Broken

Disclaimer: I don't own Merlin):

This is my first fanfic! Hope you like it (:

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Merlin ached.

He had literally been working for 3 days straight and the only rest he seemed to get was when Arthur was out and he could hide away in his chambers. Though even that was only for 20 minutes, if he was lucky.

After a recent run in with a group of renegade sorcerers, Merlin, Arthur and the Knights of the Roundtable had been out in the woods for over a week trying to capture the law breakers, but to no avail. This had left an angry Arthur, a bunch of complaining knights and one very tired manservant.

Throughout the quest, Merlin had been subjected to Arthur's quick tounge and insults that were thrown his way were not in short supply.

Gwaine had tried to stop Arthur taking his frustration out on the Warlock but his concerns were ignored by the King. He felt angry and he was going to express it. As Merlin was the smallest, he would bear the brunt of the blonde's rage.

However this meant more work for Merlin.

Not only had he had to collect the firewood, start the fire, make the dinner, wash the pots and tend to the horses, oh no. No, now -with Arthur having been as he was- he had had to stay on watch for pretty much the entire stay.

Upon returning to Camelot three days ago, the King had calmed down but had insisted on giving Merlin every chore he could think of. Infact he often made the youth redo everything simply because he was frustrated.

By the time Merlin made it to his small chambers every night to sleep, it was early morning.

Yet not once had he been able too.

Merlin put this down to the fact that one of the sorcerers had attacked him when they first met, and upon discovering Merlin's magic had threatened to expose him if they were ever caught. The mans long black hair and slate colour eyes had been plaguing his dreams ever since.

So to say Merlin was tired would be an understatement.

The raven haired boy slumped back against the furthest corner of Arthur's chambers and let his eyes close.

'Just a couple of minutes and I'll be a right as rain' thought Merlin, beginning to drift off in to a nightmare-induced sleep.

'MERLIN!' his master called from down the corridor.

He could here the stomping of his expensive boots against the stone corridor and Merlin new Arthur well enough to know that his master was angry.

So, with a sigh, Merlin dragged himself up off of the hard floor and stood respectfully, that huge goofy grin plastered to his face, trying to fool Arthur into thinking he was ok. Though he knew he could be crying in a heap on the floor and Arthur wouldn't notice. He was often oblivious to his manservants needs.

'You really are useless, Merlin! I asked you an hour ago to clean my armour. You know I have knighthoods to bestow this afternoon, or did you forget that as well?'

The kings voice echoed around the room, making the blonde seem more like the powerful leader he was.

'I'm sorry, sire' Merlin muttered. His head bowed to his chest.

'Yes, well you better be. Stop sulking and hurry up! I want everything to be ready for the knighting ceremony when I get back. Do you understand?'

'Yes sire.'

'Good.' Arthur smirked, as if pleased he had belittled Merlin.

And with that, the young King swept out of his chambers, in a

blur or red and blonde.

A quite 'prat' tumbled out of Merlin's mouth before he'd even realised that Arthur had not left to continue his duties to Camelot.

Unfortunatlly for Merlin, Arthur heard his servant's insult.

Arthur's head turned to glare at the young man and, although the King was smirking murderously, Merlin could see the playful gleam in his eyes.

'Idiot.'

And with that, the King turned away once more. This time closing the large oak door behind him.

Merlin let out a sigh as he heard the retreating footsteps gradually become quieter. He knew it was wrong to rile Arthur but he was glad he hadn't taken it to heart.

Now all that was left was to make sure his job was done and Merlin hoped that if he finished quicker he could go back to the physician's chambers and rest.

He knew it was foolish to hope of getting any sleep tonight; the nightmares were making sure of that.

Then again so was Arthur.

Despite him not knowing of his manservants lack of sleep, he didn't help matters by constantly ordering him to do chores that kept him busy till the early hours of the morning.

Merlin knew that the reason Arthur was giving him so much to do was because of the rouge sorcerers, but he couldn't help but wish his friend would cut him a bit of slack.

'Well,' Merlin thought, feeling weak and broken. 'it is my destiny I suppose.'

The Warlock turned around and picked up the armour thrown carelessly across Arthurs grand table.

He stumbled slightly as he gathered the metal in to his shaking arms and began the long journey to the armoury.

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The next parts should be up soon and I'll write as soon as possible and update as often as I can. That should hopefully be every couple of days.

Advice will be hugely appreciated!

Isabella xoxo