A Marriage that Started a Legend

by IJustShowedUp

Follows canon but with my own arranged marriage spin on it. What happens when Hunith makes a mistake and is forced on the run with her infant son? What happens when Camelot knights find her twenty years later? What happens when Arthur learns he's betrothed to a peasant boy? Will Merlin be able to stand among royalty? Will these two different boys survive each other? Review!

96. Chapter 96

Hey ya'll! This chapter is dedicated to Calamity_Talvi, who helped me embellish and flesh out more with the return of Merlin's once broken chest, and his reaction to it. Which will continue on into the next chapter, so have fun with that ;p

X

Things had ended pretty much after Uther passed off his orders to the knight's. With nothing left to say on the matter, people started trickling from the room to get on with themselves. The other knight's who were not on the 'releasing Gwen duty' practically fled from the room as fast as they could. Arthur had a feeling it was so they could be the ones to spread the news on the sickness ending, to as many people as they were able to before the king made a proper announcement in the next day or so. It would definitely give the men the 'fifteen minutes of fame' they looked eager to be getting.

Morgana was the next to leave, sounding more girlier than Arthur could ever remember her sounding in her entire life. Maybe he had mistaken it, but he was sure the sound that just came from her mouth could have been a squeal…since when did Morgana squeal over anything? In another time, Arthur probably would've stopped her just long enough to make fun of her. The sight of Morgana's unbidden excitement wasn't what she usually showed, it may have been fun to give her some good teasing over it. But Arthur also found that he wasn't in the mood, and decided to leave her be about it. He would just have to make sure to get her during the next go around, should this whole horrid affair ever happen again.

He still watched her with a steady eye when she was making a pit stop by Merlin, and Arthur felt his lips as they tugged further down. Stupid Merlin had turned his back to him, the fucking idiot. How was Arthur to excess whatever damage the knights may have left on him, if the boy kept his back to him? He couldn't even see his arms now! He knew he should've bloody taken off the knight's hands when he'd had a chance to do it. But now they were gone, and Arthur was left wondering whether or not he should just storm over there and demand Merlin lift his sleeves so he could see if they left any marks. He knew, the consort was liable to give him that 'I'm stupid and have absolutely no idea what your saying even if your speaking basic English', complete with a head tilt, frowning lips, and a crease of confusion in his eyebrows. Merlin would look like a puppy, and nothing like one of the many hunting dog's Arthur was privy too. Arthur figured, he would probably have to grab onto Merlin's arm again and roll up the sleeves for himself to get a glimpse at all that pale skin, to know what he wanted to know. It was the only way, knowing that Merlin would be only complaining about Arthur asking.

Stupid boy should be grateful Arthur was trying to get more involved after what had happened in the caves…

Something inside of Arthur gave a jolt when he saw that Morgana was leaving, hurrying out of the room as she tucked up her skirts so she wouldn't trip over the fabric in her haste to get down to the cells. But, it didn't really matter to him that Morgana was leaving, she should run off and distract herself. It was going to leave more time for Arthur to be give the consort a proper inspection over his arms, just to make sure he didn't have any marks that Arthur himself hadn't give him…Arthur wasn't going to punish Merlin properly if he had to see another's man marks on his flesh. The prince wanted to be able to look Merlin over after he was done with him, and see every single bruise, and welt, and mark, that had been left behind by him. To see Merlin whimpering and know he was the one that reduced the boy into a mess once he was done with him. But then…he saw Merlin leaving, trailing behind Morgana at a much slower pace than before.

No…Arthur thought, taking a step forward without his realizing it. Merlin couldn't leave him yet. He could go and see Gwen later, once she'd been freed. She was still going to be in the kingdom, so Merlin would have ample opportunity to visit her in a few days. After the prince was done with him, first. The thought sent this heat of surprising pleasure shooting down the length of his spin, so surprising that he stopped walking as it took his breath away. It…the idea of sending Merlin to Gwen after he was done with him made something in his belly twist sharply. Knowing that Merlin would be likely to sit down if he was going to stay awhile to talk to him…knowing Merlin would be more distracted by him then his talk with Gwen…imagining all the way Merlin would twist and squirm and wince on his seat as he struggled to keep focus. Merlin wouldn't sit for long, the welts Arthur left on his bottom would be the constant reminder of 'who owned him' that the other boy desperately needed. Even Gwen might ask him if he was alright, concerned by the bits of pain showing on his face as he tried to find a comfortable position for himself to sit in. But he wouldn't be able too, the prince would have done a 'through' job of it. He knew there was no chance he would allow Merlin to leave the room without making sure the consort would be covered in a layer of flushed, raised, welted skin. So deeply red, not even a hint of his original skin color would be able to peek through until it started to heal.

A hand came down on his shoulder, hot and heavy on him and so sudden that it made him jolt in surprise. It forced him from his thoughts, it left Arthur almost off on his feet-dizzy-in a way. But then, the only thing he found that could steady him was the sight of his brat leaving the chambers. Disappearing out the door and leaving him behind, leaving to go to parts unknown to force Arthur to chase after him. The prince knew that he had 'never' been the type to chase after anybody else. If people wanted to see him, they came to him, not the other way around. But Arthur felt this sudden compulsion that almost overtook him, urging him to move forward. To track down. To hunt. To prove that no matter how hard Merlin may try to hide, he would never be able to hide from Arthur.

"Arthur," his father said behind him, and Arthur nearly lost his composure at the king's presence. The blond had been ready to snap at whoever thought it would be a good idea to touch him when he was distracted by what he was going to do to Merlin. To snap with a harsh abandonment at the moronic man who thought he could distract Arthur, allowing the prince to watch Merlin leave before he could make his move. But the words died in his throat, drying up before he had any chance of sprouting them out…of course, his father would be the one to come to him. The one person he had to stand here and listen to without complaint…

"Yes, father?" Arthur finally asked, dragging his eyes away from the closed doors to look at the king. Now …this was something new. Usually, when Uther took the time to address him, Arthur was all ears. He took everything his father would say to him as if it was the gospel, listening to any advice he could give him, or trying to nick-pick at his words to see if there could be anything he was able to do to be better than he'd already been. Pushing himself to almost an inhuman level, just to please his father. But now…all the blond could feel was an impatient shifting in his belly, that was telling him to go before Merlin got too far away from him. Arthur was an impatient man, and he was wanting to punish Merlin tonight. Not later.

"I just wanted to say that you did good." Said the king bluntly, looking as if he hadn't just forced Arthur's full attention onto him. It wasn't often the king would say something like that, but it was rememberable exactly because of how little he said it. Arthur did spare one more glance towards the door-as if he hoped his brat knew things were going to get so much worse for the boy if he made Arthur track him down, and was going to be waiting for him so he could get it over with-but Merlin didn't know he was going to be punished. The doorway remained closed-before turning back to his father.

"Thank you, father." Arthur said, more stiffly then he would usually be. By this point, the prince would've been doing everything to stop his father from how he was practically shaking in his boots with excitement at the acknowledgement. But Arthur found it hard to keep his concentration, his hand twitching rapidly at his side, and he had to resist the urge to stop tapping his foot against the ground. His father knew the signs of impatience, and would not be pleased thinking his son was trying to get away from him. It wasn't a thing like that! Arthur wanted to talk to his father. Now just wasn't…the best time, was probably the kindest way Arthur could have put it. "The beast wasn't nearly as hard to defeat as it tried to make me think."

Which was a bloody lie. Arthur had fought tooth and nail against that thing, had nearly lost Morgana's life on several occasions, and…don't even get Arthur to start on Merlin right about now. But Arthur knew his father, and knew it was better to make it sound as if it was no sweat. His father didn't want to hear just how much of a struggle it had been, not unless he'd been gravely wounded during the fight. If Arthur bore no injuries, then it always sounded more impressive to the king if Arthur played it off like it was no big deal.

The king took Arthur's word at face value, nodding his head once without asking anymore questions. He did not check in with Arthur, did not ask more follow up questions on how he was doing, if he was sure he did not need to see Gaius…little things that would've made Arthur feel more like his father cared about him personally. And not just the same return of his heir to the throne. But that was okay, Arthur didn't need that stuff. He wasn't a child.

"Yes," Uther agreed, squeezing Arthur's shoulder just the once before dropping his hand down to settle by his side. "And while that is very impressive, defeating the beast and saving our kingdom-our people will be celebrating you now, more than ever-" Arthur wanted to point out that none of it would have happened if it was not for Merlin, the same man Uther had tried his best to get arrested. Arthur would have never known about the beast, would have never gone down there in the caves in the first place, would have never been fueled with pissed off rage if Merlin hadn't taken off on his own, and would have never been able to finish the beast if Merlin hadn't yelled at him to use his own torch as a weapon. Stupid, but genius in it's own very weird way…but Merlin was still going to get punished when Arthur got to him. He couldn't allow for Merlin to think this continuously running into danger was a good thing, or that he would ever be allowed to do it again without severe consequences. But Arthur kept his mouth shut, knowing it would only keep his father talking if he tried, and that wasn't good for the harsh impatience thrumming through Arthur. "But what I'd meant was how you dealt with your consort."

Those words made Arthur stiffen, like a tight coil just waiting to snap because of too much pressure being pushed on it, "W-What do you mean?" Arthur found himself stuttering unceremoniously. Stuttering would always be an unattractive trait in a prince, but Arthur did not care at the moment. His mind was running off in a million different directions, trying to quell all the bursting panic trying to make his way out of him. His father always seemed to know everything, did Uther also know what Arthur was planning on doing to the consort once he found him? He could possibly…he'd always kept those kinds of thoughts tightly inside of his mind, not letting it out for even a second. Not for real…not even Merlin knew of the things he would be doing to him. It was exciting, thinking of things like Merlin trying to find a comfortable person when he was talking to Gwen, because that meant Arthur was going to be firmly on his mind even when he talked to her. But it was entirely different for his father to get in on it…it only made Arthur cold.

"Well, just now." Uther said, nodding his head to the spot in the room where Merlin had been held captive by the knights as if he was still there. He talked as if Arthur should know exactly what he meant, but not even Arthur could understand what went on inside of his father's mind. Staring at the spot himself, Arthur could only turn back to his father with a heavy frown on his face. Uther seemed to recognize his son's own confusion, and waved a hand. "The way you told the knights to let go of your consort, putting a hand onto your sword and everything. That's exactly the kind of things I was talking about with our earlier discussion. Perhaps not exactly what I was going for, but I think it really sent a message."

And Arthur still had absolutely no idea what the king was going on about, although he felt a tingling in the back of his mind. Something nagging at him that told him he should have known exactly what the king was talking about. It was there, scratching around directly in the recesses of his mind, but no matter how much he poked and prodded at it…he couldn't actually get it to come forward. It had something to do with that brat of his, but…when didn't everything seem to be wrapped around Merlin in one way or the other. Like black leather ropes curling themselves around Merlin and squeezing at his slim wrists…maybe Arthur might have caught some of Merlin's crazy-but if Arthur was going to believe all the things Merlin had been going off about earlier, claiming Gaius had lied for him and whatnot, then…Merlin wasn't really crazy at all?-if he wasn't about to stop these thoughts even during this tiresome moment.

"What I told you to make the boy think he's in love with you." Uther said, being a bit more blunt than he had been earlier. Arthur looked at his father sharply, feeling as if he had just been doused in cold water. It had been a conversation he didn't want to revisit any time soon, when his father had told him it was best if he did something to make Merlin think he had grown feelings for him. After all, a boy that was happy in his life, wouldn't have any reason to try and steal away their kingdom right out from underneath them. The prince had basically forgotten all about it once they started deal with the sickness. "You jumping into it with the knights made you seem protective. Merlin is a soft boy. Idiotic, but soft. He will probably eat that stuff right up."

And Arthur could do nothing but nod mutely, looking as if he had just swallowed a lemon. His father had seen the way Arthur had jumped in when the knights first grabbed Merlin…but, of course he had. The king rarely missed anything, especially if it was playing in front of his own eyes. But, that…that wasn't what he had been doing at all. He hadn't been going along on the fucked up plan his father had briefly concocted up a few days, how could he? He'd forgotten it had even existed until all of two seconds ago. Arthur had only been acting instinctively when he'd stepped in on those knights, even if he hadn't actually managed to do anything more than fuss at them. Merlin was a fugitive, after all, even if it was nothing but a bunch of crap to begin with. But, Arthur wasn't going to let his father know any of that. If Uther wanted to think Arthur was doing it for the plan, then Arthur was not going to argue against it.

It was better than Uther knowing how obsessive the prince had grown in the last week alone, how much worse it has gotten with every single second that had passed him by and he still didn't have Merlin bending under his will…

Uther left him behind after that, walking across the room so he could converse with Gaius who had been waiting for him. Arthur took the chance while he was able too, and stalked out of the room as fast as he'd been able to without drawing attention to him. Arthur had a boy to catch up too, after all…

X

Arthur discovered it wasn't nearly as hard to find the boy as he thought it would be. It was actually far too easy, once Arthur had taken one moment to stop and take a breath and think about it logically, instead of just rushing ahead and hoping he could catch Merlin before he reached the dungeons. Once Merlin was in the cells, they would have Gwen there. And Morgana. And other knights. There would have been absolutely nothing in the way of privacy. Arthur suspected that Merlin would put up a fight against him, and he also looked like a screamer. Arthur couldn't exactly drag Merlin-sneaking up behind him and slapping one of his hands over Merlin's mouth, wrapping the other around his body from behind and pinning his arms down so he couldn't fight him, before dragging him into the shadows. Where he wouldn't be seen until Arthur was done with him-away from all of this if he had an audience.

But anyway, as he was thinking, it wasn't nearly as hard to find Merlin as he thought it would be. It was obvious that Merlin's first step after leaving behind the chambers, would be to get to Gwen. Who was in the dungeons. Arthur knew this castle like he knew the back of his hand. He knew every entrance and he knew every exit. Every twist and turn, every little hall hidden away and meant for the servants, even every abandoned hallway that nobody used anymore had been carefully carved into his brain after the years he had lived through them. So, yes. It took him maybe a few minutes at the most to find himself right outside of the dungeons, staring at the closed door that led down into the cells.

Uther and Arthur's conversation hadn't taken all that long. If Arthur was right, then Morgana and the men she'd left with would have probably already been in there. She knew the passageways just as well as he did, and knew she wouldn't have wasted any time to get down to Gwen as fast as she could. Even though Merlin had left right after her, he didn't leave at the same time she did. Merlin, Arthur figured, wouldn't have been around here long enough to know any of the faster routes. Arthur would have offered to show them to him somehow-he figured Merlin, who had always been over emotional about everything, would probably enjoy it-but that would involve spending more time with him. And the only time Arthur wanted to see his face was when the prince was taking time to whip him into submission.

Any other time…Arthur just wanted to know Merlin wasn't doing anything to embarrass him.

Unless he had timed this all wrong though, he knew Merlin should be showing up at any minute now. The prince doubted Merlin planned on just skipping what he thought would be a reunion to Gwen. So, the only thing he needed to do was stand here and wait until Merlin showed up…Merlin was going to get far more worse than what Arthur was planning during the first session, if he made the prince wait for him for long. It was a travesty that Arthur had to wait at all! A prince should not have to wait for his consort to get his own arse into gear.

The very first thing Arthur did was plant his back on the door, leaning against it in a very casual-I just like to lean here, there's nothing weird about that-pose. It was a good thing the door didn't open in, because he would have fallen straight down forty steps should a person decide 'this moment' was a good time to get out of the cells. Arthur crossed his arms over the top of his chest, tapping his foot on the floor as he grew more important for Merlin to show up. But the longer it took, the more doubt started to creep in as Arthur's rational mind started to kick in.

What if he was about to make the biggest mistake of his life. It couldn't be any worse than his decision to actually marry Merlin, but…this was something just as big and probably even more nerve wracking then saying 'I do' was. Arthur could literally feel the sweat building on the palms of his hands, and he was quick to tuck them in his pits, trying to look as casual as he was able too as he rubbed them against the fabric. It really was different from marriage…Arthur didn't have a choice when he had agreed to marry Merlin. It was either that, or lose the kingdom. Arthur wouldn't have known what to even do with himself if he had lost this place. Or how he would deal with his father blaming him for it, because Arthur couldn't suck it up and get himself hitched to a man. But he had…and now they were here. And Arthur had another choice laid out in front of him. To beat Merlin's arse, to live out one of his many fantasies, or…let him be. There was nobody pushing Arthur to do this, nobody who knew what he planned to do, or what he wanted to do. Arthur could walk away right now, and nobody would be the wiser.

But…Arthur jolted against the door when he saw the boy in question making his way down the hall. Merlin didn't seem to have seen him yet, his head was low but he was making steady process towards the cell doors. Arthur whipped his head around, because it had seemed like such a great idea during the heat of the moment, but now that it was so close to coming true…all over again…Arthur could only remember the last time he had tried to do this, when he had thrown Merlin onto his desk face forward and raised a hand to spank him. It had felt so good in the moment, the prince had lost himself for a second there. But then Merlin had smashed his nose in, and Arthur had gone and broke out in a cold sweat…had sworn to never touch Merlin like that again.

He'd touched him since then, wrestled him around when Merlin had deserved it. But it hadn't had any of their usual 'weirdness' thrown into the mix. The blond had just been pissed and taken what he could out of Merlin.

And here he was now…about to break and start this all over again. It had barely been half a day since he had sworn to never touch Merlin again in that weird way, and here he was contemplating how he would do it.

But it was too late to chicken out, because Merlin was now looking up. Arthur knew the second that the consort saw and recognize him, because he watched the way Merlin's face seemed to go hard, shoulders stiffening as if he was already gearing up for a fight. Arthur darted his eyes away, wondering if he should just walk away, there was nothing weird about that. It surely wouldn't get questioned by Merlin, right?! Or…should he still…Arthur found himself split between the two decisions, as he darted his eyes back to the consort. Merlin had stopped walking entirely, glaring at Arthur from a few feet away.

"What do you think you're doing here?" Merlin asked, in a rough tone, that had Arthur bristling immediately. It didn't matter to Merlin though. As far as Merlin was concerned, Arthur had absolutely no business being in this part of this castle at this moment. Gwen was supposed to be surrounded by friends-though Merlin wasn't entirely sure if he counted as one, considering he had kick started this whole thing off-not by other people who had condemned her without a thought to it. Not by people like Arthur, who would rather waste all the time in the world pushing against him, instead of just working with him. "You shouldn't be here."

Merlin would have thought Arthur would be off doing his own celebrations. He had saved the kingdom, got the credit, and Merlin's sorcery had gone unchecked in the grand scheme of things. Whoop-de-do, happy fucking ending for all, and all that jazz. Arthur could go and do whatever rich people did when they would get a clap on the back. Invite all those bullying knight friends of his to some kind of wild party-or maybe all these nobles were too stuffy for a real party, and the celebrations they did involved a lot more class. More boring talks about things nobody cares about or will remember in the morning. More showing off all of the wealth their daddies had given them. Not standing by himself outside of the place keeping Gwen hostage, as if he was some kind of stalker. Because make no mistake, Merlin knew enough about Arthur to know the prince hadn't came here for Gwen.

He had came here for Merlin.

To start up the same shit he always started up when they had to get together for one reason or the other.

Merlin wasn't in the mood for it.

"What do you mean I shouldn't be here?" Arthur was demanding before he could stop himself, the spark of defiance that always shone in Merlin a good reminder as why he had to punish Merlin. It was that defiance that always got him into trouble, and told Arthur he'd failed with keeping Merlin on the straight and narrow around here. This was his home after all, long before it had included Merlin in it. And the boy didn't have a single right to tell him where he should and shouldn't be allowed inside of it. "This is my bloody castle." He took a single step towards Merlin, not to do anything to him, not yet. But he still did it to get that one step closer…maybe he would be able to grab onto Merlin by distracting him the only way he knew how: trying to start a fight with him.

Only…

Merlin took himself a large step back before Arthur could get any closer to him, leaving them to have the same distant between them. Merlin didn't like himself when he dropped his gaze down onto the floor, even if he still felt Arthur's burning gaze on him. He had to force himself to swallow before he was able to talk at all, "Then you should know, this is where she's being kept…" still talking more to the floor than he actually was to Arthur. He was uncomfortable again, probably getting more overwhelmed. He didn't want Arthur to touch him again, didn't want to be risk being touched by anybody…Merlin knew he would fly off the handle completely if Arthur tried right now. He had the cloak covering the majority of his body still, but that didn't stop him from wrapping his arms around himself and digging his own fingers into his biceps.

This was him…

He was touching himself…

It wasn't Arthur…

It wasn't one of the many knights…

He just needed to breath and remember…

Nobody was touching him.

Nobody was getting in his space.

Nobody was controlling him or telling him what to do.

Nobody was…

Not yet, at least.

Arthur must have seen the shifting going on under the cloak, because he frowns harshly, remembering what should have been the first thing he did, "Did my guards rough you up too much?" Arthur had gotten distracted before, with thoughts of 'should he do it or should he not do it', but this would probably be what decided it all. Arthur would not touch Merlin if he had marks on him from somebody else. Arthur wanted to be able to watch his own marks blossom across the paleness of Merlin's flesh. He couldn't do something like that if his eye kept being drawn to finger shaped bruises decorating his biceps in an unattractive light.

But of course, if he did find marks, he would have to send some kind of message to his guards that all of this 'rough housing' was unacceptable. The guards in question who had done it, would die from exhaustion after Arthur forced them to ran an all day training for a week straight. And Arthur's sessions were known to be…particularly brutal, on the best of days. Having to throw two people who had wronged him straight in the mix…let's just say, they would probably wish they were dead by the time Arthur had finished with them. But of course, Arthur needed to see the damage for himself, before he could decide how pissed he was about it.

Merlin finally dragged his eyes off from the ground to look at the prince, frowning deeply because he didn't understand the question. Was the prince making fun of him right now? Because he knew Merlin had been helpless, unable to use his magic to fight against it as he was manhandled, and having no physical strength of his own to escape the situation. Merlin wasn't able to resist, daring Arthur to try something but knowing he did not want it at the same time, "Why do you ask me that?" Merlin's lips twisted into a mockery of this bitter smile. "Are you upset that there are others who attack your plaything?"

Plaything…plaything…plaything…it's a word that only upsets Merlin, even as he's the one that brings it into their next spar of wards. Words spars…that would be something Merlin could do with ease. Something he knew how to do, something that didn't leave with the prince touching on him. But he can't bring himself to relax around the familiarity of bitterness that always coursed through his veins nowadays. Because their word spars always ended up with Arthur touching on him in one way or the other, rather to control him or to throw him around…it didn't matter. Just a brush of Arthur's finger against his arm would have been too much for Merlin at the moment. But…Arthur seemed fixated on himself being the predator. And while this was unfortunate for Merlin, what was even far more unfortunate…was how Arthur seemed to see him as the prey. Always pushing into Merlin's space, always acting as if he could kill Merlin with a simple snap of his fingers if he wanted to. He didn't even have to do it himself. He could just snap his fingers and get one of the many knights who hated him to do it for him.

Valiant called him a plaything, when he had caught Arthur pinning Merlin, one of the very first times he had done it, when Merlin had found it exciting in this strange way…now it just left him nauseated. Knowing better, the kind of man Arthur is, then he did then.

There was a moment of silence where Arthur said not a word, the prince didn't think he could talk if he had tried. He could feel the flush starting to work its way up his neck, turning his cheeks a light pink. The other boy hadn't exactly been all that far off, and to hear it being said so plainly was doing something odd to his insides. Plaything wouldn't have been the exact word he would have used for himself, but it wasn't exactly wrong. Arthur did plan on treating Merlin like he was a new toy. Playing with him until he decided that the boy had enough. Tuning Merlin's body as if he was a fine instrument that needed to be moved 'just right' before it started playing the way Arthur would want it too.

"Oh…my…god…" Merlin felt his jaw drop open a bit as he watched Arthur's cheeks darkening its pink shade underneath his stare, growing darker and darker due to Merlin's explanation. This…this was far worse then Merlin could have ever thought of. He was an actual toy to Arthur, an honest to god toy. That Arthur was apparently thinking he could play with as he pleased, and then put him back on the shelf until the next time he was inclined to pull him out. "Are you serious right now!"

Merlin almost forgot his reservations about being near the prince right now. He wanted to take his own hands and shove Arthur against the wall, he wanted to be the one to show Arthur he would not be played with. Valiant had treated him like a toy, expecting for Merlin to go along with kissing him like some kind of cheap date. Arthur was doing the same thing, it was only his flavor of choice was trying to force Merlin to get into weird positions he didn't want. And wouldn't ever agree with on a normal basis. Merlin might not be rich on his own, he might not have his own bloody connections to well off people, he might not have the fancy position he didn't get through marriage, but it did not mean Arthur could treat him like…like…Merlin wasn't sure if there was any word he knew that could describe the travesty Arthur may have thought Merlin was.

Merlin tried to go around Arthur, eyeing the door that stood behind the prince. He knew he would probably try to punch him again if he stood here, and listened to all of this crap. But Arthur stood directly in the way and Merlin knew he would have to touch him-to push him-out of the way if he wanted to get past him. That was something Merlin wanted to avoid, as if his entire life depended on it. He didn't even allow his hands to come out from beneath the cloak, knowing the blond was very likely to make a grab for him at some point. Merlin didn't want to make it easy for him by giving him something to grab. To touch. To abuse…like the playing he was. Plaything's didn't have emotions, or feelings. They were just dolls…it was no wonder the prince thought he could do whatever he wanted and get away with it. If he saw Merlin as nothing more but a simple doll.

"Wait, wait, wait." Arthur said quickly, feeling as if this was spiraling out of control. He held his hands up, as if to indicate for Merlin to 'stop', but the consort was quick to step back. Merlin eyed Arthur's hands as if the two pieces of flesh were nothing but a wild, crazy animal. Perhaps a wolf, rapid and starved, who would go much further than treating Merlin as the plaything he apparently was. A wolf would eat him, regardless of Merlin's pleas not to be touched. But at least…the consort could comfort himself with the idea of a wolf only doing it because they needed food. Unlike…the prince…who would chew him up and spit him out like horrid leftovers that had been sitting out for a week if he let him. Merlin surely felt like leftovers, the kind of leftovers that were spoiled and sat around with a job to 'look pretty'-though Merlin doubted Arthur could see him as 'pretty', more like ugly…Merlin certainly did feel ugly when Arthur was around pushing him to his lowest-until it had been left along for so long, that it was no longer 'pretty'. Just rotten. "Don't leave just yet."

Arthur eyed Merlin, making sure the boy wasn't going to run off like a skittish deer. But no, Merlin wanted to see Gwen. So Arthur was fairly confident that the boy wasn't going to make a break for it. But like a skittish deer, Arthur couldn't just attack him without the deer itself-or Merlin in this case-running and disappearing into the foliage. If Arthur had been hidden before the boy saw him, he might have a better chance if he did try to jump him. But it was too late for such things, as they stood eyeing the other. If this was a deep, then Arthur might have slowly put down his weapon, while trying to make himself look as harmless as he would be able too. Arthur would stretch out a hand, to allow the deer to make the choice to come to him, with her nose out as she bumped it against the grooves of his palm. It would be calming, allowing Arthur to pet slow along it's head, and down the nape of his neck. And it would never see it coming, when Arthur made a very quick snap of his hands, the deer falling to the grass with it's neck broken. Merlin was the deer, and Arthur only needed to calm him…so he would never see the hand covering his mouth until it was far too late for a decent fight.

"You…you did save my kingdom, and the lives of my people. So I feel as if I should thank you for that." the prince said slowly, though this wasn't wrong. It was a tragic thing for Arthur to have to admit-and his father would wring his neck if he knew Arthur had stooped so low that he was thanking somebody who was born a peasant-but this was all apart of the bigger plan he was concocting. To ease Merlin into a false sense of security, so he wouldn't look as if he was so on edge by Arthur's presence. Although…Arthur was a prince, he should be able to take care of his own people with no help from outside sources like Merlin. "I probably should have listen to you, instead of wasting our time with pointless fighting."

Arthur kept a steady eye on Merlin, trying to figure out what the best way to do this would be. He knew already he would have to grab Merlin and drag him to his rooms, he would need to take the servant halls to get him through undetected. So the next step would be…locking them in his room. But what would Arthur do next…he didn't exactly have any whips on hand at the moment. Or ever. It wasn't something he needed on a daily basis, as he rarely fooled with them. That was before Merlin though. Arthur supposed he could get Morris or somebody to fetch one for him, but he wanted to keep something like this a secret. It would only cause people to talk if they saw Arthur given a whip. And there was no telling what Morris would see when delivering it to him, and Arthur refused to allow even Morris-his trusted manservant-to see a hint of what Arthur planned to do. Morris might see Arthur in various states of nudity throughout the day, but there were some things that would need to remain private, between a man and his consort only.

"Yeah, you should have listened to me." Merlin said in a blunt tone, not buying Arthur's sudden grace for a second. The Arthur he knew would never thank him for a damn thing. Not unless he wanted something from him. Only, Merlin had nothing to give him, so he was a little loss with what Arthur was doing. Though, Merlin was waiting for the other shoe to drop, waiting for Arthur to give him another horrid memory. He saw the prince taking a small step forward in his direction and Merlin didn't hesitate to take a step back. Arthur did it again, and so did Merlin, over and over again till the two of them started going in some kind of fucked up circle. Almost like a dance, a dance between their worse enemy. Merlin didn't care how much of a huge coward it made him look like, but he wasn't going to do anything that gave Arthur the chance to put not even one of his slimy, disgusting, fingers onto him. "I did it for Gwen anyway, not for you."

Honestly, Merlin half-way wanted to see the entirety of this kingdom being burned to the ground. All the people who had wronged him, or abused him, in one way or the other, forced to scatter with the winds. A city like this needed to start anew, where all of those bigoted people were driven out, forced to live within the woods and savage for their own food. Forced to live like the barbarians Merlin knew them to be. And Arthur…Arthur could find somebody new to put his hands on. Could find somebody new to torture with his very presence. Could live a life with somebody in the world who thought Arthur's 'princely status' was enough to allow him to put hands on them. And, the consort was pretty clear Clarissa would be the first in line to volunteer. Merlin didn't care, as long as it was no longer going to be him.

"Yes…for Gwen." Arthur said slowly, smiling at Merlin, though it felt more like he was baring his teeth then it was an actual smile. Arthur was being generous here, trying to show Merlin with a few compliments to give him a relaxing moment before he struck, but the only thing his consort had done was thrown it right back in his face. Like Arthur might throw a pair of his dirty shorts at Morris' to take down to the laundry room to get cleaned. That disgusting, uncouth little boy…why Arthur hadn't taken a firm hand to his backside yet, it was a mystery. "You wouldn't want to misunderstand, and think you wanted to play hero. No, it was for only selfless reasons you threw yourself into battle."

Arthur's brewing thoughts grew darker, and far more concrete now that the moment was almost upon the two of them, unbeknownst to Merlin. Arthur couldn't get a whip delivered to him room, not unless he had one ordered and brought to him weeks before he was trying anything on Merlin. That would give it time-for the few people who would have to know about it-to have their curosity's dying down. And not connect it to any of the dots when Merlin started spending this endless amount of time in his rooms. But this would also only be their first session, and if everything went okay, it would open the doors to many times in their future. Arthur couldn't afford to have his excitement get the best of him, they would need to start off with something smaller. So Merlin could get used to being punished, before Arthur worked his way up to the big stuff, when he knew Merlin had developed a tougher skin and would be able to take it.

"Playing hero? Is that what you are going to call it!" Merlin demanded, stiffening his shoulders and having his chin raise a little higher in defiance. Though there was a part of him inside that got stuck on the second part of what Arthur said. Merlin wished he could say he was selfless. He wished he could say he'd done all that he'd done this week to save this city. How, it did not matter what they did to him, he'd been practically going through hell to save them all because that was the right thing to do. But it would have been a lie. He wasn't selfless. He was selfish. He didn't even try to save Gwen because he knew she wasn't the one who did the plague. He had done it because he knew he'd never be able to live with the guilt if he tried to ignore it, and pretend it wasn't happening. Pretend he didn't do it too her…and that made him selfish. Because he had only been worrying about how this would effect him… "You sure weren't saying that when I was the one saving your arse!"

Merlin knew the prince didn't know it was him that had forced the torch to light, and explode across the monster's clay body. But Arthur did know that Merlin was the one who told him to use the torch in the first place. So, this felt like it was something safe to say, it was something-probably one of the few things-that he figured wouldn't incriminate him. Arthur may have worked as his alibi against Uther, but Merlin doubted it would still be a good alibi if Arthur himself was able to put the pieces together. But then again, Arthur didnot seem that bright. Merlin had already screamed at him-and everybody else in the council room-that the sorcerer was him. Arthur would probably need more than a misguided word to realize what Merlin was. If only Merlin was safe…but safety had been gone long before he was even born.

"Saving my arse?" Arthur repeated dryly, and he let his eyes drop down to where he knew Merlin's wrists would be. But his own cloak was still hiding him from Arthur's sight. Something small…Arthur could always substitute a whip for his belt. Not to hit Merlin with, it was too thick and the rough leather would no doubt leave marks they weren't ready for. But he could use it to tie Merlin's wrists together, it would be just snug enough for Merlin to not be able to wiggle out of it. It would leave light marks, enough to remind the boy of what had happened. But not so deep that he'd need a cream or something to prevent permanent scars on the flesh. Arthur didn't want to scar him, he'd want to watch the skin healing and knitting back together as the days pass. Until it was clear, and Arthur was able to start fresh with a clean canvas of skin all over and over again. Arthur would probably have no choice but to make due with his hand, it wouldn't have been the prince's first choice, but he couldn't deny that it was an interesting idea. More personal, drawing yelps and cries from Merlin with just his own body, and not with an instrument or tool. Merlin would have to be close for him to reach, over Arthur's lap would probably be the best case. With Merlin's head hanging over to the floor, it would hike his arse up and give Arthur plenty of space to work with. And with Merlin situated there, it would give Arthur to check his arms for any marks from the knights for himself. "You wouldn't have had to do anything if you had stayed where you were."

Merlin was running into caves to face dangerous and unstable beasts today. He had got himself caught in the crosshairs of a psychopath last time. Arthur was almost too scared to ask what would be happening in the upcoming days, if this trend would continue. This was why Arthur was so adamant that Merlin have his punishment now, instead of walking free as the blond had been allowing so far. He needed to nip this right in the blood, before it grew so far out of control, that not even Arthur would be able to contain it.

Merlin looked away, a muscle inside of his jaw started to twitch as he clenched his fists tightly underneath the safety of this horrid cloak, "I did what I needed to do." He said quietly, voice barely heard over the quiet that was already around him. He just had to hold onto that, was talking more to himself than he was talking to Arthur. Arthur could curse him, and call him stupid, and could touch him…even if it would cause his very limited mental capabilities-maybe he really was crazy as everybody kept telling him-to crack. Until he was irreparable. Merlin was a liar, nothing but a dirty and manipulative liar, using Arthur for his own needs. For his alibi. But he would do it again and again, as many times as he needed too…Merlin had to worry for his own self. And for Gwen…and even though the young boy knew Arthur wouldn't care, it didn't stop himself from trying to be heard. "Gwen is just a serving girl to you, and to everybody else around here. If the truth had been discovered after Gwen had already burned, nobody would care. She would be seen as nothing at all, except for being his one more casualty on the war you people have got going on against magic. There's got to be somebody…anybody…who can stand up for the people like Gwen, who doesn't have a voice…"

This was nothing more than pipe dream to Merlin, to have something in his life that would give him some kind of purpose again. Back home, his hands were needed as an extra set to help with the harvest, that was something he knew how to do. But here…all he did was sit around on his arse and wait until they had something going on and needed his presence for the 'perfect happy Royal family' they were so consumed with make them look like. And people like him…one of the many that were looked down on for their property status. They didn't have anybody to advocate for any of them. How many of the people had died under the king's rule-how many of them weren't even sorcerers to begin with. How many were like Gwen, accused of something they didn't do and made to reap what the consequences were. How many of them were like he was, sorcerer's but innocent. Content to practice the craft they had in the privacy of their own homes, and somehow ended up in the crosshair's of the king. He knew, if he ever ended up in the cells-always a risk in his life-then he would want somebody to fight for his freedom. He doubted anybody would…but it was the nicest thought.

"…People like Gwen do too have a voice." Arthur said in a defensive tone, as if he was trying to defend his home. But Merlin only stared at him, looking as if he had no interest in this game of pretend that went on between them all the time. Merlin 'knew' people like Gwen couldn't speak up, people like him were meant to fade into the background or allow other people to stand on their backs so they could have the spotlight nobody else below them was worthy enough to have on their own. Arthur huffed as he saw Merlin's look of displeased, and raised a hand to run it roughly over his blond locks. If Merlin was already upset over this, then he was really going to be upset once the blond got his hands on him. Arthur's eyes drifted away only for a moment, to look at the door leading to the cells, before turning back to Merlin, "Maybe, while you're down there…you can tell Gwen I'm sorry that all this happened to her?"

It was a struck of brilliance on Arthur's part. He was not going to get into politics of all things, with Merlin. Obviously, Merlin wouldn't understand the carefully constructed ways Camelot ran. He didn't understand the class differences that kept commoner and nobles forever separated by the thin divide. Arthur felt what happened to Gwen was tragic, but they'd been able to catch it on time. And Arthur knew now to pay more attention when things didn't fit exactly in place. But it was not something Arthur was going to wast his day stressing about. He had made a mistake, and now he could correct it with whatever came next. Gwen was going to live, and…Gwen was the key to having Merlin relax. For some godforsaken reason, Merlin had gone and gotten himself attached to the girl. But maybe, if Arthur for Merlin talking about her, the consort would not realize Arthur was creeping closer until it was far too late. With the way Merlin was watching him now …Arthur would never get a hand near him before he'd take off.

"I think…that's something you should probably tell Gwen yourself." Merlin finally said, rolling that over in his head. It was a little strange that Arthur wanted to have him apologize on his behalf, maybe it was some kind of 'you're my consort and should fix every single one of my mistakes for me, while I sit back on my ass watching'. There was so many things Merlin had still been finding himself confused when it concerned the whole 'consort' business, so that very well could've been in. But Arthur wanting to apologize at all for any reason at all…that was making every single one of his senses go haywire. Arthur refused to acknowledge it when he was wrong, even when Merlin was there and witnessed it. But he would apologize to Gwen…it was not sounding right to him. "I'm not going to go acting as your messenger."

Merlin figured on some off chance that Arthur was being serious about this, then there was no problem with him doing this on his own. Unless there was this 'prince rule' that stated specifically, 'princes should not ever be made to apologize, for any reason or for any circumstance' that Merlin didn't know about. But knowing how fucked up this kingdom was, he would not be surprised if it was stated in the 'how to be the worse prince known to man' handbook. And maybe Arthur thought he could get around it by just having Merlin do it. It was a thought, but…Merlin doubted it was that. Arthur would probably leave today, and not once think of what had happened here today, leaving the wreckage of what could have been in his wake.

Merlin darted his eyes towards the door, figuring that it was his only escape from this awkward situation. It was pointless in him being here. He didn't want to be here. He didn't want to entertain whatever weirdness Arthur was going through. He didn't want to talk with him. He didn't want to see him. Now that Merlin had gotten what he wanted from Arthur, it was time to get the prince to live his own life, and Merlin would be far happier doing the same. Somewhere among the odd 'dance of walking around a circle' if one dared to call it that, they had stopped. And Merlin was now closer to the door then he had been before. Merlin wanted to be down there, to be in the cells, to unite with the handmaiden and watch her take her first steps out as a free woman. His foot slid backwards, slowly easing himself towards it. He knew how Arthur was, he knew the prince would jump him if he thought Merlin didn't care to be here. If Arthur wasn't done with him, then Arthur would stop him. It was as simple as that. But maybe Arthur wouldn't follow him if he acted quickly enough. Maybe even Arthur would let him go once he got into the cells…or maybe Arthur would follow him anyway and lock him down there in one.

Before leaving him to die as the poison inside of the cells tried to drain him for all that he was worth.

"Wait!" Arthur blurted out, his hands outstretched as if he was about to grab Merlin when the boy tried to take another casual step back. It was sudden, and it was loud. Merlin jolted in surprise, tethering on top of the short three steps that led to the dungeon door. It was lucky that the prince was too far away, his hands unable to reach Merlin's body. But Merlin still stared at them with wide eyes, trailing his fingers along the digits. Counting all ten fingers did nothing in the least to calm Merlin down, and his nails dug deeply in the soft skin of his palms. Arthur wasn't touching him. It was okay. Arthur wasn't touching him. Nobody was touching him. It was just…Arthur… "I have something for you!"

Merlin jolted again, head snapping up to look away from Arthur's digits, and to the prince himself. Arthur looked almost surprised with his own outburst, Merlin rolled this around in his head slowly. Arthur…he had something for him? That…didn't sound right. It had to be some kind of trick, right? What exactly did Arthur mean when he said…something. Maybe this was just Arthur's way of saying-surprise!-the something I've got you is another attack. The consort couldn't have been less 'on guard' then he was now, examining the words from every angle. The last time the prince had given him something he couldn't return…it was likely the stupid ring Merlin had yet to take off of his finger. If it was anything like that, then Merlin didn't want it. But then again…Merlin didn't want anything from the prince.

"Like…a present?" Merlin said slowly, the uncertainty and 'WTF is he planning' leaking out of his voice. The consort allowed his eyes to wonder over Arthur's full body, trying to figure out where he would be hiding a thing like that. It had to be pretty small if it was on his person, good god! He hoped it wasn't something like gold again, surely Arthur had learned his lesson that last time, when Merlin had thrown the entire pouch at the back of Arthur's big head. Unless Arthur planned to take him to it, then he would have another thing to fight about. Because Merlin wasn't moving from that spot. Arthur would have to touch him-drag him-and Merlin would end up looking like a freak when he had no choice but to start flipping out on him.

"Yes!" Arthur explained, relief flooding him as he felt his shoulders sagging when Merlin was the one that said the word filtering in the back of his mind. "A…a present. That's exactly what it is." When Arthur had seen Merlin stepping away from him, he knew he had lost him with the 'Gwen' conversation. If anything, he had only pushed Merlin further away, considering he kept glancing back at the dungeon doors. But Arthur had a present involved now. Merlin hadn't liked any of the other gifts he'd given him-the gold, offering to have whatever he wanted sent to his room that one time-but he might appreciate the mystery of surprise waiting for him. Something secretive, to keep Merlin in place.

"…I really don't think I want anything from you." Said the consort. It didn't actually matter what it was, as Merlin knew he already wouldn't like it. Arthur could have…could have…could have gotten him a case full of brand new neckerchief's, and Merlin still wouldn't like any of them. Because it came from Arthur, and Merlin doubted the prince even knew enough about him to know that Merlin would always appreciate a new neckerchief. He would just end up having to give whatever it was back, though hopefully Merlin would not be compelled to throw it at his head…oh. Whose he kidding, Merlin was always ready to throw the very first thing he got his hands on at Arthur. "Maybe you should just give whatever to somebody else. Hey, I'm sure Clarissa will appreciate it, so why don't you try it on her."

Clarissa's name slipped out of Merlin's lips before he had even realized he was saying it. But it wasn't like it wasn't true. Arthur had a tendency to offer Merlin all of these big, extravagant things he didn't want. And it was always things that had some kind of price tag attached to it-you can have this Merlin, but you have to promise to never try getting a job again. You can have this Merlin, but you have to promise to go away to get it. And they were always things he saw Arthur having no trouble snatching away from him if Merlin stepped out of whatever imaginary line Arthur had drawn in place. Clarissa would probably enough all of it though. She was used to the extravagance, and the prince had plenty of it to spare on single women who flocked to his rooms.

Arthur gritted his teeth down sharply, feeling it when the edge of Merlin's gift-hidden away in the inside of his coat-jabbed roughly against his chest. He'd been feeling it every now and then, a heavy presence that was just waiting for him to give back-though it's been far too easy to forget about it, considering everything else that has been going on, "Will you just let that go, already!" The prince practically snapped at the other boy. That would have to be another thing Arthur had to make sure to snip in the bud. Every single time the boy uttered her name, would result in an automatic spanking, until he learned not to speak of it. Because Arthur was pretty sure they were going to end up in their eighties-if Arthur didn't kill him first-and he was still going to be hearing about Clarissa. Arthur shook his head agitatedly, "That wouldn't work anyway. It's made for you specifically."

Even if Arthur wanted to, there was absolutely no way he would be able to give this present to anybody other than Merlin. It had literally been tailed to him, to the things he wanted. Nobody else would understand what Arthur was trying to do, if he just gave it to any old person off the street. Hell, they might even start considering him cheap, since this wasn't anywhere near his usual flavor of choice. But it was probably the only thing Arthur had that Merlin wouldn't turn down, so…it would be a much better distraction. The prince doubted Merlin would even see it coming.

Arthur opened up his jacket, and reached into that large pocket, before pulling it out and holding it out to Merlin. Merlin isn't reach out to take it, the other boy only stared down at it with that dumbarse look on his face. For some reason, Arthur suddenly felt a lot more nervous than he did before, and it had not one thing to do with his plan to grab Merlin. What if Merlin also didn't like the box Arthur had taken the time to have fixed and prepared for him? Merlin was looking at it like it was a snake, about to rear up and strike him down right where he stood.

Arthur shook the box at him roughly, the items inside of it rattled around and bounced off of the other little contents he'd had placed in it, watching Merlin jolt a little at the sudden sound, "Well, aren't you going to take it?" He demanded gruffly, pretty confident that nothing inside had cracked or broke due to his rough handling. But that was the least of his problems. The prince was looking like a moron, offering Merlin quite the generous gift. A gift he knew Merlin was actually going to want to have! A gift he had taken measures to make sure was fit for a Royal! Even if some of the belonging's inside were…questionable…it was all still there at least. Or most of it, if Arthur had forgotten a thing or two.

"If you want me to accept something, you shouldn't be an arse about it. It's no wonder you hadn't gotten married by the time I got here." Merlin grunted under his breath, and watched Arthur scowling at him. But Merlin didn't care, already darting his eyes right back to the box. Merlin wasn't exactly enthused about this at all, but he couldn't deny he was curious. This…was not what he had been expecting. But, before he was able to talk himself out of this-and acknowledge how this was probably going to end up being the dumbest idea he'd ever had-Merlin was snatching the box out of Arthur's hands. He made sure to grab the side that Arthur wasn't touching, even a brush against skin on the side of his finger would have been far too much for him. And then he was backing up against the top steps to put some space between them. Merlin kept a careful eye trained on Arthur, and when the prince didn't do anything that made him want to scream, he looked back down at the box in his hands, "…What is it?"

The box in Merlin's hands looked vaguely familiar, as if he had seen it somewhere before, but he wouldn't have been able to tell where. He ran his fingers along the top of it, tracing them lightly across those green leaves sticking out of the full, blooming white flower decorating the lid. It was much fancier than he would have preferred, and he already knew he was going to turn it down. But…Merlin bit down harshly on his lip…why would Arthur give him a box? This probably was a trick, some kind of taunt? Arthur had destroyed one of his boxes already, so why would he give him a new one? Merlin's hands clamped down on the box, trying to stop his hands from shaking. Did Arthur want to go and relieve that horrible moment? Did Arthur plan to slap it out his hands or something, and crush it just as he had crushed his other one…? Did the prince not know how absolutely cruel this was to him…

Arthur had taken a step towards Merlin, seeing this distraction as his chance, but the second the words had left Merlin's lips, he stopped, and stared down at him, "…Are you bloody kidding me?" He demanded in a harsh tone. And Arthur could see the way the other boy was biting down on his lip. Arthur was suddenly found torn between two choices: once the blond was starting to mark Merlin's backside-on places where it could easily be concealed by clothing brushing over the wounds over and over again-he wouldn't have a choice, but to use Merlin's neckerchief in-between his teeth so he wouldn't bite on his lip. It would be regrettable, since Arthur had been looking forward to hearing those screams-not muffled-as he worked on him. Merlin would ruin his lips if he tried to bite down to muffle himself, though it would have been funny to watch Merlin scramble as he tried to make excuses for it, to anybody that asked. Or…he could reach out right now and grab Merlin's chin between his fingers, and pop the bottom lip out from between his teeth. It would be best to train that habit out of Merlin-he was either going to scream or not, but he wouldn't ruin up his lip by doing it. "Maybe if you opened the thing up, you might figure it out." The prince pointed out, with a gruff tone as he jabbed his pointer finger down at the box in Merlin's hands.

He was still going to grab him, but he figured it could wait until Merlin actually knew what he had. He could allow Merlin to have a happy moments, before Arthur dragged him away to his doom

Merlin did, hesitate and slow, wincing as he heard the solid click of the lid being undone when he pushed it up. His heart was beating so fast out of his chest by the time he perked inside of the box, half expecting to see any number of odd horrid items inside of it. It was almost lackluster when nothing shot out at him or something, but it was no less shocking when it did finally register to him what he was seeing, "W-what is this?" He asked shakily. Merlin moved the box so that it was perched on one arm, and reached inside with the other hand, pulling out the Arthur doll first. It was looking just like the one he had, or did have…it even flopped over in his hands like the first one did.

Merlin dropped the doll back in the box, and shifted through all of the stuff hurriedly, moving everything all around as he checked it out. It…it looked to be all here. The doll, a pouch full of pins that would be-all too soon-finding a home inside of the doll-Arthur had once thought they were voodoo supplies. But here it was, returned to him proper. There were the little jars of herbs from these different plans that would remind him of home, the scents coming off of them would've relaxed him. But now…it seemed to have the opposite effect, his anxiousness growing so high, it was only a miracle he hadn't dropped yet. And Merlin picked up the last item, the folded purple cloth that he had cut to have only Cenred's kingdom embedded across the cloth. It unfolded in his hands, revealing Camelot, in all of its former glory. And Merlin clenched the cloth in his fingers, crumbling the corner of the fabric he was holding as his hand nearly shook. This…this was horrible, and his chest felt tight, and…why did Arthur do things like this to him. What would he have to gain from ruining Merlin's belonging's.

"Well, what's it look like, idiot!" Arthur said, waving a hand down to the box Merlin was holding. This only made Merlin clench down harder around the box, as the hand has came far too close for comfort, leaning so far back, it was a miracle he didn't fall down that small staircase behind him. Arthur didn't behave as if he noticed, and nodded down to the box situated in-between Merlin's hands. "This is so much better than that piece of crap you were holding onto during that last time! I mean, it's still the same box, but I had the Royal carpenter fix it up all nice and pretty for you. It is now something you can walk around with, and not be embarrassed by what a travesty it is! It's still not up to the stands I would have preferred, the only gold in it is the hinges, I would have at least put some kind of golden flakes on it to up the value if it was me, but it probably would have looked too different. I can still get that done if you want, you can show it off to all of your friends now too. Show them what your husband got you!"

Arthur was bragging on himself, feeling as if he had done something good. Hell, maybe he wouldn't even have to drag Merlin off to his room. Maybe the other boy would be so grateful for his generous gift, that he'd walk there all on his own. Climb over Arthur's lap without having to be tied up or forced there, before allowing Arthur to do whatever he wanted to him, as some kind of demented thank you. It would probably be embarrassing once Merlin started showing off his box-since it wasn't nearly as extravagant as a prince like himself would give to somebody, and he knew he could do so much better if Merlin would just accept a few other things from him-but he wasn't too worried about that right now. He didn't understand Merlin's aversion towards his wealth, but…this was obviously something Merlin wouldn't be able to turn down. All pets deserved a treat once in a while: for figuring out what the beast was and all that. But pets did need to be disciplined as well: for running off into danger.

"You went into my room!" Merlin interrupted, before Arthur could start on another tirade bragging about how he's the 'master of the universe' or what not just because he had done the bare minimum. Merlin was steadfastly ignoring Arthur's last comment-the one where he said Merlin could show it off to a bunch of his friends. It was like Arthur didn't realize Merlin did not have friends. Well, he had Gwen and Morgana as friends, but Arthur would not want him talking about this box to this. Merlin had a list of things he could've said about it, and nothing was what Arthur wanted to hear. Without hesitation, Merlin dropped the cloth in the box and snapped it closed with a loud clicking of the lock snapping back into place. He raised the box up to eye level, looking at it from every different little angle to see if there was anything about it that stood out. Now that Arthur had said something, Merlin was able to see it. He had thought Arthur had just gotten a brand new duplicate to replace the one he'd broke, not gone into his room-his safe space-and grab the old one. But he could see the little nicks and scars he recognized from the older box as he looked closer at it, covered and coated over by a thick layer of fresh paint to hide them. "What…what the hell, Arthur!"

Merlin had been damaged, not for the first time and not for the last, when the box incident had first been happening. He'd shoved his box on the top shelf of his wardrobe and had refused to look at it since…he wouldn't have even noticed it was missing for who-knows-how long, because of the pain Merlin found he was associating with it. But Arthur might as well have just taken a rusted blade, before taking his time to slice through the muscles and skins and veins that covered Merlin's stomach. Sliding the knife roughly up his chest towards his heart, blood flowing freely as Merlin was forced to endure the blade. Arthur had opened up his old wound all over again, making the pain feel as fresh as it had the first time Arthur had broken his original box. Merlin was sure, by the time he returned to his room, he wouldn't be able to see anything without imagining it being tainted. He could almost imagine Arthur rifling through his things, and leaving behind his stench on everything he touched. Was it just the wardrobe Arthur had dug through, or did he touch his nightstand as well? Kick his clothes on the floor out of his way?…Would he even be able to sleep tonight? Or did Arthur also touch his bed for any reason? Would Merlin be able to smell if it he did touch it?

Arthur's smug smile dropped in an instant, looking at the consort in utter shock by his anger. He knew that the boy was an odd sort, and hadn't taken kindly with any other gift Arthur had given him before. But Arthur had thought his little 'pet project' he'd been working on would have been the winner. Something that was enough to get a grin out of Merlin, something his own father had suggested he do-the idea of what exactly should be done his own, of course, something easily enough to obtain that Merlin would follow along with whatever he wanted. In the hopes of receiving more gifts like that. Not something that Merlin would snub his nose at, more greedy and ungrateful and hard to shop for than any girl Arthur had ever met before in his entire life.

"What…what are you so bloody mad for!" Arthur said in a harsh tone, clenching his hands tightly into fists at his sides. He could feel the anger stirring anxiously inside of him, his blood pumping faster and faster in his veins. The only reason Arthur hadn't grabbed the consort and planted one loud smack onto that little pert thing he called a backside, was because of how opened this area of the castle is. And anybody could walk upon them if they were heading in this direction. Merlin could say he didn't want Arthur's riches or his connections or whatever, but Merlin needed a smack to show him when he was being ungrateful. Just one smack across the bottom, a firm reminder so that the consort could have a chance to correct this behavior of his. "You pitched a fit when you broke this stupid box of yours! I took the time to have it fixed up! And you should be a little more grateful for it. I didn't have to do it, you know."

Arthur figured Merlin needed to be reminded of that little fact. He didn't have to do one thing for Merlin at all, all of the extra he's been given as of yet was only because of Arthur's good graces. And as long as the two of them kept their animosity toward each other out of the public eye, Arthur could take whatever he wanted away from Merlin with only a snap of his own fingers. So why, did Merlin, continue to behave as if he had all the cards in the stack against Arthur. But it was probably Arthur's fault this had gotten so far out of hand. Merlin was clearly missing discipline in his life, he could only imagine how much of a hellion he must have been growing up.

"Well, I wish you didn't." Merlin said bluntly, watching as the prince narrowed his eyes sharply. But the boy didn't care, he could get as mad at him as he wanted to be. As long as he didn't touch him, as long as the prince explained himself for this ridiculous gift. It was not a peace offering, he wasn't stupid as to think the prince had a sudden change in behavior and was just trying to make things right for him. No, Arthur wanted something from him for this. And Merlin didn't have a single desire to keep the box in the first place, so the prince was shit out of luck if he thought this would be enough to win Merlin over. "This…this is wrong, and it is awful! It's absolutely horrid! I don't know why in the world you thought I would like this! Or why you would even want to give me something at all!"

Merlin did nothing to mince his words, feeling himself reaching the ends of his patience. He shook the box roughly in Arthur's directly, failing to understand why the prince thought this was a good idea. He was able to hear the items smashing together inside, and the consort didn't care if things got broken or cracked or ruined. This wasn't his box, not really. The roughness and the uniqueness of a box that had lived through a hell all its own, had been painted over. It's pain when it formed it's nicks and cracked erased, as if it hadn't ever happened in the first place. It's history gone just like that, made to look pretty for the advances of the others. Just like Arthur was trying to do to Merlin: to make him behave a certain way, make him pretty in a weird Royal way. And erasing the hardships that he'd lived through just to get to this moment. But the box still had it's nicks-hidden and filled in by the freshing coat of paint. They were still there. And Merlin knew, the prince could try to force him into the image that a Royal should have, but…Merlin would always have his own nicks and cracks. Hidden beneath the surface of his soul.

"It's…" Arthur cut himself off, feeling the blush when it started up his neck and headed towards his face. It was usual-when Arthur's face started going red like it was-was because Merlin had pissed him off so badly. It was a telling sign of his raising anger, and a sign for his consort to tread his next steps carefully-which he never did. But this time…the glowing cheeks were the sign of Arthur's embarrassment. It wasn't often he'd get embarrassed like this, so when it did happen, the prince felt it in every pore of his body. "…It's a gift for what you did…finding the beast and all of that…"

The lie spilled off of Arthur's tongue hurriedly, since it wasn't like the prince could tell Merlin what the real reason for it was. Arthur doubted even Merlin would take too kindly to the prince explaining how his own father was getting involved in their lives again, and it was him who suggested Arthur get him a gift to make Merlin think he actually liked him. Right now though, Arthur was really wishing he had ignored what Uther wanted him to do. This had obviously been a badly thought out idea. Merlin was a picky sort, of course he wouldn't want anything. Arthur almost wanted to snatch the box out of hand, and hide it from view to hide his own embarrassment.

"Do not lie to me!" Merlin shouted as loud as he was able to, even Arthur seemed startled by this sudden outburst. The prince would have usually jumped onto Merlin by now and wrestled him into any position he wanted him to be in. But the sting of humiliation was still high, making him question his movements. Merlin even shook the box more roughly in Arthur's face, all of the items banging together and making sounds of glass hitting against glass. "You and I both know you don't just give presents unless your trying to shut me up or something! You even said you had already had it being prepared before I told you about the beast! I am not nearly as stupid as you think I am!"

Merlin finished his screaming with ragged breaths as his chest heaved. He wanted to throw the box at the wall as hard as he could, and rejoice in the crashing of glass breaking and shattering. This wasn't his box at all. It was the sanitized, and Arthur approved chest that needed to die. Everything tainted, as if the blond was the one spreading the disease. But Merlin wasn't able to even if he wanted too, his fingers clamped on it so tightly, the grooves were causing marks across the palms of his hand in ugly lines. Another reminder that Arthur just wanted to torture him. To make fun of him for caring, and mourning over a few measly little possessions. But they were his possessions…he had bought them with money gifted from his mother. And Arthur thought it was so easy to be replaced…what a joke.

"Uh…" Arthur's brain ran wild to find anything he was able to say that would distract the boy. Something he knew wasn't the truth. Anything would have to be far better than admitting his father had ordered him to do something nice for Merlin. Or that Arthur had tried to use the box as a lure to get Merlin to come along with him without a fight. Arthur's jaw went tight when he saw Merlin getting rougher, treating his generous gift as if it was nothing but a plague. "What's wrong with it!" He blurted out, his shoulders coming up in a defensive posture, hunching up towards his head.

Arthur himself had been impressed when he saw the carpenter had been able to return it back to what it's original state must have looked like. It hadn't looked as if it was good enough for spare parts when Arthur had first got his hands on it. Arthur would know next time though, when his father got an idea concerning his consort, that it was best not to listen. Not if that boy was unable to appreciate Arthur going out of his way to give him the gift. Arthur wasn't a man that just gave presents out Willy nilly. People would give him gifts-not the other way around, and Arthur decided on his own rather or not he would accept it. Though depending on what their status was, decided rather or not Arthur denied it in front of them or brought it to his room to have his manservant dispose of it. He couldn't keep everything give to him, it would have only caused clutter if he cared enough to keep any of it.

"What's wrong with it?" Merlin repeated, sounding as if he was incredulous that Arthur wasn't able to see it as the problem that it was. "Just look at it the thing!" And Merlin scrunched his face up to show how much displeasure this thing gave him. Normally, Merlin was a lot more gracious when he got a gift, and thankful to get anything. It came with the whole, we rarely get anything new mentality, that was brought on by living in heavy poverty all his life. But this was Arthur…and it was 'his box' and it was ruined. Ruined. Ruined. "Its nothing like it was when I had it! Before you got your hands on it!"

And Merlin glared at him, laying blame sorely on the prince's shoulders. What kind of jerk thought it was okay to go into somebody's room. Dig through all of their belonging's. Steal something. And then thought it was okay to return it completely different from the way it was. The other box had character! Had spoken of a hardship people around here would not ever be able to understand. And Arthur expected what, to get a 'thank you' from Merlin. To just play along with this weird game, where Arthur acted as if Merlin wouldn't know Arthur wanted something in return. There was not one thing in this place, that didn't come attached to strings.

"…It's just a stupid box." Arthur hissed at the consort through his clenched teeth, once again proving to his consort just how little he understood. If this was 'just' a box, then Merlin wouldn't be so mad. The first one had been broken, it was unfortunate and painful and Merlin had been forced to forget about it when all of this sickness stuff had started spreading. It was kind of silly to still be upset over a box when he knew that Gwen was going through so much worse. But all of it was over now, and Arthur had claimed 'Merlin' as the one who had broken the first one, and was in his face again, and still didn't bloody understand what Merlin wanted from him. Absolutely nothing. "You should be a little more grateful! What is so important about it, I mean, didn't you see what I did! Did you see the doll in there! It's just like the one you had, I even allowed you the pins so you can have your stupid little outlet so you wouldn't stab me with something…again! Do I need to show you it?"

Arthur reached out to take the box from straight out of Merlin's hands, intent on showing him each object inside of the box. There had to be at least something in there that would make Merlin grateful for what he'd done. But Merlin only pulled the box away, pressing it against his chest and looking at Arthur as if he was a nutcase. It was bad enough that Merlin was forced to think about Arthur's taint ruining these failed copycat objects. But to actually see it…to watch the blond as he dug through it…these objects weren't the ones he had purchased himself. But it made Merlin feel more vulnerable then he wanted to admit, seeing the blond playing with his little false pieces of Arthur, and then turning his nose up at them as if they were somehow beneath him.

"You don't have to show me a damn thing." Said the consort, watching as Arthur's hands dropped useless down to his sides, the white bandage wrapped along the palm of his hand where Merlin had stabbed him with the quill standing out starkly. He'd already seen everything he needed too, and he didn't need Arthur to do some kind of piss-poor show-and-tell thing to see what was in it. Merlin didn't need his wounds to get ripped open all over again by Arthur. He wouldn't allow him to ruin him. "And you did not seriously ask me why this box was so important! If you seriously do not understand why people I'm upset about all of this then you are beyond my help. You are not a child. So, I shouldn't have to explain to you why it's not okay to ruin somebody's personal property. Especially when I do not have much to begin with!"

Merlin wished Arthur was a child. At least his inability to think about anybody but himself would have been a bit more understandable. Children were notoriously known for not being able to think past more than the wants and desires of their own. But at least most had been taught empathy, how to lend a helping held, or at least how to keep your hands away from all things that didn't belong to you. Considering Arthur's entire job was to keep an eye on his people, and see to the needs of them, you would think he wasn't so far out of touch with everybody else in the world.

"Of course you have things." Said Arthur, working his jaw over and over again. 'You're not a child' ran in his as if it was on repeat. This wasn't going at all, like he had been planning. He should have had Merlin across his lap at this very moment, Merlin's only thoughts on how much longer would Arthur be spanking him. But it was hard to make a grab for Merlin, when the blond felt as if he had just been doused underneath a large bucket of cold water. Arthur gestured, throwing one of his hands out to indicate everything around them, "You have everything in the world right at your very fingertips!"

Arthur didn't understand why Merlin was being so incredibly difficult, and hard headed about all of this. It was a present! Merlin should have said 'thank you' and followed Arthur to him room like a good puppy would have. Not accusing Arthur of being 'a child', or whatever. Arthur wasn't a child! He understand more about the world that Merlin ever would. It was Merlin who was confusing, and refused to cooperate, and turned his nose up at generous gifts. …It really had been a stupid treat to give Merlin. And to think, the prince had actually thought he'd be happy with it. It would just go to show Arthur, Merlin didn't deserve treats in the future. None whatsoever.

"…This is what you have." Merlin finally said, after he allowed his gaze to wonder all the way around them. The aging stone walls with cracks that had obviously been fixed up and filled in when they got to be really bad. To the rough cobblestone across the floor, that was more of a tripping hazard as far as Merlin would find himself concerned. To the dungeon door, tough and strong behind him with barely a hint of wear that would show how many years it had stood there. They were pretty deep in the castle, it seemed like nobody had bothered decorating the place. No rich tapestry or decorative tables were around this area. But none of it was his. Married or not…Merlin would never try to claim such a horrid place. "None of this is mine. I think you've made that perfectly clear, or have I just been mishearing all this time, about how much you can't stand me."