The sun rose gallantly over Camelot, shining in the window of a small, sleeping servant. He lay still, unbothered by the light.
Today was Merlin's first day as a servant for Prince Arthur.
Eventually he woke, and rolled over in his cot, away from the window.
"What do servants even do?" He whispered to himself. "Do they have to do everything? Or just help with things often?". Merlin thought of the most dreadful thing. He sat up quickly in horror as the thought ran through his mind.
"Would I have to dress him?"
Suddenly he couldn't get the image of him out of his mind. What would his bold, stoic figure of a soldier look like shirtless? Pants-less even?
The thoughts vanished from his mind as Gauis swung open the door.
"You're still here? I thought you left early for your first day, you already missed breakfast!" Gauis shuffled in and booted him on the shoulder. "Get up! There's food still waiting for you on the table."
"oh..I don't exactly know what to do for the Prince!" Merlin hollered as he ran down the stairs grabbing his apple and bread from the table centered in the adjacent room.
"Well, I guess today you'll find out.." Gauis yelled back as Merlin slammed the door behind him.
Jogging through the halls with bread in his mouth and an apple in his pocket, Merlin attempted to put his jacket on. He had absolutely no clue where to go. The new servant slowed as he reached the outside of the castle. To the left of him were the stables. Too shy to confront his confusion and inevitable punishment, he went in to clean the stables rather than find Arthur. After a few minutes of bumbling around looking clueless, he found the tools to scoop the waste and refresh the hay. Nervous thoughts ravished his mind, making him even more anxious.
What would he do if he found me here? Is he the kind of Prince to punish his servants?
" Not that I would mind if he did.. " He muttered to himself, slightly ashamed he could think such things about the royalty of Camelot. How could he not? You could spot him from across a battlefield. His tall, strong figure of masculinity shined like the sun reflecting his fitted armor. Merlin bet every girl swooned at the slightest glance of him. He certainly felt something.
Just when Merlin was finishing up in the stables it was nearing late afternoon. Still lost in his thoughts, he didn't notice when four guards emblazoned with armor and shackles in their hands burst in through the doors behind him. The Prince only fluttered from his mind when he was harshly grabbed and stood to his feet.
"What-" Merlin didn't have time to protest before his hands were restrained with cold metal. "I don't know what I'm doing! " He tried to tell the large men practically carrying him out of the stables. But he knew he would get no answer from them. He would just have to await his fate when brought to the Prince, or even the King.
Or both..
The new servant buckled in fear when the guards finally shoved him through the heavy doors of the room where King Uther and his dashing son waited for him. The Prince's gaze was hard to read. He seemed stern and demanding, but his lip tugged to reveal a small smirk. His eyes almost looked sorry to see Merlin this way, brought to his knees, unable to move with the weight of the strong steel holding him tight.
The king however, was easy to read. His eyes burned into Merlin's small presence, cold and dark.
"Would you like to explain why you have not held up your duties devoted to my son? " The words cut into him like a knife. He was not used to being talked to so harshly.
"I- Sire, I just didn't know what was expected of me. " Merlin quivered under their gaze. The King seemed annoyed, having to be bothered with this nonsense. Arthur took his fathers attention with a small turn away from Merlin.
"Father, maybe I could show him what he needs to do everyday, and it will be better tomorrow. " The King didn't seem to oppose, and nodded at his son.
"If you think that's best Arthur. "
Uther stood from his throne and exited the room swiftly, not saying another word. Arthur made a motion to the guards with his hand and they moved to unshackle Merlin. He rubbed his wrists in pain and stood up, beginning to apologize to the Prince.
"I'm sorry Arth- Sire, I don't.. "
Merlin was cut off by another sharp wave of the Prince's hand.
"Shut up and follow me. "
And with that, there was silence. They walked side by side through the palace, not daring to look at each other at the same time, scared to catch their eyes. Arthur couldn't help but feel bad for the poor boy, hopeless and small minded, not fit for living in a castle. Arthur felt a strange attraction toward him, and his cheeks went red with shame. Yet the thoughts didn't leave his mind. He yearned to help him, to hold him, to- no.. No that's unholy. Arthur shook his head slightly, ridding the thoughts of his mind, earning a glance from Merlin.
Finally, to break the awkwardness, they reached Arthur's quarters. He stopped short of the door and gestured with a strong arm. "Well, these are my quarters, this is where you will go every morning at 7 A. M. With breakfast on a platter for me."
Merlin stopped from letting a sigh slip from his lips, not favoring the early hours. They entered the large room, Merlin following behind. His mouth agape in awe, admiring the carved stone pillars, the glistening candle sticks, and the embroidery on all luxury fabrics. Arthur couldn't stand this silence, and he closed the space between them, leaning his arm against the wall next to Merlin's head. Taken aback, the servant quivered, uncertain what to do.
Is he going to punish me now? Out of sight from everyone?
Their eyes met, and Arthur new he had to let him know how he felt, even with just a little hint. He didn't want to be too forward, only meeting the boy the other day. The heat blistered between them, as Merlin felt a fire blaze inside him. Oh how he wanted the Prince in this moment. Strands of his blonde hair fell on his forehead, his bicep so effortlessly showing off the muscles, and his soft lips curved into a small smile made the small boy weaker than he's ever felt. Before he had time to take in his strong presence any longer, the Prince crushed his lips against his servant's.
When Arthur drew away, taking time to look at the gorgeous boy in front of him, Merlin caught his breath. Arthur grew hotter as every second passed between them,when Merlin reached his hand up to the Prince's face, daring to go in for another, longer kiss, and especially when he let a small moan escape when they parted for a second time.
Suddenly, Merlin's face grew deep red, and with a small downward glance, Arthur knew why.
How is he so damn cute! Arthur couldn't help himself and indulged his free hand, gently groping Merlin's bulge. Merlin grew even weaker and almost slid down the wall with delightful sparks soaring in his body. The mere sensation of Arthur's hand and the meaningful gaze they held was breathtaking, and Merlin gasped, pressing his hands on the wall behind him for balance.
Seeing this reaction caused another smile, and Arthur didn't waste any time in pressing their lips together again. The Prince had an idea while enveloped in the boiling presence of his servant. He did want to punish him after all, for hiding in the stables all day and not fulfilling his duties.
Suddenly, as if nothing ever happened, the Prince pulled away from Merlin, leaving him speechless. He began to walk towards his desk, grabbing a list of some sort.
"This is what you will need to do everyday. Read it over and memorize it. Oh.. And you might wanna get rid of that.. " Arthur gestured towards Merlin's pants, and the boy almost folded to the ground in embarrasment, earning another smile from the Prince. He wanted so much to keep going, but somehow he knew, they both liked the sensation, the tease.
"Oh.. " Merlin laughed nervously, placing a hand over his crotch, averting his eyes to anywhere but the smoldering man before him. And with that, Arthur slapped the paper to Merlin's chest, forcing him to catch it, and swiftly left his quarters. Merlin took the chance, alone, to let out a huge sigh. This was going to be one hell of a Prince to serve.
Hey y'all! Your awful author here! I really hope you didn't abandon me, I appreciate every single one of you so much you don't even know! In fact, I was about to go to bed when I decided to go on wattpad and glance at my story. Looking at all your comments, I got so sad, letting you all down by not publishing nearly as much as I want to. So I cranked this sucker out and am kinda pleased how it ended up. :) Thank you so much for commenting and voting! Much love!! Elaine❤
