Merlin Oneshots

"Who hurt you?"

"Who hurt you?"

The words rang through Merlin's head.

"What?" he asked, confused.

"Merlin, who hurt you?" Arthur asked again. Merlin kept his head down focusing on polishing Arthur's boots.

"I don't know what you're talking about." Merlin said so low Arthur almost missed it.

"Merlin." Gwaine growled. Merlin huffed.

"I'm fine." Merlin said, though he knew they didn't buy it. He reached over to grab another boot and winced, a hiss escaping his lips, his body betraying him.

"You are not fine." Gwaine reached over, taking away the boots, polish, and rags. Percival pulled Merlin to his feet and forced him gently into a chair.

"What happened?" Arthur pressed again.

"Nothing out of the ordinary." Merlin responded, pursing his lips.

"You look like someone has used you as a punching bag, among other things, so I will ask one more time before I fetch Gaius and Guinevere." Arthur scowled. Merlin flinched. "Who hurt you?"

"It doesn't matter. I'm just a servant." Merlin answered softly. He looked at those around him. They all looked ready to argue. "No, I am. I am just a servant and there are things about my job that you wouldn't understand."

"Try us." Gwaine insisted.

"Do you know what the roles of servants were under Uther?" Merlin asked, still quietly.

"I...that's what the steward is for." Arthur asked, doubt and worry creeping in.

"And do you know what the steward enforces? Do you know what Uther required of the steward?" Merlin asked, looking in Arthur's eyes.

"No...no I...I don't." Arthur answered, feeling a cold seep into his belly.

"I suggest you start there, Arthur." Merlin told him, looking down at the table.

"You still haven't answered my question of who hurt you, Merlin?" Arthur retorted.

"A visiting noble. You told them I was at their service while they were here, and they took full advantage of having the King's servant at their command." Merlin told him, tears starting to trek down his face. He clasped his hands on the table then, trying to force himself to think of anything other than what he had been used for. When he opened his eyes again and looked at the others, they all looked thoroughly shocked, angry, disgusted, and worried. Gwaine looked like he was ready to take on an army, Percival was shocked, Leon was a mix of disgusted and worried, and Arthur had gone through all of them.

"Why did you never say anything? To any one of us?" Leon asked, kneeling next to Merlin's chair. Merlin just shrugged.

"There was never a good time. You and Arthur grew up here so I assumed you knew what went on. Everyone else...it was hard. We may have all sat at a round table together once, but when we came back things were as before. I was just another servant." Merlin said without any emotion.

"You are NOT just a servant." Leon said determinedly. "You are our friend. And we failed to see the pain you were in. Never ever keep something like this from us again. We were not aware of the steward's orders and the servants don't speak to us the way they do to you."

"I'll fix this, Merlin. I swear to you. I never meant to see you hurt." Arthur was holding his composure by a thread. Gwaine had swiped away a few tears already, and Percival just let them fall. "Can you get to your room alright? I want Gaius to give you a once over and then rest for at least a day, if not more based on what he prescribes."

"No, Arthur, I'm fine. I like having chores to do. It keeps my mind busy." Merlin argued.

"It wasn't a request. Gwaine, make sure he gets there and stays there, yeah?" Arthur instructed through gritted teeth. He knew Gwaine was more loyal to Merlin than to Camelot and he was ready to put it to use. Gwaine gave the King a crooked grin and pulled Merlin up from the chair and half carried half walked with the warlock. Leon went to fetch the steward who looked very put out when he was brought into the council chambers before a furious King and several angry looking knights.