably suggest to Arthur that he get a new bed on principle alone, that'll teach the thing when it's burnt to smithereens, because that's what he would do when Arthur no doubt made him dispose of it.
Leaning down, he scooped up a pair of Arthur's boots, wincing in pain as it jarred the gash across his abdomen. He walked over to put them in the cupboard, methodically picking the rest of the room up and making his way over to make the bed. He smoothed out the sheets, even going as far as to fluff the brat's pillow, sitting on the edge as he stared out at the slowly setting sun. Worry eating at his insides.
He wanted him back. He had never worried like this before, and if Arthur walked through the doors right now he would give him a million nights to ravish him if only it meant that he would never leave him in such a state again. His body slumped, laying on the feather pillows as he struggled with his eyelids. He hadn't fallen asleep. He hadn't. He had been in the room, then he had gone after Arthur, and then he had run into Katherine. Where had all his time went? His head was lead, and he knew he couldn't move it now even if he wanted to. Every ounce of energy had been drained, and he lost the fight with his eyelids as they drifted shut and he fell deep asleep in the Prince's bed, dreaming once more of Arthur leaving him, and Katherine...waiting in the midst of the wild flowers.
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Hands...they were everywhere. This was the only thing he could discern as he fought sleep, feeling warm calloused hands from too many hours of sword fighting slip up his shirt, ghosting over his wound, only to travel much more intimately up his chest. The other traveled further down south, past his belly button, to instead toy with the ties of his pants.
"Arthur?" He asked sleepily, earning a kiss on the back of his neck as he became more aware of his surroundings. He opened a bleary eye to see that he was bathed in darkness. How late had it gotten? He was laying on his side, a warm body spooning behind him that didn't stop its hands from wandering now that he was awake.
"You're asleep in my bed Merlin." Arthur whispered, a strange huskiness to his voice that had never been there before. "It's a good thing you're the only one allowed into my chambers, or this could have ended badly had you been caught." He said it in a somewhat scathing tone, but as more kisses were placed along his neck, Merlin was sure he wasn't really mad.
"I'm sorry Sire." Merlin replied automatically with, trying to wash off the sleep as Arthur's hands began to untie his pants. "What are you?..." He trailed off with, feeling heat wash up his entire body as he felt the hardness pressing into his back.
"Your promise." Arthur whispered in his ear, taking it in between his teeth as he lightly bit down. "I have slain the dragon, and have now come back to ravish you darling." He teased, allowing his hand to slip into the front of Merlin's pants, grabbing him and making the sorcerer arch back instinctively, pressing back into Arthur as the blond gave a muted hiss.
"You killed it?" Merlin managed to gasp out, feeling himself harden underneath Arthur's skillful touches.
"No." Was the bit out word, and the hand in the front of his pants retreated. Allowing for both of them to sit up in the bed. Arthur sounded severely disappointed, and Merlin recognized the tone as the one he used when he had failed to slay anything in a hunt. "I couldn't even track where the thing had gone." He mussed up his hair by running a hand through it, and Merlin noticed how he wasn't wearing a shirt. "It must have gone further away than I figured, but I didn't want to risk camping out tonight, so we will have to ride out again tomorrow."
He opened his mouth, about to protest all the reasons why they shouldn't ride out tomorrow, or the next, or the next, but a hand covering his lips stopped him. "Not tonight Merlin. As I'm sure you can ascertain I'm not entirely in the mood to discuss such things, but I was in the mood for something else entirely." He grabbed Merlin's shoulder, yanking him towards him and grabbing his ass with his other hand, hoisting him into his lap so that Arthur's hard cock was pressed underneath him, and his was once more in Arthur's hand as the Prince stared at him in lust.
"Arthur..." He didn't know if he was protesting or begging, but he was sure the prince wouldn't listen to either. His fingers reached the hem of Merlin's shirt, pulling it swiftly over his head, and as soon as his face emerged Arthur's was attached to it.
He kissed him almost brutally. The soft almost hesitant kisses from the morning long gone. His hands worked desperately at his pants, trying to rip them off Merlin while the other was still seated a top him. "Sire..." Merlin practically laughed, ignoring the cross look Arthur shot him. "I don't think it works that way."
He probably shouldn't have said anything, because with an 'oomph' Arthur had tossed him off his lap to land on his back at the foot of his bed, the other wasting no time in crawling on top of him, long fit body sliding in over his, and suddenly Merlin couldn't breath.
"I'll have you tonight." Were the lust spoken words, Arthur's eyes darkening to an almost midnight blue as he examined the practically naked body underneath him. Slinking both hands into Merlin's waistband, he pulled, allowing for the loose fitting trousers to come past his knees, and with a little maneuvering from both of their parts, fall to the floor forgotten.
Now it was Merlin's turn to blush. His body felt hot as Arthur scrutinized him, and he felt his hands sneak down, covering himself up as Arthur's eyes landed on an area he really didn't want him to look. "For being such a loud-mouth, back talking, brat you sure seem to be shy Merlin." Merlin's breath hitched in his throat as Arthur slid down, kissing him all the way down his body and coming to rest in between his thighs. "So innocent...just like that unicorn." Merlin didn't know if he wanted to scream, cry, or moan as Arthur grabbed at the hands covering himself and pulled them away, making them instead come to rest in blond hair. Trying to pull him away as Arthur stared now at his dripping member. "Maybe I will claim a hunting prize yet." He mused to himself.
"Arthur you don't have to...you shouldn't." Merlin tried, hand tangling in his gold locks and trying to pull him away. Arthur's face shouldn't be there, mouth tilted open as he stared at his most intimate parts. A hand slowly stroked him as a warm pink tongue came out, lapping at the cock whilst never breaking eye contact with his servant. He would have screamed right then, really he would have, but he had enough sense to cover his mouth with his hand, still trying to pull the blond away with the other.
Arthur's tongue slid along his length, using his hand to cup Merlin while he did so. Smirking devilishly at him as his lips parted, and he took the head into his mouth. 'Oh. My. God' Merlin mouthed, back arching into that willing cavern. He was bent crooked into a backbend, and Arthur reached up, pushing at his abdomen to force his body down. But at the added pressure onto his wound Merlin couldn't help but yelp, pain lashing up his spine as he moved to grab at his stomach.
"Oh shit Merlin..." Arthur sounded apologetic, leaning up to turn sympathetic eyes towards his manservant. "Well you know I didn't mean to, right?"
"You're sadistic." Merlin growled, keeping a good hold of his stomach as he glowered at the blond.
Instead of dampening Arthur's spirit, it only seemed to increase the want in his eyes, and he grabbed him, tugging him forward as he claimed his lips. He used his free hand to undo his pants as well, and Merlin peaked through the kiss to see just what the Prince had to offer. "Excited are you?" He jibed , heart not in it as he watched as Arthur placed his own fingers in his mouth, sucking heatedly at the digits.
Arthur didn't say a word, just letting his fingers come out with a wet 'plop'. Merlin never looked away. His eyes were heavy lidded as the Prince brought the hand down, reaching in between Merlin's legs as he maneuvered them so that Arthur was once more on top.
"I need you to relax for this part." Was the soft spoken command, and yet it held Arthur's normal chiding tone. Merlin jumped as the fingers touched his entrance. Arthur fumbled skillfully in the dark as he pressed against it, leaning down to place one kiss on his shoulder before pushing in the first finger.
His entire body spasmed, tightening around the finger as the uncomfortableness shot up his spine. His bit his bottom lip, digging into it until he was sure it was bleeding. Covering his face with his hand as Arthur pushed further in.
"Honestly Merlin, can you not even take directions in bed right? Relax!" Was the strained out hiss in his ear as Arthur added another finger, lips kissing along his neck to try to calm him. He added a third finger, scissoring and stretching as his hand came to Merlin's neglected length. Stroking in time as he thrust his fingers in and out.
"Arthur!" ...Merlin was no longer uncomfortable, or at least not in the painful way. He was squirming incessantly underneath Arthur, who seemed to be amused as he stared down at his face. Removing his fingers, Arthur used his free hand to turn Merlin's face towards him. Staring down with dark captivated eyes.
"I need you to answer something for me." The prince said, and Merlin was sure in this state he couldn't even answer his name, let alone any sort of more detailed question. Yet, when Arthur removed his fingers he couldn't help but nod. He would sing if it would get Arthur to put them back in.
"Please..." He moaned, brow creased with sweat as he leaned up trying to kiss Arthur's lips, only to have the prince turn his face to the side.
"Greedy." Arthur teased, smirking a cat like grin as he gave his member another stroke. "I want to know, not that is makes any difference, I'm just more curious really..." He rambled, and biting his lip, Merlin tried with every fiber of his being to focus on his face. "Would you have..." He stopped, obviously having a hard time spitting it out. "What I mean is. If you hadn't promised to do this earlier, would you still want to?"
He had to think on the question, honestly not knowing why Arthur would ever ask him such a ridiculous question. "Are you serious?" He asked back, staring up in shock at the blond angel that now looked almost insecure, which was strange because Arthur never looked insecure. He didn't answer the question, so Merlin reached out, placing a hand at his cheek as he leaned up and placed a soft kiss on his lips. "You dolt, don't you know I'm hopelessly in love with you?"
Arthur kissed him again in almost urgency, expressing everything in that kiss that he could never say. Everything to let Merlin know that his confession hadn't been a mistake, or maybe it had, but it didn't feel like it now. The blond repositioned himself, and Merlin gasped as the head of his cock was placed at his entrance, and with one last kiss Arthur pushed in. Impaling himself all the way to the hilt.
Pain lashed up his spine as the blond entered him and he clamped around him, wrapping his legs around his waist, and burying his face into his neck. He whimpered, and Arthur stilled, face contorting with the effort. "Merlin. Relax." He bit out through clenched teeth, pushing in a little more as Merlin nodded against his neck.
Arthur withdrew almost all the way, pushing in again and hitting something deep inside of him that made him see stars. His toes curled and the candle behind Arthur's head flared to life, shooting up almost to the window as he gasped in both pleasure and horrified surprise. The Prince looked at his face, examining it to try and see what had caused the outburst, but Merlin tried desperately not to look at the now lit candle behind him. Determined not to give anything away as Arthur pushed in again, starting a regular rhythm that sent him into a withering mass underneath him.
Their bodies were slick as they slid together, mouths meeting in a sticky mess. Pleasure was coursing through his entire body, and when Arthur's hand came back down to his neglected member he was sure he would lose his mind. "More...please." He didn't know what he was begging for, only that whatever it was he wanted it desperately.
Arthur smirked, leaning in and whispering things so dirty in his ear that even with everything they were doing it still made him blush. The flame was growing behind him. It kept getting bigger and bigger with the more effort it took to contain himself. He was moaning unabashedly beneath his lover, clinging desperately to him as Arthur began to thrust at an almost erratic pace.
His nails had dug almost painfully in Arthur's back, and his eyes had widened. Not only because he was close to his release, but also because the closer he got the bigger the flame grew. It was almost licking the ceiling by this time, making the whole room glow, but thankfully Arthur had eyes only for him.
Thrusting right into his sweet spot, Arthur pushed so far in Merlin was sure they had become one. He leaned in,biting at his ear and the same time whispering, "Cum for me, my darling." It didn't take anything else for Merlin to cum after that, shooting stickily between both of their bodies as Arthur continued to thrust, coming soon after and causing a silent scream to escape Merlin's lips as he felt the warm flood inside of him. The Prince's exhausted body collapsed on top of him, clinging to his body as they both panted from the exertion. The flame behind him had quelled down, before finally blinking out as if it had never existed at all.
Pulling out, Arthur rolled off of him. Turning to lay on his back beside him as they panted in the bed. "Look at that Merlin...we finally found something you're good at." He only laughed when Merlin let his arm fly out, smacking the Prince as hard as he could before falling back into exhaustion.
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