Merlin One-Shots

Heart as Cold as Ice (Evil Arthur AU) Part 2

*I was asked if I could write a part two for this AU, and honestly I love the idea! So, here's part 2!*

Arthur walked down the corridor that led to the dungeons, each torch flickering as he walked by them. The only noise that reached him was his own footsteps and the occasional crackling of the torches. His path led him to the deepest and darkest cell which held who he believed to be his most loyal knight. Well, used to be his most loyal knight. Arthur scowled when he remembered that it was this same exact knight that let Guinevere escape his grasp. He loudly cleared his throat when he was close enough to the cell, causing the figure inside to flinch.

The ex-knight that was in the cell glared at Arthur with angered eyes. Dark circles decorated his face and his curly brown hair and facial hair were caked with grease and grime. 

"Why has the gracious King come to visit me?" the man asked with venom in his voice. 

"Oh, Leon," Arthur chuckled. "You used to be my most loyal knight. But, you threw that all away, and for what? For a serving girl who fell in love with someone else."

"I have only ever loved Gwen like a sister," Leon replied before standing up and crossing his arms. "When I saw your descent into madness begin, I got her out of there as soon as possible. My only regret is getting caught by you."

Arthur narrowed his eyes before speaking up again.

"I did not 'descend into madness'," he seethed at Leon through the bars. "I just discovered that my father was right about everything he ever told me. The only way Camelot will prosper is for it to be ruled by an iron fist." He took a deep breath before smirking at him. "But never mind all that, I need your help."

"Why would I ever help you?"

"I can give you your freedom. I only need to know where Guinevere is located."

"Why?"

"So many questions," Arthur chuckled before grabbing a nearby chair and sitting. Leon sat on the ground, confused by Arthur's actions. "If you must know, I had my manservant taken away from me."

"You always send your manservants away," Leon interrupted with a raised brow.

Arthur shot him a glare before he continued talking.

"This one was different. He lasted five months before Guinevere and my sister came in the middle of the night and took him."

"Five months? That poor boy," Leon sighed. "Well, I'm glad that he got away from you, but why did you keep him that long? Especially since your manservants only last two days at most."

"This one is different," Arthur replied, his smirk growing. "I've grown attached to him, and I want to make him mine."

"You're disgusting," Leon spat before turning away. "I won't help you with your twisted plans."

"I thought that would be the answer," Arthur replied as he took out a vial from his cloak pocket. Leon's eyes widened at the vial as Arthur moved it around, making the liquid inside swish from side to side. "Thankfully, I had Gauis whip up this little potion for me."

"He would never," Leon stood up again and clenched the bars. 

"Oh, he would," Arthur chuckled as he bit off the cork and spat it on the ground. "He would do anything if that meant his precious little sister wasn't harmed by me." He unlocked the cell and took a step inside. "Now, be a good knight and take your medicine."

Leon backed away until his back hit the cold wall behind him, and Arthur grabbed his chin. Leon tried to escape Arthur's grasp, but before he knew it, his mouth was wide open and the foul-tasting liquid was being poured down his throat. Arthur grinned and threw the vial to the ground, resulting in it breaking, while Leon coughed and gagged. His eyes soon glazed over and he stood straight.