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!

76. Chapter 76

Merlin really wanted to bash his own head against the walls of the castle hallway he was walking down. He wanted it to be something brutal and quick, harsh enough that-with any luck on his part-he'd be able to knock himself out. And not just knock himself flat on his ass if he didn't do it hard enough.

Gwen had almost figured him out moments ago. He could see the thoughts forming right in her eyes where she had been struggling to make the connection. It wouldn't have taken her very long-Gwen is a smart girl-to come to the right conclusions. She hadn't been quite there yet-or if she had been even close, then she'd only felt the brief glimpse of dawning horror forming in her eyes-before he'd been able to distract her.

By claiming that he was a psychic. Merlin had wanted to hit himself on the forehead for the sheer stupidity that one was. Psychic? He'd gone so far as to claim that he was a psychic! Even if it had been masked as a joke-one that Gwen had even laughed at-but it had been 'far' too close to the truth for comfort. One more suspicious incident in the next day or so…and nothing might be able to stop Gwen from fitting the pieces together.

God! He could even see the fear forming in her eyes. The unsettling fear one might get when their instincts were 'screaming' at them that something wasn't right. That screaming voice inside trying to tell you to get out while you still had a chance. But then you didn't go at all. Because your brain was telling you this different story: telling you that you were just being ridiculous. And nothing was going to happen to 'you' because things like this was something that happened to 'other' people that you hear stories about but didn't actually know yourself. There was no way out of every person on the planet, 'you'-Gwen-would be the one to discover Camelot's-the kingdom is 'known' for their strict punishments on those who use magic-new consort was actually one of those dreaded magic users.

Fuck, fuck, fuck. Merlin should be fucking happy right about now. He should be bloody celebrating at this point! Not only was Gwen going to have many more years to come with her father, but he'd managed to trick his own friend into thinking that everything was good and perfectly-fucking-normal! There was the key word though: tricked. Merlin felt a sour taste in the back of his throat, knowing he'd managed to trick Gwen so easily. He'd gotten better at this 'lying' thing, having come a long way from the stuttering mess he was the day he'd met Uther. When Uther had been rather insisted on knowing rather or not Merlin was capable of magic.

But maybe he was always destined to be this liar. Why not? It was something that came with being a sorcerer. That didn't mean that he had to like lying to her. He had a feeling he would probably be doing it a lot. At least if he wanted to live past his teenage years.

"Consort Merlin! Consort Merlin!" This voice suddenly called out to him from somewhere down the hallway behind him. It didn't matter that Merlin had his back to the voice, he'd be able to recognize it in a heartbeat. And Merlin raised his eyes to the ceiling while asking him self…why me. George had been a footnote in the back of his mind for a while now, actually ever since Merlin had move out. Well, it looks like George had finally tracked him down and all Merlin could think about-ignoring all of his thoughts on Gwen-was how Arthur had been mocking him about having a manservant. The time Merlin had questioned him about Uther, and Arthur had told him to stop being such an embarrassment to him. And how he could not believe Merlin had gone into an audience with his father while wearing his 'rags'.

Or at least that was what he'd heard, rather those were the actual words or not.

"Consort Merlin!" George shrieked again and making Merlin's ears ring before he turned to look. There was an 'oof' sound as George had to yank himself to a stop-still looking more dignified than Merlin ever had any given day of the week-before he ran over Merlin's personal guard-bloody Arthur, giving him a fucking guard! Not that George could have knocked Gregory over-he didn't have nearly enough meat on his bones for that-but that wasn't really the point.

"State your business, Manservant George." Gregory said gruffly, standing between Merlin and George with a stiff posture, hands tight on the spear he was carrying around with him. As if he thought George was about to try jumping Merlin in an attempt to assassinate him. Merlin buried his face in his hands, fuck, was this really his life? Being managed by all these other people. Uther. Arthur. Gregory…

George didn't seem to think anything looked strange, Merlin supposed that must mean it was expected for him to have his own guard-not forever though, Merlin was going to find a way to lose Gregory for good even if it bloody well killed him-because the manservant was straightening up. "I would like to inform the Consort on my completed duties. I would like to give my reported duties to Consort Merlin so he may tell me if there is anything else he would like to have me do."

Fuuuuuck…what is his life. Merlin felt the urge to hit something. Or be sick all over the back of Gregory's shoes. This would definitely be a reason he didn't want a servant. George had been doing work for him? Even when Merlin had ran off to hide with his uncle? And here Merlin thought the guy was probably having a well deserved break without him. And now he was here expecting Merlin to give him even 'more' work to do…he didn't need this kind of stuff on top of everything else he had to deal with. He wasn't meant to be 'anybody's boss or master or whatever he thought Merlin was.

"That is unacceptable." Gregory said gruffly, not moving his position from between Merlin and George. "The Consort is not taking any reports or visitations. He is too busy dealing with more important Consort business, doing his rounds and such on making sure that the ones in the castle are keeping up moral fiber and cannot be halted by a manservant being overzealous."

Forget bashing his own head in. Merlin would take that spear from Gregory and strike down to his chest. Right through the heart ought to do it. This whole 'moral fiber' business must have been what Gregory had decided Merlin had been doing visiting Gwen. Because why else would a consort bother visiting with the serving girl other than to get her 'moral fiber' up, because it was common knowledge that Gwen had been personally effected by what was happening.

Only fifty people had died from the sickness at his last count. It was fifty people too many and the number was high considering it had only been a few days since the sickness had started spreading. But with a city as large as Camelot was, not everybody had been hit the same. Not everybody had families members that cave in to the sickness. It was mostly the fear of the unknown and the lockdown going into effect that was spreading the fear and the panic.

He couldn't have possible been visiting Gwen because she was his friend and he wanted to check in on her. No, no. A consort could not 'ever' be friends with a serving girl. Or it was what Arthur kept telling him. A mindset that apparently extended further than Arthur and his inner circle of knights and family.

George looked positively aghast at the mere idea that he may have been interrupting his consort doing important Consort-like duties around the castle. And the manservant was practically throwing himself down at the waist so hard, his head almost conked against the stone floor. "A thousand apologies, I swear I meant no harm. I will of course, find work for myself to do and anticipate Consort Merlin's every need-" he started backing away from them without looking up to see rather or not he would run into anything. He wasn't, but it was hardly the point.

"Wait, wait." Merlin put a stop to the horrible bowing before George was able to get too far away from them. He put his hand on his body guard's bicep, stopping him from raising his spear just because he thought George might be getting too close to him. "You don't have to go just yet. There's something that I need to discuss with you."

This was probably going to be a very difficult conversation considering Merlin had not once done this before in his life. Had never thought he would end up in a position like this, but it was also something that needed to be done. Not only could Merlin-not-have a manservant because the very idea had disturbed him the first day George had shown up in his room. It wasn't something Merlin thought he could go and get used to even though he'd had these last two months to try…it wasn't working out.

"Oh, Consort Merlin, I will be pleased to hear you out, my Lord." George said in a monotone way that he always did when speaking. It set Merlin's teeth on edge, wanting to shake the manservant this time and tell him to get some damn emotions.

When Merlin had been self isolating himself-when he had hidden himself in his room for over a month before the whole sickness had started up-his main company had been just George. Sure, he'd had Morgana and Gwen and Gaius visiting. But George was always there for the most part, working and doing a bunch of chores around him that Merlin had never even assigned. But things George had decided on his own needed to be done like dusting above the wardrobe or cleaning the invisible dust bunnies under his bed before they even had a chance to form. Merlin had tried-he really had-to make friends with him but…come on! George's whole personality seemed to be about his job and believe it or not, the George in front of him was looser then the one he'd met. But the only time the guy ever 'loosened up' was when Merlin had insisted he stopped long enough for them to hang out. And after five minutes, Merlin had wanted to send him on his way. All the fun the guy

knew how to have was telling jokes about cleaning products. There was only so many times Merlin could stand to hear about 'what did the duster say to the broom' before he wanted to bash his head in.

"Consort Merlin, I strongly advise against this one. You've been around many people today and the prince was adamant about your own protection. He wouldn't want to risk yourself catching the sick." Gregory insisted of him, and not moving from his position. Okay, and George might be able to bore him too death but he definitely wasn't about to bang him over the head with a broom or something. So Merlin was pretty sure he was safe and that the Knight could drop his 'brooding' act he had going on.

Merlin gritted his teeth-Gregory did a good job of 'protecting' him, but Merlin didn't want nor need his protection-as frustration filled him up. "The whole reason for the lockdown is so that the sick people don't get inside and spread it around. So unless George is strong enough to resist shoving the obvious physical signs of carrying it, I'm pretty sure I'm safe to talk to him." Besides, it wasn't like he had any chance of catching anything. The sick was in the water, not the air. People couldn't pass it on to one another.

George might be a bore but he wasn't exactly Superman. He couldn't hide the sick even if he'd tried, nobody could hide it once the blue veins started working it's way up their faces. It was like a blue neon sign screaming 'hey! Look at me! I've got the sick and I'm gonna die soon!'

Gregory's lips thinned because he did not like this breach in protocol. Everybody seemed to be a threat against his consort, and there had been far too many peasants in the mix. There was Morris, and Gwen, and now even George vying for the consort's attention. God forbid if Gregory had to give a report to Arthur and let him know Merlin had gotten ill himself. And it was true, George was showing no signs that hecarried the sickness. That wasn't quite so good enough for Gregory though.

"Have you been experiencing any signs of the sick coming on?" The knight asked in this much gruffer than usual tone. He hand was tightening around his spear in this show of strength. It was clear Gregory would strike his manservant down if George lied to him.

"No, sir." George said in his bland tone and bowing his head professionally to the noble knight in front of him. "If I had, I would have banished myself down to the lower town to prevent my own sick from spreading along to Consort Merlin. Considering how closely our proximity has been to the other."

Merlin brought a hand up to his face so that he could pinch at the bridge of his nose. Was this all really necessary, all he wanted to do was have a quick conversation with George and then be on his way. He didn't need all of the pomp and circumstance, he wasn't that important to need all of this fuss!

Gregory didn't look all that convinced but he grudgingly stepped aside, still keeping this close eye on George in case the manservant made any sudden movements to assassinate the Consort. Merlin rolled his eyes and took George by the bicep, leading his manservant further down the hall so it might feel less like he had a bloody stalker. An Arthur stalker the prince refused to admit too.

"Is everything alright, Consort Merlin?" The manservant asked, frowning dimly when he saw Merlin's agitation. Merlin had let him go once they got further down the hall but the manservant noticed everything. Especially if somebody was displeased with him, and this gnawing in his stomach appeared. "Have you been unsatisfied with my work?"

"No!" Merlin exclaimed loudly, whipping his head around to look at him silently, with this expression of 'are you nuts? What problems could I possibly have with your work?' "Of course I don't!" Because George did do very good work. Merlin's room-before Merlin had move into Gaius-had never been cleaner in all his life. Which was kind of the problem to

Merlin hated too admit it, but even back in his self-isolation, he had done some things just to get a rise out of George. Find out if he had some kind of hidden button that would set him off. Something that Merlin could actually work with. But there had never been any kind of explosion that Merlin wanted, frustration because Merlin was obviously tossing around his stuff for the fun of it rather than just being a dirty person. And okay, sure, George had helped him…a lot. Like when he'd told him all about the custom where it's a consort's job to dress up his knightly husband as this kind of odd bonding thing. Or when he had been whispering tips to him during the meet and greet. And while they had been a great help at the time, it wasn't like he had much at all to show for it. He 'refused' to dress Arthur in his armor anymore. And he doubted he would be allowed in another meet and greet after he'd 'poorly' behaved during the council meeting.

George looked as if he was about to just start blubbering all over the floor. Or as much as a professional manservant like George may just allow himself in front of his master. And that wasn't much at all because George was still looking far more dignified than Merlin would ever look. Maybe he should have taken over the mantle of consort instead, Merlin thought bitterly.

"Well Sir Merlin, I am sure that I would do a much better job if you saw fit too inform me you've been spending your nights down with your uncle's." George said monotone. But hey it got Merlin's head to pop up because it had 'almost' sounded like some dry wit coming from him. And that would be a first. George continued on, "But as it may, I did discover it in the last hour and have been dutifully doing my duty and cleaning the space up. I have all of your cloths washed and neatened, hanging in the small wardrobe. As well as your sheets, even the ones you had hiding underneath the bed. And I've given the room an entire scrub through that it clearly needed. But might I be so bold as to suggest you talk to the Royal carpenter. If you're going to be staying down there for an extended amount of time, I do believe that you should have a proper bed as well as a wardrobe that doesn't wobble. Only the best for our Consort, my liege."

Merlin stared at him, unable to believe that so much had came out of George's mouth long before he needed to take a breath, "You have cleaned my room?" He echoed, his voice had gone up a notch in squeakiness. That would be another good reason for getting rid of the manservant. If Merlin hadn't managed to find the cranny book under the floorboards, then there would have been a good chance he'd stumble across it. And then Merlin wouldn't be having this conversation with George, he would be being tossed down into the cells to wait for his official ruling. Which would have been an execution considering his crime was sorcery.

"Why, of course." George said. "But if only you would tell me what is lacking in my work, then I can quite easily correct it." The servant started listing off different 'problems' he felt Merlin might have with his work when Merlin himself didn't give him any 'definite' answers. "Would you feel better if I use a different type of washing soap for your clothes. Does the one I use now make you itch? Or maybe you don't like the smell…? Or do you not like the way I hang your clothes in the wardrobe? So you prefer that I fold them up and place them in the drawers? Oh, yes. And while I was over there, I did notice a floorboard that squeaked quite loudly by your bed. If you would permit me, I can have somebody come up and have it fixed up-"

"No!" Merlin practically yelled, stopping when he noticed George's startled face. Merlin felt panicky but forced himself to calm down for him to talk calmer. "I mean…no, thank you. I don't think I need anybody for that…"

Merlin could only assume that the floorboard was the same hidden nook he had shoved his magic book into. And he was thankful George hadn't gone digging around when he found it moving. Maybe the hiding spot wasn't nearly as secure as he thought it was if George had stumbled upon it so easily. But there was only so many places he could actually hide it. And clearly George had done a deep clean of his room if he had found the sheets knotted up into a rope underneath his bed. He was only amazed George hadn't taken it upon himself to pry the floorboard up and climb under it as well. The clean freak that he was. All it would take was one slip up-a cold chilling was felt as it went down Merlin's spine-and so Merlin couldn't have somebody with so much free access to his room. Able to come and go as they please without him even knowing…

"The thing is…" Merlin scratched awkwardly at the back of his head, trying to think up the right words. Something that wouldn't actually be a lie-he was sick of lying for one day-but it also had to be something that wouldn't make him lamer than he already was…fuck it. He'd skipped right past lame and straight into the moron territory the day he married Arthur. "I don't think I'm a Royal!" Was what he ended up going with.

George's mouth popped open at that, and he stared at Merlin baffled. Merlin winced as he supposed he could have been a little bit more eloquent than that. He was a peasant boy so he 'knew' Arthur would probably say he had no eloquence. But that did not mean Merlin had to go and prove him right. This was when George got his faculties working again, "Sire, forgive me for questioning you but I'm afraid I do not understand-"

"And that's the whole problem," Merlin found himself quick to interrupt before George was able to go on a tirade. He couldn't sit here and listen to George making apologies when he had done nothing wrong. The other boy was just doing his duties, what he had been taught to do as a manservant. If George had been assigned to anybody else, Merlin would seriously doubt that they'd have anything to complain about. George was great at his job, but all of this was sorely about Merlin and his own hang-ups. It was just too strange for him to have a servant. Too much 'getting used to' his fancy life and that was just one step away from forgetting where he came from. And too much of a risk since he had his secret he had to consider. And okay, maybe 'technically' he was Royal now, but it was definitely this mind this. Because Merlin didn't 'feel' Royal, and it was this kingdom that wanted him to be this …this thing! And he wasn't interested in the least at playing their games until they left him as nothing more than a shell of his former self. So Merlin went on with his explanation to George the best way that he could, by giving an example, "I'm not Arthur-" probably not the best example that he could have gone with. But he didn't know any royals other than the king, so Arthur it had to be. "And I'm able to do my own cleaning and such-"

This was when George gave a horrified gasp, complete with putting a hand over his heart and looking aghast at Merlin. As if he'd just spoken blasphemy. Because heaven forbid a 'Royal!' be forced to do his own laundry. And heaven forbid the 'Consort' do anything that might resemble cleaning. Heaven forbid that Merlin gets his hands dirty and callused from the work it took after years of scrubbing your own dirty underwear…

Merlin made sure to keep talking when it was looking as if George was about to interrupt or tell him verbally how wrong it was to do all of the above… "So while I do thank you for what you have done for me," Merlin didn't think he could have lasted those first few weeks after he had married Arthur without George being there to whisper tips and such in his ear. Now if only things had worked out, maybe Merlin would still give a crap about half of the stuff he had learned. "But I don't really think that I need a manservant…so bye."

Merlin ducked his head down and hurried off further down the hallway, leaving George to come to terms with his firing. He felt this odd mixture twisting like rope in his belly of how lame he was and really bad because George hadn't been a bad servant. He was just…the servant. And Merlin had already risked it all by doing a healing spell on Gwen's father. He had nearly been caught by Gwen herself if he had allowed her thoughts to wonder clearly in the direction she was heading. Merlin figured a third chance really 'would' spill his secret for all to know. George was a risk that he just could not take.

X

George gave an almost inaudible huff of air through his nose before he was storming off down the hall in the opposite direction, and passing by Gregory who was lumbering after Merlin.

'Well then,' George thought grudgingly in his mind. 'He had never been 'fired' before. But clearly he needed to do some extra training to get himself prepared for the day Consort Merlin needed his services again.'

George had always considered himself to be an excellent servant. His track record was impeccable, which was exactly why he had been the one chosen for the honor to serve the consort. But clearly something had gone wrong with his technique, hence why he felt the need to do extra training. He might just go back to basic training and relearn every little thing along with the new hires. Even if George had already memorized everything he could about how to dust properly. Or how to cut his master's food into nice even pieces as to prevent choking. Or the proper way with waking up his master to maximize how good the day might be with a hearty breakfast that was quite ready to be consumed. And a few million other little odds and ends every good servant should know about taking care of the master. Learning everything all over again on how to be a 'proper' servant would hurt.

But George knew that one day, the Consort would need his help again. Rather that was because the consort had gotten busy dealing wit affairs of the castle or for another reason and he would be there to ease the burdens of taking care of one self. It would be the great honor indeed, when George was allowed to take care of his master properly. To be able to launder the Consort's clothing, and wash his bedding, and god-George felt a thrill of hope go through him-he might even be allowed to 'dress' his consort properly. Something that his consort refused to allow him even to this day…

But for now, George had to report to his own quartermaster and ask for extra duties. This was a setback but George would do his work until Consort Merlin called for him again.

X

Merlin didn't get very far down the hallway before another headache encounter him. Or more like the headache known as Gregory had followed him. "Consort Merlin." said the knight gruffly, keeping only half a step right behind Merlin. Giving the illusion of this big, hulk-like figured right behind his Consort and daring anybody they might come across to try and attack his charge. "Did the servant do something wrong? If you would like, I am able to detain him and lock him in the cells until your ruling of his punishment."

"N-no! Leave George alone!" Merlin shouted in disbelief, whipping his head around so that he could glower at the knight. Was Gregory planning on throwing people in jail because he thought they had 'upset' him. God, Arthur must have been way worse than he thought if that was what people could get tossed in jail for. Let's just forget all about the people who were possibly murderer's if something were to happen. We're just gonna focus sorely on the people who 'upset' the Royal family. As if Merlin couldn't handle a bit of upset, not that George had. Or at least not the way Gregory thought he had.

…Fuck this.

Merlin turned his back on Gregory, the sound of his footfalls at a steady pace right behind Merlin enough to set his teeth on edge as he stormed down the hallway again. It seemed to be too much for Merlin, being constantly followed everywhere he went. Watched like a hawk as if Gregory expected him to make this mad dash to the window and throw himself out of it. Which wasn't an entirely bad idea at the moment. Watched every second of every day, it had only been two days at the most for sure, but Merlin knew that he could. Not. Live like this. Not long term. It was like some kind of sensory overload to him, like an itch Merlin couldn't scratch because of how closely he'd be watched doing it…

"Merlin?" A voice called as he went around the corner. Merlin was in a state of too much sensory overload-the clinking of Gregory's metal boots ringing in his ears, the hallway itself was feeling a bit too close for comfort as if the walls themselves were starting to close in on him, the 'I need space' thought echoing unanswered in his mind. He didn't even realize said voice calling to him hadn't addressed him as 'Consort Merlin' which was how most people addressed him whenever it was they talked to him. Even the ones who'd mocked or openly scorned him would often call him that, albeit in a mocking tone. As if they were waiting for the day he was thrown out on his ass.

Which probably scared the crap out of Gaius when Merlin whipped around to the side and scream ones, "WHAT?!" In his face, feeling as if this whole 'consort' business was starting to take a frightening toll on him. He stopped, and slapped a hand up to cover his mouth as he saw it was only his uncle. Uncle Gaius who was now staring at him sternly with this 'what do you think you're yelling at me for'.

Okay…maybe Merlin needed some serious help if just calling for him was enough for him to go off the deep end. But could you blame him! Merlin was having some serious identity crisis going on, feeling as if he was yanked in this direction and that direction and probably a million other directions as well because hey why not. He was only Merlin, nobody all that important in the grand scheme of things. Not when there was princes and kings and noble knights running the show half the time…

Gregory appeared over his shoulder again at that moment, wedging his way right into the middle of Merlin and Gaius, "Consort Merlin, is the physician bothering you?" the knight demanded as he took charge of the situation. Merlin could thank small favors that at least the knight hadn't tried to stab his uncle with the spear he was carrying.

"No!" Merlin exclaimed loudly, feeling like his eye was twitching because this was just pure ridiculous. And he was going to bloody have another go with Arthur over this situation he had stuck him in. "I do not need you to detain him or put him in jail or whatever else!" Gaius would bloody well kill him probably if Merlin had him tossed in jail. And Merlin might just kill the guy who 'tried' to put his uncle in one of the jail cells.

Gaius cleared his throat, looking as if he had realized where Merlin's sudden attitude toward him, "That will be all, Gregory. I think the Consort could use a bit of space. I can assure you that I have no plans on trying to assassinate my nephew."

If Gregory seemed surprised that Gaius was Merlin's uncle, his face didn't show it. But he did nod-only once and jerky like-before the knight was stepping back, listening to Gaius more than he did Merlin. Gregory didn't leave his post, no, that would be irresponsible of him since the prince had left Merlin within his capable care. But he did go down to the end of the hall, standing further away from them then he usually did. The privacy was better at least, and Merlin felt as if he could breathe a bit better since Gregory wasn't hovering right on top of him.

That didn't stop Merlin from whipping his head around to look at Gaius with nothing less than pure amazement, "How did you do that?" He exclaimed. He'd been trying to half get rid of Gregory ever since the night shown up. Well, when he could when he hadn't been running around like a chicken with his head cut off. Running around the castle to help his uncle with gathering information on the sick or helping Gwen's father live…yelling out his lungs at Arthur and feeling as if he'd gotten nowhere. There was only so much time that he could dedicate to getting rid of Gregory. Or losing him when Merlin was off trying to do something that 'should not' be seen by a knight of Camelot.

"You just have to learn how to talk to some of these people." Gaius said, taking his nephew by the arm and leading him further down the hall but still within Gregory's sight. He knew better than to stop Gregory from completing his duties. He also stalled for time, as he did not want to tell Merlin that Gregory listened to people he respected. Like Gaius who had delivered his baby daughter into this world a few weeks back. Gregory protecting Merlin because he was a good knight who knew to get the job done didn't exactly mean that he respected Merlin as a leader. Or the knight would probably put his orders from Arthur-to protect Merlin-in front of any order that his nephew might try to do instead. "So, tell me, what exactly has been going on…?"

It had only been an hour or two since Gaius and Merlin had gone their two separate ways right after the meeting with Arthur and Uther about the sickness being spread through the water. And while Merlin had clearly been a bit agitated, Gaius was blaming that on Arthur, it had clearly grown. Gaius wouldn't have even came across Merlin right now during a normal day. He should be down in his chambers and running more tests on the water to try to find a way to neutralize the poison itself without destroying Camelot's water supply. But he'd figured while he was still in the main part of the castle, he could stop and do a few check ins on some of his regular patients. The one that needed him to do rounds every month or so to make sure their medications didn't have any needs to be adjusted. Just because they had a sickness going around didn't mean all of his other patients needed to fall off to the wayside.

Merlin let a little huff of air escape out of his mouth before shaking his head, "Where do I even want to start? I have Gregory who's on my ass every five minutes of every day-" he didn't care that it had only been two days of Gregory guarding him. Clearly he didn't have the strength to deal with something like that for long. "I just fired George-" and he didn't even want to get into all of that. People may think he was nuts for getting rid of a servant, especially one who 'loved' to do all manner of things for him. But Merlin had to do what was best for him, for his secret, for…well, he was sure another reason would come to him at some point. "And done even get me started about Gwe-"

Merlin cut himself off abruptly, snapping his jaw close. He had 'so' not meant for Gwen's name to slip out of his mouth. He didn't want Gaius to go asking questions, or bringing his attention to Gwen. And thank god! Gwen had not gone spreading the news of her father's recovery. Merlin didn't want Gaius to know, because then Gaius would know-obviously-he was the one that did it. He could just hear the lecturing and the screaming if Merlin told him he'd gone against what his uncle warned him about. There was nothing to worry about anyway, because everything had seemed to go off without a hitch. Tom would live. Gwen would keep her father. And Merlin got away with it all scotch free…

X

Gwen hummed happily under her breath, and smiling to herself as she continued with her work. Despite the chaos going on outside the gates, today was actually this really beautiful day. The sun was shining brightly through the window's of Morgana's bedroom, lighting the space up in all of the right ways. That was a sharp contrast compared to yesterday, when Gwen had felt she was being encompassed on by darkness. When she had felt alone and knew she really 'was' going to be alone.

But things were different today.

She was safe and sound inside of the gates where the sickness couldn't reach her. Even if she was sad some of her neighbors didn't get the chance to have safety like she'd been lucky enough to get. Her father was alive and well, nothing could top that. Even if she was disappointed she wouldn't get the chance to celebrate that proper. Not with her locked in on this side of the gate.

But still, today was beautiful.

Even Morris having shown up to yell at her wasn't enough to ruin her day. Especially not after Merlin had defended her barely a half an hour before. The handmaiden smiled as she brought the vase of flowers she was holding up to her nose so that she could breathe the fragrance from them in deeply. These were the flowers she had picked for Morgana, and the ones she had plucked a flower from and gave to Merlin. Even the flowers were happy, all perked up and reaching for the sun.

The flowers must be able to tell her mood was good. Or at least she liked to think they did, an innocent giggle arose from her throat as she toyed around with the innocent idea. It was so kind of Merlin, she thought serenely as her gentle fingertips played around on the beautiful purple petals, to come all this way just to check on her.

He was so sweet. It was only a shame that Arthur couldn't see the same kindness in him that Gwen saw. A gentle sort of kindness that was found 'very' rarely among these parts of the castle. When everybody was trying to do their best to overlap everybody else, to raise up in the ranks of their stations one way or the other, it was rare to find somebody that didn't.

Gwen turned away from the window, still just a humming under her breath, her skirt going in a seat around her ankles as she walked to the other side of the room. Gwen had every intention of putting the flower on Morgana's bedside table, figuring she might be happy to wake up with her first sight being the flowers in the morning.

She never made it to the nightstand.

Her good mood though, soured in less than an instant when the door to Morgan's room suddenly flung open loudly with a crash. The door slammed so hard into the wall behind it that Gwen would be surprised if it hadn't left a dent. But a dent was the last of her concern when three knights stormed the room.

"Wha-" Gwen started, feeling panic course through her. The only reasons the knights would have for storming into Morgana's room was if something was going down. Like if the castle was going further than just having this lockdown. Her hands clenched uselessly and frantic around the lid of her vase, maybe the castle walls had been breached. There was so many people out there, it wouldn't have been hard for her to imagine some of them were more overzealous. If the sickness had breached the wall and was running about in the castle, Morgana-as the sole female and not a fighter, and she supposed Merlin would count as well now-would be taken to a safe zone. Her as well considering she was Lady Morgana's maid, but only if she was with her. Nobody was going to go looking for her. She was about to call out for Morgana, to scream that something is happening.

But then Arthur walked into the room and she felt her voice when in died in her throat. She had only seen that look on his face a handful of times the entire time she's known him, and each time was when something horrific was happening. That look could be attributed to the sickness happening. But not how it was directed at her. And only now was she seeing that the knights had formed a formation on either side of Arthur, blocking the door and her from leaving.

What was…

Arthur couldn't bare to look at her-his father had been right about sorcerer's being able to hide their trickery behind their smiles, how long exactly had Gwen been fooling them all into thinking she was an innocent maid, how long had she been practicing sorcery behind all of their backs-and he looked at the group of knights he had assembled, "Seize her." he commanded, voice devoid of all emotion but cracking through the silent air like some kind of whip.

Gwen's mouth dropped open wide in horror-because surely the prince couldn't be talking about her-as the situation hit her. She had no chance of moving before the knights were on her, and she shrieked loudly with surprise as the knights grabbed her and their meaty fists wrapped easily around her biceps. "N-no…" she tried to cry out, but her voice seemed to be blocked out by the harsh sound of glass as it shattered, the vase in her hands hitting the ground as her feet. Shards scattered off in every direction, water staining the floor as petals broke free of their flowers into one big ruined mess.

Nobody seemed to care about her confusion or panic, not even Arthur who led the charge against her, already carting her to the door. It was something she had no chance of fighting against, the two knights on either side of her and one behind her able to cart her-they had nearly picked her right off her feet from their jerky moments-towards the door.

"Guinevere," Arthur spoke in this awfully cold and formal tone as he read her her rights. "I am arresting you for contraventions and the crimes you committed against the laws of Camelot. That you knowingly and with a full awareness, practice enchantments."

Arthur was speaking as if he had never met Gwen before. As if he hadn't met her when they were twelve and Gwen had been going through an awkward phase, her braided twins poofed out in fluff balls on either side of her head, her curls much wilder in her childhood and harder to contain. Speaking as if Gwen hadn't been there everyday for the better half of a decade, trotting right behind Morgana for every event. As if she hadn't been there for almost every 'family' breakfast, lunch, or dinner, steadily stocking up Morgana's drink or plate as the king, the prince, and the ward talked. But for Arthur…no glimmer of emotion got through the hard mask he was portraying in front of the handmaiden. Because people-his people-were dying. And the prince didn't have time to sympathize with a magic user.

Even one that had tears dropped down her dark cheeks, her feet failing uselessly against the floor as she was dragged out of the room.

"Gwen?" Arthur bit back a curse, knowing he was in for it when Morgana came on barreling out of the back room where she'd been using the chamber pot. Only to be drawn out from the screaming of her maid. "What do you think you're doing!" Morgana exclaimed when she saw the scene in front of her, eyes wide with a storming anger.

Gwen's head whipped around at an awkward angle as she tried to crane her neck around at the sound of her voice, "Please, you've got to help me! I haven't done anything!" she was crying and begging, not even able to get her footing straight as she was carted down the hallway. None of the guards holding her even looked at her, as if she wasn't a person but a thing. A thing to be eliminated…oh god, was she really being arrested right now? And for what, what had Arthur said. Something about enchantments, she was sure of it. But Gwen had no idea what that meant, no idea what-enchantments-he could be talking about

Her brain was too fuzzy and it was making it hard for her to think past her own panic. She almost couldn't breathe, feeling the panic as it consumed her, yanking in an attempt to get her arms free but the guards were like steel, their grips unrelenting. Her sobs echoed out around her as she was carried off to only god knows where.

X

Arthur had to literally step in front of Morgana to prevent her from trying to attack any of his soldiers. "Morgana," he snapped firmly, some emotion finally creeping back into his voice as the situation-something he'd been trying to ignore-hit him at face value. Gwen wasn't a stranger. It was harder than he had thought to see her being carted away. "Gwen…she's been doing magic. We found a poultice that she hid in her home."

Arthur saw Morgana reeling back, knowing the dangers of magic was as well as he did himself. "W-what? That's ridiculous! You're lying!" she exclaimed, refusing to believe for even a second that Gwen-her handmaiden, her friend. The same girl that brushed back her hair and sung little tunes to her whenever she'd get a night terror in order to soothe her back to sleep-could have used magic. It did not make any sense, how could Gwen even know any magic in the first place. Uther had burned all of the spell books from back then during his first assault on what would be later known as 'The Great Purge.'

"Then how do you explain her father and his recovery?" Arthur demanded harshly. Arthur was a lot of things but he knew how to do his damn job. He didn't have to know anything about magic to know a glowing ball of light was not something normal. Tom's healing had been unnatural, that much was the most clear. But…nobody had expected Gwen to go through such lengths to keep her father. This would be a shock for everybody who'd known her.

Morgana shook her head in a rapid motion as her dark hair fanned out behind her, refusing to play whatever game Arthur thought he was playing with her. Refusing to acknowledge a truth right in front of her eyes. Refusing to admit that yes, it was strange how Tom had survived when nobody else had, "But she's Gwen! She innocent! I know she is!" Morgana exclaimed. And to be honest, Morgana didn't care if what Arthur said 'was' true. She didn't care if Gwen had used magic, all she wanted was to have her friend back. And not the next time she saw her would be on top of the old executioner's platform.

Arthur grew frustrated and threw his hand out to the side, because no matter how much this was shocking…he couldn't ignore it. He could not ignore the countless people within his city dying at this very moment because of one girl, "What exactly, do you expect me to do then?" the prince demanded. "I cannot go and then a blind eye to something like this!"

Morgana didn't say anything, all she did was stare up at him with those dark eyes of hers. But they were torn between despair or quietly swearing to Arthur that this wasn't over yet, not in the long run. Arthur hoped she would just stay in her room and mourn for Gwen's future, but he had a feeling Morgana would invoke his father's wrath if she tried to go and get herself involved. But Morgana was quite the stubborn sort, and Arthur had nothing to say about the situation any longer. What was he to say anyway? Hey, I'm sorry that your maid turned out to be a sorcerer in disguise, using balls of light as a means to seduce the innocent into coming onto her wicked craft. Sorry that Gwen could have tainted souls that were innocent just by being near them…

Arthur shook his head and turned away from Morgana to march across the length of her room to the door so that he could follow his knights and the criminal. He didn't have time to argue about what's what with Morgana, it was hardly his fault she'd been employing a witch all these years.

"Arthur," Morgana called out to him just as he was reaching the door. Arthur supposed he'd could have ignored her, but he learned a long time ago-the hard way-that it wasn't okay to ignore Morgana. If he did, then she would go do something 'so' much worse. So that was why Arthur paused himself in the doorway to her room, his hand on the doorframe but he didn't look back at her either. Waiting, while making the time he'd decided he didn't have moment's before, for her to say whatever it was on her mind. "…You do know that if you hurt Gwen, I will never forgive you. 'Merlin' is never going to forgive you."

Arthur felt his spine stiffen with a sharp and audible 'shit'. Everything had been happening so fast. One minute he was stealing a box out of his room-planning on how to get it fixed up and show Merlin he could get treats that he'd want if he played nice-and then the next, he's done gone and arrested what was probably Merlin's best friend…well, Morgana had been right about that. Merlin would 'not' be happy about this. He was almost like this little ball of emotion that Arthur didn't even want to try to keep up with. A true 'wearing my heart on my sleeve' kind of guy that Arthur couldn't really stand.

But…someone he still had to protect.

Arthur had been so focused on keeping that brat safe, treating him like this unwanted pet he'd had forced upon him. He had assigned the guard on Merlin for the sneer purpose of keeping him alive. Had been so worried about Merlin 'physical' wellness-if only because the moron was 'his' to protect, and Arthur would be adamant in not failing that duty that he'd never wanted-that he'd never stopped for a second to consider how well Merlin would be 'mentally'. Well, other than allowing Merlin to stay with Gaius, but that was just good sense on Arthur's part. A way to control all of those outbursts of his, even if it didn't seem to be working all that well…Arthur blamed the sick on that though. Some people were breaking down with all of the chaos going around, and it didn't surprise Arthur that Merlin was one of them. Oh, good god, Merlin was probably going to start crying, wasn't he?

Arthur had told him-told him!-that being any kind of friend to a maid-a consort being the friend of a maid, what a crazy idea, but not any crazier than a peasant marrying a prince-was out of the question. Wasn't going to look good, he wouldn't allow it, needed to think of what the people would think…no matter what way Arthur had put it, Merlin had ignored him concerning it. And now Arthur was probably going to get stuck comforting him: ie: telling him to suck it up.

But of course…that was back when Arthur had just thought she was a serving girl who should not be mingling with royalty. Not that she was a sorceress…all those friendly smiles she would flash as she was working around Morgana suddenly seemed a lot more fanged like than originally. A lot more demonic, it was like his memories were being distorted to fill in gaps he didn't know was there. Images of Gwen delivering something to him suddenly seemed to be her trying to pass on a magical object to cloud his mind and bend him to her wishes. A giggle with Morgana as he walked past them suddenly felt like a subtle spell as it was cast in his direction…sorcery was not to be tolerated. It gave people like Gwen-the sweet, wholesome thing she had going about being nothing more than an act-this unfair advantage, able to blend into the world with no one the wiser of their evil…

Merlin wouldn't stand a chance without him being there to protect him…

Arthur finally turned to look back at Morgana, with his head tilted down so that his bangs cast a shadow across his eyes, "He doesn't need to forgive me." Arthur said quietly, and his voice was devoid of emotions just like it had been before. A warning for Morgana to back off couldn't even be hard, although that was what he wanted. "He'll understand once he is safe. Once he know what Gwen is doing with her time…once I've got him away from her sorcery."

Arthur turned on his heel and left, following after his knights and prisoner, while ignoring the audible scoff Morgana had made behind him.

Merlin would understand, Arthur was sure of it. He was a stupid boy, but even he managed to somehow have a knock for sensing danger when it roared its angry head. Obviously, the sorceress had gotten through the cracks.

And since Merlin hadn't been able to figure out Gwen's wickedness-like the way he had known danger was coming even if he didn't understand it when Valiant had cornered him in the armory, like he had been able to drag Arthur out of the way just before the blade Mary Collins had thrown at him faster than any of his guards could react-it was clearly up to Arthur to protect him from the danger he'd put himself in.

From the danger Arthur had put him in by not being more firm against his friendship with Gwen.

X

Merlin never saw it coming, never considered what was going to happen. How a day that he was already over with-frustration swirling into his veins at a steady pace considering all the encounters he'd had in such a short span of time-could go from Worst to…indescribable.

Merlin was supposed to be walking to one of those supply closets with his uncle-he had been 'this' close to forgetting about it before Gaius had asked him about it-to get the vials he'd asked for earlier. One couldn't do proper experimentations after all, without having the proper equipment. And Gaius needed to run more tests to determine 'what' exactly, was in the water in the first place. Which could be a good start to discovering what sorcerer had put the substance in the water.

According to Gaius, there were dozens upon dozens of possibilities for what substance it was. And that only included what he'd called-the normal concoction's were. The poisons most people-if they'd known what they were doing, of course-were able to whip up within the safety of their own kitchens. Just gather a few well chosen berries, a rare herb here or there, or just swipe something from the court physician-who'd always kept his door unlock-that was already prepared.

But there was nothing Gaius kept on hand that would induce these kinds of symptoms at all. And there was nothing he knew of that could be brewed to conduct this sickness. No blue veins working their way across faces of the innocent. Nothing that could cause death within a day of coming down with it.

There was however, a whole slew of potions one could make for other things. Poisons that could cause terrible rashes along the throat before it closed up, choking the life essence of it's unfortunate victim. Poisons that could cause a terrible itch, so painful that one could claw at their skin in desperation. Get so deep with their nails that the skin would start to go peeling from their flesh, leaving the fingers to be stained in a horrid red. Before they would bleed out after going so deep they ended up severing an artery. Even a poison that caused black rashes to appear on the belly, but only after the drinker had downed the extremely deadly concoction. Leaving them to suffer in extreme agony for hours before the body had started to shut down, making you feel it one by one as your organs stopped working…

And each one with it's own different cure, or even no cure known in some cases. So there were thousands of different combinations he knew Gaius had to try before he lucked out in the 'one' combination of herbs, berries, and other miscellaneous ingredients that would be able to neutralize the effects in the poison of the water. It probably wouldn't be a cure to the people who were already sick, but maybe they would be able to get it out of their water supply. And stop the more people from being able to contract the sick.

But all of that was a rather moot point. This sickness wasn't mundane, it was something darker and more twisted than that. This was somebody who had used something as pure as magic and then twisted it until it was able to fit their dark purposes. To cause the most fear and panic in less than a few days, where the people suffered in desolate conditions as they waited for the sick to take them. And to join them with their loved ones who may have already passed on from it earlier.

But as fate would have it, Merlin and Gaius as well as Gregory following right behind them at what he considered to be a 'reasonable' distance away from the Consort, would never make it to the supply closet. In fact, they had not even made it close to the nearest one of the closets scattered about around the castle itself. A piercing scream, or a sobbing cry one might describe it as well, seemed to cut into the air.

Merlin recognized that scream-or at least the voice because he'd never actually heard her scream before-in half an instant. "Gwen!" he exclaimed, and before he was able to think it through clearly-although really, what would there be to think about, because obviously Gwen was in trouble-he'd taken off running down the hallway.

His feet pounded down the hall, ignoring the way Gaius shouted after him or the sound of a second pair of feet as Gregory raced after him. Merlin swore, if Gwen was screaming like that because Morris had made another appearance and was doing something much worse than just snatching clothes from her hands and yelling at her, then Merlin would be forced to beat the ever loving shit out of him. Rage fueled him as he ran faster down the lengthy hallway as Gwen's screams-they were sobbing heart wrenching screams with panic and terror coating her voice-got nearer and nearer.

"No, please! You've got to listen to me!" she was shouting, and then Merlin saw what was happening…he felt his lungs constricting and his breath freeze as if he'd been dunked right into an ice bath. Oh god, how he had wished it was Morris dragging Gwen down the length of hall, passing the side hallway that he was coming down. They didn't seem to notice him at all, traveling past him like he was a ghost-it was something unseen and invisible toward the naked eye. Exactly how he felt. But it was nothing floated to how Gwen might be feeling right now…

Merlin couldn't take his eyes off the scene as he stood, frozen like one of the many statues hanging around the palace. He wasn't able to breathe right-frozen as ice was figuratively working it's way up the nape of his neck. Not even when Gregory stopped, realizing that it was a prisoner escort and not somebody who was in trouble. Trouble his master had been running too. Merlin didn't even move when Gaius joined him on his other side…

"Please! I haven't done anything!" Gwen's was begging the knights, her voice felt as if it had been literally ripped out of her throat. It was painful and anguish and raw and feeling, the tears streaming down her face while also making it all splotchy, her eyes looked puffy and wide with panic. "You just have to listen to me, please!"

Why was nobody listening to her! Why was nobody even looking at her, avoiding her eye as if they thought they too would be brought to an arrest if they even showed her a single ounce of sympathy. She had never been so confused, so terrified, in all of her life. Magic, they thought she was doing magic, but that only brought her to the question…why? Why had Arthur ordered this on her. Why did not one person answer her questions or give her more details on 'why' she was being arrested. Why did Arthur think that she was off doing 'enchantments'. Gwen knew better than to go playing around with stuff like that! She had been a good servant, a diligent worker, she didn't do…that. But it was most clear to her that she didn't have any friends. Or at least none of the knights carting her along had a friendly face. No pity. No sympathy. Nothing more than a blank mask as they escorted yet another prisoner to the king.

Gwen broke down sobbing again, going limp in their grip, her legs shaking so bad that she had trouble walking straight. The only reason she did not go sprawling across the ground and onto her belly was because of the tight grip they kept on her, forcing her to stand upright. "I'm innocent, I swear. Please, let me go. I swear to you I am."

Her pleading and begging went unanswered but it did spurn Merlin into action, and that is what caused him to step out in the hallway so he was no longer half hidden. But still…was it because of him? He had tunnel vision, feeling as if bile was going to come up. There would be only one reason he could think of that could cause Gwen's arrest: they had found the poultice he left behind. Stupid, stupid, he was so stupid…he 'knew' Arthur was going from house to house. And he hadn't thought to try sneaking out past the knights guarding the gates so that he could get it back, what kind of moron was he?! And now Gwen was…this was because of him. All because of him…

Merlin made an aborted motion to go after her even though he didn't know what he was able to do to stop it. Stop it. Stop it. Stop I…he had to do something. But then Gaius was putting a hand on his arm, not stopping him from going if he so choose, but freezing him in his step. What was he supposed to do? Go take on three knights and hope that he didn't get caught…

Gwen though, must have caught sight of the movement out the corner of her eye. She was craning her neck, trying to see Merlin around the bulky planes of the knight's shoulder. Her eyes were wild, looking at him pleading. He'd helped her with Morris, surely he could help her now. But that was probably her very own desperation coming out, all sense of logic left her as her only thought was escape. Safe. He was safe, Merlin was safe…

"Merlin! Merlin, help me!" She screamed out at him, tossing her head around as she kept trying to twist around in the knight's hold. But the grip they had on her arms was relentless, and god, did her throat hurt. All clogged up with this huge lump in her throat, she let out another heart wrenching sob as she turned back to the knights. "Why won't you listen to me!"

That was all she needed. Just one person to 'listen' to her, so that she could clear up this 'huge' misunderstanding. But nobody cared to listen to the victim. Oh god…what exactly was going to happen to her? It seemed as if everybody had already made their mind up on whatever this was. On whatever they had thought she did…she sobbed anew as her guards dragged her further down the hallway. Away from Merlin and safety and…Gwen was all on her own. With nobody to help her, with nobody to listen to her, with nobody…nobody to tell her that everything was going to be alright. Because it wasn't, was it…

And Merlin couldn't help her. Because at this moment, a hand was clamping itself around Merlin's bicep, jerking him out of Gaius hold and down the hall. Away from Gwen. Far away so that he couldn't help her, couldn't…Merlin was in such a state of shock and horror that he didn't fight back. Not even when he had noticed it was Arthur, doing the dragging. But if that was because Arthur was trying to keep Merlin out of his way-something he'd always tried to do because he thought Merlin was a waste of space-or because he was trying to help him…Merlin didn't hold much stock on that theory.

It was only when Arthur stopped on the other end of the hall did something seem to spur up in Merlin. Seemed to call him into action as something screamed at him to do…to do…he still didn't know what he could do.

But Merlin tried anyway. He tried to push the posh prince out of his way so that he could hurry after Gwen-his only thought was 'this is his fault, this is his fault, running through his mind like a mantra. He almost didn't even feel Arthur when he grabbed him by his bicep and jerked him back before he was able to get too far away. Arthur used his body like some kind of barricade-his bulky shoulders doing it for him-to block Merlin from being able to see Gwen.

Merlin blinked as sound-he hadn't even realized it felt like cotton was in his ears, and stopping him from hearing anything but that awful roaring in his ears-came rushing back to him. "Let me go, Arthur!" He shouted, his voice hoarse as he tried to force back his own tears forming in the corner of his eyes, he refused to let Arthur see him crying, not Arthur. "I need to help her!" He tried to get away from Arthur again, to get past him, but the prince grabbed him by the sleeves on his shoulders and jerked him around.

"Stop fighting me!" Arthur barked, shaking Merlin roughly to get his attention-to snap out of it-before he was pushing him against the wall and pinning him there with the length of his body. Every inch and every curve pressed up against the other as he caged Merlin in, their bodies just separate enough only to make room for Arthur's hands holding him down, Merlin's tunic tight around his shoulders because of Arthur clenching the fabric in his fists. "There is nothing that you can do…you can't help her."

Merlin wanted to fight back and scream, he'd wanted to throw a bunch at Arthur and say he 'was' going to help her. Rather that would be 'embarrassing' for Arthur or not, just like he'd embarrassed Arthur with his every existence. He didn't though, because he could hear the truth ringing in Arthur's words. Heard them as they vibrates down to his very core, and he went slack against the wall. And his hands came up to cup Arthur around his biceps for balance, slumping as defeat curled through him.

And he blinked furiously as more tears were welling up in his eyes. Oh god, he was going to be sick. Even doubly so because this was almost feeling as if he was-oh god, here was the bile trying to work its way right out of his throat-being 'comforted' by Arthur. Because that was absolutely…not even a thing in their orbit.

"…I have to try," Merlin said weakly, his face contorting as his hands clenched into fists in the sleeves of Arthur's ankle length red coat, bunching up the fabric. Arthur was just a big hulking obstacle, Merlin could move him with his mind if he really wanted to. But magic had caused this whole thing, him using his magic even when he 'knew' he wasn't supposed to use it. Using it now to force Arthur off of him wouldn't help him. He'd just be caught in the same situation Gwen is.

"…You can't." Arthur repeated softly, his voice much lower than it ever had been when he'd talked to him. It didn't help him any. But there was one thing that helped, even though he'd deny it till his dying day.

The solid weight of Arthur's hands on top of his shoulders kept him grounded. Even when the prince lowered his hands, running them down his arms until he was holding his wrists in a loose grip. Just in case Merlin tried to do something else to get free.

Merlin closed his eyes tightly, trying to start imagining the he was somewhere else. But it wasn't possible, not with Arthur's head this constant reminder of what his reality was. So he forced himself to take this steadying and slow breath. Which didn't really help him at all because all he could smell was Arthur…he smelt like pine trees. As if he'd spent all day stomping around in the woods.

"…What has she been arrested for?" Merlin choked out, hands clenching around nothing as Arthur now held his wrists in his own. And he hoped beyond all hope that Arthur wasn't about to say witchcraft. Anything would have been better, because at least then it wouldn't have been Merlin's fault. "Was it…" Merlin was licking at his lips to wet them, feeling just how achingly dry they were. His mind felt like it was scrambled, but he waded through his thoughts to think of 'any' other reason for her to be arrested other than the one he knew it was for. His mind landed on one and then he nearly bucked up, because this thought was almost as bad as the reality. "Are you doing this just because she gave me the flower? Is this some kind of…kind of punishment for it?"

Merlin wouldn't have been surprised, since it seemed like the kind of petty thing that the prince would do to him. But this would have also been something far worse than he would have thought Arthur would go. But this made sense-in Merlin's addled mind-because then it wouldn't 'be' his fault that Gwen had been thrown into this situation. Arthur had shown Merlin how pissed he was back then, trying to snatch the flower right off his neck simply because he hadn't wanted to see it. It would have been 'embarrassing' for Arthur to have his consort going around wearing this flower that came from somebody else. Arthur had already gone all stalker on him, assigning the guard and everything so that Merlin could still be watched even when he was too busy to do it himself. Merlin had figured maybe Arthur'd gotten over it after he told him that he wasn't going to have Gwen killed for it.

But maybe that had just been a ploy. Some trick to keep Merlin from worrying his 'pretty, little head' off about it. Until the time would be right for Arthur to pull this together. Find a way to have Gwen arrested for it without him admitted he'd done it in some kind of fit of-what kind of fit would it be? A fit of jealousy, that hardly seemed like the answer since the prince hated him anyway. A fit of anger? Was this his whole 'I'm embarrassed by every little thing you do so obey me and act just like any good little proper consort should' thing acting up in an outrageous way. Or that was how Merlin heard it whenever Arthur got mad at him for not doing what he was told.

At least if it was the flower…it couldn't be his fault, the thought circled endlessly around in his mind. It would have been Gwen's fault as she was the one to give it to him in the first place. But no…that wasn't right. It would have been Merlin's fault too, because he had been the one to ignore Gaius' warning. Had been the one to race out the door to meet Arthur before he could see the body of that woman laid out on the table. Had been the one to go flaunting it in front of Arthur, had let his own desire to mess with Arthur go straight to his head instead of thinking through the actual consequences.

Arthur's hands tightened around his wrist, his loose grip becoming tight like this steel cable -punishing and unrelenting-in an instant. And his blue eyes flashed with a barely concealed rage down at Merlin, "I may not have approve of that, but I didn't…orchestrate this for some petty revenge." he harshly hissed. "We're way past some stupid little flower."

I t wasn't some 'stupid little flower' to Merlin, it had been a whole lot more than that. Even if he had used it for one of Gaius experiments in the water. A worthy contribution to making the world-or at least their city-a better place-a safer not sick place-to live. Gwen would've been pleased to know she had held a small part in discovering what had made everyone so sick. She wouldn't have been pleased to know that Merlin had needed that flower like a crutch, feeling this harsh weight of hatred or disgust almost everywhere he'd gone. He had needed that flower then. Like he needed Gwen now.

Arthur must have seen something in Merlin's expression, because his features had actually seemed to soften, as if he was finally ready to acknowledge that Gwen meant something to Merlin. "I know that this is…difficult," Arthur started, feeling his grip loosening on Merlin to hold his wrists in a softer grasp. He could forgive Merlin's outburst, his accusation, he probably didn't mean it. This was a difficult situation for everybody, considering just how close Gwen had managed to get to the Royal family with her…hobbies…going undetected for so long. "This will be even more difficult to hear, but it's best for you to hear it from me instead of some random servant once the rumors start to spread."

Merlin dropped his eyes down to where his…husband…was holding onto his wrists. Where he would have snapped at Arthur just hours before, where he might have kicked him right in the shin…again…for touching him without his permission…he didn't. He needed to be grounded, needed something that he could stay focus on-like then blistering heat from Arthur's hands wrapped like a soft iron band on his thin knobbly wrists, "…Tell me…" he said, breathing out and closing his eyes with this resigned expression.

He already knew what Arthur was going to tell him. And he didn't want to hear it, even if he knew he needed to. Knew he needed this brain to accept what his heart already knew had happened.

"She's been arrested on account of playing with magic and practicing witchcraft." Arthur said with as much poise as he could. He and Merlin had been fighting for so long, the only thing they seemed to have in common was how neither one was willing to give the other one a single inch for fear the other one would win. Merlin had even had the nerve to go out and question him about his father-questions of how his king ruled or how his father would treat the son-things people knew better then to say to his face. So he should probably just leave-storm off dramatically and follow after his knights so that he could await his father's final judgement. That was the most important thing in the long run: have Gwen kneeling at his father's feet so that she could atone for her crimes in front of the court. But he felt as if his feet had been nailed to the floor, unable to just leave Merlin in the state he was in.

His to protect, had became almost like this mantra in the back of his mind. His chest felt inexplainable tight all of a sudden, making it hard to breathe. Because that protection did not just mean physically…it actually did mean emotionally as well. Fuck, he'd known Merlin was gonna start crying, the tears welling up in his eyes…what the hell was he supposed to do now? It wasn't like he could go sticking his blade up through Merlin's rib cage to protect him from his own sorrow and make him stop his crying. Keeping Merlin safe physically was so much easier when all he had to do was kill Valiant…how was he suppose to make a cryer stop crying…

"We…" Arthur licked at his dry lips, looking off toward the side so that he would not have to see him crying. This whole thing was 'so' far out of his comfort zone, that it was ridiculous. It didn't help that it made him feel like a huge failure. All of this fighting they've been doing all over the place…of course it would screw up Merlin's head. Of course he would have all of these outbursts he always had. And Arthur was partially to blame for it, for not taking this closer look. He'd failed when Merlin needed him to have his back with Valiant, and now he was failing him again with Gwen. But it wasn't like Arthur could go and turn his blade to her either. "We found this poultice-that's a thing sorcerer's use for their spells-hidden inside of her room."

He went ahead and decided to give it to him straight, adding in the detail as it was pretty obvious that Merlin, a farm boy from the middle of nowhere, wouldn't know what a poultice was…thud, thud, thud. Arthur could feel the harsh pounding of Merlin and his pulse going off like rapid fire in his wrists, vibrating into Arthur's palm and up his arm. It was obvious that Arthur had done absolutely 'nothing' to help soothe-to protect-Merlin, if his pulse was any indicator. Nobody should have their heart going that fast without them risking some significant heart defect. Without his permission, Arthur's thumb started to rub a few circle around the bone that was jutting out of Merlin's wrist, trying to calm him down a bit. "She's being taken to my father for her final judgement."

Arthur said this as a sign of comfort, to make it seem as if there was still some time for it to be worked out. Because he was sure Merlin would just love it if this turned out to be one giant misunderstanding. But they both knew it was a false hope. Uther's decision would've already been made long before he had found out it was Gwen. And it being Gwen wouldn't change Uther's mind on the harshness of his punishment. In fact, it'd probably be far more harsh because Uther would see this as Gwen duping the Royal family, or trying to get close to the Royal family for some kind of plot. But Arthur-being the brave knight he was-had discovered her before she could do anymore damage.

"But this…this is ridiculous." Merlin protested quickly, trying not to show his anxiety on his face even as his heart was plummeting right into his stomach. He'd known that was what Arthur was going to say, but knowing it and then hearing it out loud was clearly two very different things. And Merlin wasn't sure that he could take it, his knees were shaking so badly that he was surprised he h wasn't on the floor already. It should've been him, he should have been the one being carted off to Uther for judgment. Arthur should have been the one to find his magic book the time he'd been searching through his room, when he had busted up Merlin's chest and scoffed at it. Then…then none of this would have been happening, "She's…she's Gwen. She's not a witch."

Merlin felt choked up, his throat clogging up and the heavy weight on his chest made him feel as if he could hardly breath. As if he was slowly being crushed to death, only he had no chance of getting out of any of this with himself unscathed. Especially with the way Arthur's stupid thumb was doing that stupid rubbing motion…he still didn't pull away from the touch. He wanted Arthur to just see a bit of sense, to realize how ridiculous all of this was. Gwen? A witch…but the poultice he had so stupidly left behind was a pretty damning piece of fact. Most people would have heard that and written Gwen off as one more simple casualty-meant to die young as to wash away the sins she had partaken in, seduced by the glow and the magic as so many other people had done before Uther had opened the eyes of many to the evils of witchcraft-but most of the people weren't Merlin. Most of the people wasn't the one who had done it and unintentionally left Gwen behind to take over as the fall guy.

Arthur shook his head just the once-firm and stern-he really didn't like how elevated Merlin had his heart rate. He tightened his grip onto the wrists just once before letting them loose again, "I wish I could tell you different," Arthur said softly. He shouldn't feel guilty, Gwen was a witch and she needed to pay for the crime those deeds had brought her. But…how the hell was he supposed to keep Merlin safe if he had things like this happening completely out of his control. He couldn't exactly hire a guard to protect Merlin from emotional blows to the heart. Merlin was such a girl, falling all over himself. And Arthur couldn't even have the satisfaction of saying 'I told you so'. I told you it was a bad idea to have a maid for some kind of friend. I told you that consorts should not mingle with the common people. I did tell you but you didn't listen to me, and now your gonna be known as the guy who was friends with a sorceress. And I'm gonna be known as the guy married to the guy who was friends with a sorceress.' But Arthur didn't reap in the benefits of having gotten one over on Merlin now. At this point, it would've almost felt like kicking a puppy. Just something you should not do. "But I was there, I saw the proof with my own eyes. I saw…it…"

Arthur had made it sound like some kind of bad word, something awful on the edge of his tongue. But Arthur figured he probably needed some kind of solid proof that what he was saying wasn't any kind of falsehood. And short of showing Merlin the poultice-which wasn't happening in the least. He didn't even want to see it for himself, yet along have his consort anywhere near the thing. That would have been the exact 'opposite' of keeping the boy safe-so his word would have to do.

His word didn't seem good enough.

Merlin seemed to pale, his already light skin going to a pasty white. His mouth started to open and close on its own, unable to suck in enough breath to get in a proper amount of air, making his chest feel tight. "Y-you saw it, you actually saw it…?" he choked out, an eye starting to twitch it. Somehow, Merlin hadn't considered Arthur would've seen the actual poultice he'd left behind with his own eyes. It, he had thought, had been found by random guards doing the searching. And then it had been reported back to Arthur who went on to arrest Gwen. That wasn't what happened.

Arthur had seen it. Had seen the magic in the poultice with his own eyes-the fact played on repeat in his mind-had he touched it as well? Merlin didn't want to know that actually. Felt as if he would pass out from how much blood was rushing out of his head and down to his feet. He did try to imagine what the poultice had looked like after an entire night, what the prince must have saw when he looked at the cloth ball. Cloth…Merlin had ripped the cloth off something to wrap the healing herbs up inside of it. Was it possible for Arthur to trace that back to him? …The glowing the cloth ball would have been lighted up with…the purity of the magic lighting it up-Merlin's magic-this was like his very essence had just been put on display. Arthur's eyes were on it, Arthur's eyes had seen something that flowed straight through every vein, pulse, and beat of Merlin and his body. Every hair. Every twitch. Every little drop of blood Merlin possessed. It was filled to the brim-nearly overflowing it felt like sometimes-with the golden magic. That was why his eyes glowed every time he used it, as the only physical sign that he was a sorcerer.

…Merlin felt this insane urge to snatch back his hands from Arthur's grip. And then close his jacket up tight so that Arthur couldn't see him. Arthur seeing his magic almost felt as if he was being seen naked, even if the prince didn't know it was him he was seeing. It was close enough to make Merlin choke a little. It was even 'worse' in fact. Because say, Arthur walked in on him changing clothes and then saw him naked. It was embarrassing enough and after the things Merlin would scream at him, he would be sure Arthur would never do it again. But seeing his magic…it was inside of him, it was like peering into his very soul and seeing something else…seeing 'him' in a vulnerable position…

Arthur nodded jerkily, his damn thumb was still rubbing circles into Merlin's wrist bone as he was lost in the memory of that glowing orb he'd seen, "I did." He admitted, keeping down his voice and a low shiver went straight down the length of his spine. Remembering it, that ball of pure light…it had been unnatural, and unforgiving in it's power. It was no wonder his father had started the Great Purge if balls of light had been a normal occurrence way back then. Arthur wasn't scared of many things, he liked to think that he stood in front of danger when it threatened his people, but how could he do that when the threat was coming from inside his own land. How exactly, was Arthur supposed to combat against mysterious balls of light…no, it was best to let his father be the one to handle Gwen and her punishment…

"And…" Merlin said slowly, dropping his head down some. He didn't dare look up at Arthur, knowing that he was fishing for information. It was one thing to use his magic to push a bed under Gaius to stop him from dying. It was one thing to stop the bucket of water Gaius had knocked of the table because he wasn't able to control his own instincts. It was one thing to stop a rather large tee branch from falling and crushing Will to death not very long after he'd learned Merlin had magic to begin with. But for some reason, Merlin found himself wanting to know Arthur's thoughts on it. This was his chance to find out what it was Arthur thought about magic. Not just all that stuff his father tried to force down the throat of everybody else.

"It was-" Arthur trailed off, looking as if he'd been trying to find the proper words so that he could describe it adequately. Merlin was leaning forward, glancing up at him through his eyelashes. What was Arthur going to say about it? Would Arthur be able to pleasantly surprise Merlin and say the light was a thing of beauty-nobody, the very few people who knew about him-was the type to call what he wanted his magic to be. Something beautiful, even something that was caged as it couldn't be shown to the world. Something that was a wild thing and should be allowed to be free, as long as Merlin could keep a proper control of it, that was. He allowed himself to forget it was Arthur he was talking too-his breath was held in anticipation the whole time-until that uppity prince opened his mouth again when he finally found the word.

"…Disgusting."

Just like that, Merlin could have sworn he had heard the sound of shattering glass echoing all around him. He reeled back so hard, he'd almost brained himself on the stone wall right behind him. And he was jerking his hands out of Arthur's grasp, his touch suddenly feeling like a hot iron band, marking him like the iron shackles that weakened a sorcerer and their magic. That kept them caged and bound until they were burned for the sins of not being the same as everyone else. For daring to be different. For daring to live. And just because some people used their magic to cause some disease to run rampant throughout the city, didn't mean everyone did…

Arthur didn't seem to even notice his hands were now empty. He looked to be staring into space, his eyes looking at nothing while he'd pursed his lips. He kept talking, as if Merlin had invited him to give him very unsolicited opinion, "It was horrible, and powerful. I don't know how Gwen could have possible came across such a thing. Pretty enough to draw one in, but powerful enough to get a grown man quaking in their boots-"

Merlin licked at his lips, clenching his fists at his side. Pretty, Arthur had said. Arthur had called his magic-his soul and his essence-a pretty thing. It made him feel small, because he knew what Arthur was trying to say. Merlin might have made something pretty-he might even go so far as to claim it was beautiful if Merlin pressed on the right buttons-but the magic was also dangerous. It was 'Merlin' he had deemed dangerous. And something that was dangerous was often something needed to be destroyed. Destroyed by fire before the sins of one could start to spread and poison the minds of others, leading to more death or chaos that could have been avoided if they'd punished the one when she-when Gwen-was caught.

Merlin used to wonder, back when he'd first met Arthur, rather or not the prince shared his father's views on sorcery. Had been bold enough to play around with the idea that he wasn't, maybe Arthur could be the guy that he wanted him to be. Somebody that he did not have to hide from. That had been ruined and dashed within the first month of him just being here. But that was more because he'd gotten a real look at Arthur's personality and saw what he didn't like. But it looks like Merlin had just realized, just because Arthur wasn't spewing his hatred over wizard-kind like his father had the first time they met, it didn't mean Arthur wasn't the same. Cut from the same cloth and all that. Apparently there just hadn't been an opportunity for Arthur to talk of his views, not until there had been a literal witch hunt in the city.

Merlin knew Arthur's opinion now. Merlin had all but written Arthur off already, that didn't make it hurt any less. Make him feel anything less than an abomination. And Merlin could either leave now-storm off and swear to not ever talk of this again, so he could fall into a new round of pointless tears-or he could try to do something for Gwen. Be brave against a cold and uncaring world.

"And you think that Gwen was really able to use this…ball…thing, and you think that she was the one to cause the sickness?" Merlin asked slowly, fumbling over the word just to pretend he didn't know anything more than he should. He could forget about himself and his own feelings about Arthur at the moment, Gwen needed him. Needed him to 'focus' on her and not his own messed up life. She had helped him so much already-like when she'd given up her own time just to teach him how to put on armor so he could impress a dude that was now condemning her-the least he could do was put her first. "How?"

Arthur was brought back to attention when Merlin's question hit him, and he looked over at the other boy, frowning confused. "What do you mean how? She was caught with the enchantments in her home. Her father was a known victim of the disease, but is now hard at work putting a new sword together. Magic is the only explanation for all of that."

Magic 'was' the only explanation for that, but as far as anybody was concerned, Uther had destroyed all the spell books there was in the kingdom years ago, "So how does Gwen find one? And where is it? How did she learn any magic in the first place? And even if she did find something out, a spell the size of what's going on would be far too much for someone whose a beginner. There's no way Gwen can do something of this magnitude…" and Merlin stopped when he saw Arthur was staring at him. Shit, had he said too much? He probably had, hadn't he. Fuck, he might as well just go and tell Arthur that he was the one to do the spell for Gwen. "I mean…Gaius told me," was what he stuttered out, his fingers rapping in anxiousness against his thigh. "Some things about it."

Arthur seemed to believe him because then he was rolling his eyes. "You don't have to go worrying about any of this. It will all come out when Gwen confesses before the king. She'll tell us where she found her tricks at and you can be sure nothing like this will ever happen again."

Arthur didn't let it show on his face, but he'd admit that Merlin had brought up some pretty good questions he hadn't considered. He had his guards tearing apart the little hut that was shared between Gwen and her father. There had been no other signs of magic other than the poultice. So where's the spell book Gwen used to make the poultice in the first place. It had to be, Arthur figured with a mental shrug of his shoulders, hidden either really well. Or Gwen had burned the evidence just as soon as she hadn't needed the book anymore. But that made no sense, because why wouldn't she had gotten rid of the poultice itself either, it's presence was proof she had actually used witchcraft. The book would've just proven her intent, and his father might be convinced that this meant they could still save her soul from the everlasting fires of hell if she hadn't used a spell yet. And if what Merlin said about this sickness spell being too powerful for Gwen…no. He couldn't let himself get distracted with Merlin trying to bail out his friend. They'd got their witch, he couldn't allow Merlin to put his doubts into his mind.

"And how are you too be so sure of that, do you think?" Merlin demanded, blinking hastily as he felt the sting of tears starting to come back to his eyes. He just couldn't help it. All he could think was Gwen…Gwen…Gwen…his fault…helpless…he'd done it…save her……and he not knowing how to do that without having to reveal himself as the true sorcerer. "Unless you know something isn't right here. And that means you 'know' that Gwen isn't a good one for this sickness. Oh Arthur, you have to help her! You have to…"

Merlin cut himself off abruptly when he had realized he was trying to appeal to Arthur's better nature. The one that he probably hid away from the rest of the world. But that was just the thing. Merlin didn't know if the prince had any 'better nature' to him at all. If he did, it was carefully hidden. So much that Merlin had never seen it himself. But…Gwen…Arthur knew Gwen. Surely he wouldn't want to see her punished. Especially if Gwen hadn't been the one to cause the sickness, which the girl obviously wasn't. …Merlin had his pride but even he was willing to swallow it if he could only convince Arthur to get on his side. If only he could convince Arthur that Gwen wasn't a wicked enchantress that he seemed to think of her as now. And Merlin had to stop himself from falling to his knees in horror when he'd realized he was all but begging Arthur for his mercy, begging him to unknowingly fix Merlin and his mistakes.

"I don't have to do anything." Arthur cut him off, his voice suddenly much sharper than it had been this whole time. Sounding more like himself than he had since he'd appeared and dragged Merlin down the hall to stop himself from running after Gwen. Arthur didn't even feel guilty-or so he told himself-when he saw Merlin stiffening up at his tone. He was some protector, wasn't he? But he had no choice to cut off Merlin's wild ramblings. He knew that his father's mind had already been made up long before Arthur had discovered Gwen with the witch's equipment all but at her delicate fingertips.

Plus…he didn't want to have Merlin, nor those wild ramblings of his rattling around inside of his head when he went to see his father, and give him his report on Gwen's arrest. Already, he could fee his doubt starting to sink in his bones, could feel himself wanting to ask the questions Merlin was brave enough to speak out loud. Arthur clearly needed to build up a wall, some kind of defense against Merlin, if only to stop this. Every time Merlin asked the tough questions, Arthur was forced to bring it in front of his father. When he'd dared to ask what really happened to that Knight Ewan, it had brought him right to Valiant's door. And it led them out to the council chambers only a day later. This was different though, that girl was a witch, the proof was undeniable. So, he could not be expected to ask his father these questions on Merlin's behalf, there was not a point to it since Gwen would get punished for it either way.

…Maybe he should just leave. By this point, it had surely been enough time for his knights to get across the castle and be closing in on his father's throne room. With Gwen in tow to have her final judgment cast upon her by his father's golden authority as king.

As if reading his mind, Arthur's head whipped around to look down at the small hand curling around his wrist to stop him from leaving. His eyes-Merlin's eyes-were trained directly on his face with deadly intent, not allowing those eyes to wave despite how…uncomfortable…it was….was the best word Arthur could use. "I am not talking about some stranger here, you know. Arthur," Merlin's voice came out just as harshly as Arthur's had moments before, and practically spitting his name out to boot. "I'm talking about Gwen. You have known her how long? And as soon as something like this has to happen, you turn your back on her? She's Morgana's friend, for god's sake!"

Merlin knew he was probably treading on this very dangerous waters. Arthur'd already told him exactly how he felt. Had all but told him he wasn't even going to save her. Because in his mind, Gwen probably wasn't worth being saved. But in Merlin's mind…she was. And it was probably the reason he was trying to get anywhere with Arthur still. Because he knew he couldn't get anywhere without Arthur or his help on this. Not if things were as serious as they were looking. Merlin hadn't thought about it twice before jumping into the council meeting against Valiant all that time ago. He couldn't afford to be so callous now. Not if…not if Gwen's life was probably at stake.

But Merlin had made some false calculations if he thought Arthur was going to jump when he reminded him of the history there. All he'd seemed to do-just like he always seemed to do even long before he'd entered Camelot in the first place-was make things go so much worse than what was already happening to him. Arthur's eyes seemed to ice over, like a tundra during the coldest of winter nights as the worse winter storm blew through, and he practically wretched his own wrist right out of Merlin's hand. As if he couldn't bare to touch or be touched by him. No surprise there. Not when Arthur often acted as if he had this flea problem with how often he snatched himself away from Merlin. Closing himself off during all the times Merlin tried to get closer only to get nothing in return for his efforts.

"Guinevere is not my friend." Arthur hissed at him hatefully, wanting nothing more than to take all the doubt and questions Merlin was trying to force him to ask and shove it right up his arse. What he'd seen inside of Gwen's hut…that might…it was something that he'd never be able to unsee. And he wouldn't let Merlin change his mind on this. "Nor is she Morgana's. Guinevere-" speaking out her full name instead of the more common nickname everybody knew her by as a way of putting a distance between himself and everything that was happening. "Is Morgana's maid, and she is nothing more!"

As soon as the word left Arthur's mouth, he felt as if he should swallow them back. If only so he could pretend that such a vile sounding thing hadn't left his lips. Wasn't he going on not that long ago about how 'protecting' his consort-or whatever he was supposed to be doing-meant his emotional well being as well as his physical. And here he found himself all but yelling at the boy. Obviously, Merlin was having one of his 'emotional outbursts' and Arthur didn't think he was making anything better. But god, Merlin made it so difficult to not grab him by his shoulders and rattle him so hard his teeth would shake. None of this was so damn personal, as Merlin seemed to think it was. This was Arthur being forced to put aside all personal feelings-just like a good ruler should be able too-and doing what was needed for the good of his kingdom.

"You're wrong." Merlin spoke up suddenly, his voice bold and glaring daggers straight into Arthur's eyes. Or more like his soul, it felt like, gutted and open for all the world to see in the reflection of Merlin's blue eyes. The Consort knew full well that Arthur considered all these peasant people-the servants, those who had to live from paycheck to paycheck, those that lived in the 'working class'-were far beneath him. He probably thought Gwen deserved to die just because she couldn't afford to eat all her meals-or even one-off of some solid gold plate. Or because she-like Merlin-would not let the food on said plate go to waste, would put it away for the next day instead of having it tossed out and going to waste. And just because Gwen couldn't afford to wear those clothes made out of silk. Couldn't afford to have a formal education. Couldn't 'afford' to waste her money on every little trinket that caught her eye in the marketplace…that did not make her not worth saving.

…Arthur clenched his jaw, not liking the way that Merlin was looking at him. It was a very strange look, tossed and mixed up between looking at Arthur like he was some kind of monster-for not trying to throw himself into the fray at his father's feet to try and save the serving girl who had gotten herself into that whole mess-and disappointment…Arthur felt a tightness in his chest. This couldn't go on, he wasn't going to be guilted into trying to do something that he didn't believe in. The facts pointed to Gwen, and that was all there was to it. And maybe, someday…Merlin would be able to understand that. And stop looking at him like that. Looking at him like he thought Arthur should do the decent thing and fight for a girl who had made her own bed. And the girl who now had to lie in it and suffer with the consequences of her actions.

"I-" Arthur started to speak, even though he didn't know what he was going to say to clear things up. But then there was a clatter going on down the hall, making both Merlin and the prince turn to look. It was only the knight and the physician-who had been having their own hassled conversation down the hall-making their way to them. Arthur shook his head, and decided on his own spur up the moment-with no input from Merlin himself-that he should not have to see any of this.

Truth be told, there was really nothing much for Merlin to see now. The most traumatizing part-seeing Gwen being dragged throughout the castle screaming her head off by knights much bigger than she was-was already over and done with. But Arthur figured-this would be Merlin for you-that he'd tried to follow him to his father's throne room where Gwen was going to be waiting for him. And what would be more traumatizing than seeing his 'friend' as Merlin would insist, even after everything that was happening, kneeling at the feet of the king and waiting for him to judge her for her crimes.

Before Merlin could try and do something like run off, Arthur reached out and snagged him by his upper bicep. Merlin's head whipped to look at him with those eyes-stupid eyes that resembled a startled doe, fuck-and dragged him over to Gaius. "I need you to take him to your home. And keep him there." the prince spoke firmly, ignoring Merlin and all of that stuttering protest he was doing when he'd heard Arthur's command.

"Of course, sire." Gaius said firmly, taking the boy by his other arm and starting to hurry the consort down the hall with him. Urging him to go faster whenever Merlin would try to stop, heading in the direction Gaius' chambers are located. Away from where Gwen was going to be taken.

Arthur breathed a sigh of relief, his shoulders slumping because now that Merlin was out of the picture, he would be able to focus more on his actual duty. It was no surprise for the prince though, when Merlin still managed to ruin Arthur's carefully laid plans-get himself to his father's throne room, stand there like a door nail, and watch his father sentence a girl they all knew to the execution's platform.

"Arthur!" Merlin practically screeched, which caused the prince to whip around on his heel, his hand going down to his sword. With how loud Merlin had been yelling. Arthur would've thought Merlin was being attacked by some stranger out of nowhere. And it would be his job to decapitate the moron who thought that they could attack his consort-stupid, stupid Merlin that he 'needed' to keep somewhere safe, quiet, and out of the way so that he'd not be a distraction to Arthur. But there was nobody attacking Merlin-who had wretched his arm out of Gaius' hold just before the two of them could leave the hallway, the reason he'd screamed being only to get Arthur and his attention due to the length between them all-making Arthur feel incredibly stupid as he dropped his hand from his sword. Then that consort of his-stupid, fiery consort who just could not leave things alone, who just could not leave Arthur to handle thing, who could not 'trust' Arthur to do the hard things that Merlin probably couldn't stomach if he tried to get involved-was yelling again.

"Please…you know this isn't right. You gotta help her." And then Gaius was taking Merlin back by the arm and practically jerking him around the corner, dragging him and Merlin's distressed figure out of view, Gregory going with them to stand outside of the chambers to Gaius' room.

…Motherfucker…

Shit, how the hell was Arthur supposed to go and face his father-face Gwen-after Merlin's little heartfelt plea right there. His ears were literally ringing with Merlin's begging-but he would probably throw a fit if Arthur referred to it as 'begging'-to help him. It was probably the first time Merlin had told him 'please' for anything. The first time Merlin had asked him to 'do' anything for him.

Arthur had riches beyond anything else in the city at his disposal. Right at his fingertips and he could pass those riches right into Merlin's hands. He could drape the man in clothing or jewels made of solid gold. Even Merlin would look good if he had a ruby red-the color that was marked by the Pendragon's-gemstone the size of his fist, hanging off a solid golden chain around his throat. Silks and fabrics of impossible to get cloth-just like the wedding clothes Merlin claimed was too 'itchy' for his taste-covering his thin body. He'd even been more than willing to do something about that room-the Royal suite before Merlin decided to go and move out on him-and make it look like a consort actually lived there. Fill up the shelves with whatever Merlin's little heart desired. Bulk up his desk if Merlin showed any interest in learning things somebody in his position of power should've learned from birth, hire private tutors to get Merlin up to snuff so he wouldn't sound like a dumbass hillbilly. Hell…Arthur might have been even persuaded to introduce him around properly, help him make some connections among the other nobles to establish him among the finer society crowd. But, of course, only after the tutor could convince Arthur that Merlin knew how to behave properly in the right company.

All Merlin had to do was ask.

Merlin had laughed in his face. And then he'd moved out that day.

But now Merlin was finally asking him to give him something. And it wasn't even something for him. It wasn't even some material object that Arthur could throw at him and reap with the benefit of knowing Merlin had swallowed-finally-his pride to ask him for it. No. He was asking for Gwen. Asking for Arthur to…save…her. As if he knew full well of the yanking pull Arthur felt to prove he could provide that brat with whatever he 'fucking' wanted, there was no reason for his consort to want for any little thing on earth.

Of course Merlin would go and ask for what was probably the 'one thing' Arthur wouldn't be able to give him.

Fucking hell.