Scars Untold (Merthur)

Part 1

The sun was at it's highest in the mid-summer's day as the birds were chirping around the Kingdom. Outside the citadel the tolling of the bell's morning song filled everyone's ears along with excited shouts of the children as they saw jugglers and acrobats doing their normal tricks and on the inside the chatter and footsteps filled the castle as everyone got ready for today. Today was the day where everyone was joyful and in mood of a celebration 

Even King Arthur himself was roaming through the lower town greeting his citizens as they bowed in respect. The children looked at the knights with wonder and curiosity some hoping to be like them one day and some just fascinated at the sight of them like something out of a tale. Some children even wished the King a happy birthday and getting a sweet response by him, so they could boost about it to their friends that they had met the king

Indeed it was the King of Camelot's first birthday since he had gotten that title and the Kingdom was ecstatic to say the least. And the same chaos was going on in the castle as everyone was getting ready for the arrival of royal families from a far as they were to reach here by this afternoon to greet the youngest King and congratulate him

A certain manservant was sitting in his room reading his usual books on how to improve his powers while also using his powers to do his chores as Excalibur was floating in mid air being polished and similar situation with Arthur's armour. Suddenly, the door burst open revealing Lancelot as the sword and fell down instantly, a clatter noise filling his chambers and Merlin let out a sigh 

"Your lucky that i opened the door Merlin," Lancelot questioned him glaring at the metals and then at him "How can you use it so carelessly?" 

Merlin was confused at why but then quickly threw the book under his bed as he heard the King's voice who had returned from his errands. He nodded a thank you to Lancelot before following after him making his way to Arthur 

"Can you for once complete your chores?" Arthur asked 

"That's what i wa-" But before Merlin could defend himself Arthur beat him to it 

"Leave it," Arthur said "Come with me i need to get ready for their arrival,"

Arthur went out of the door as he screamed for Merlin again. Merlin let out a heavy sigh as he followed Arthur bidding Lancelot farewell after muttering to himself about how much of an incompetent idiot is Arthur Pendragon. But he couldn't help but get a warm feeling when ever he was around Arthur which he always seemed to ignore but it was getting harder to everyday. What he of course didn't know that a certain king wished that his manservant would return the same feelings 

Arthur threw open the doors to his chambers as he went inside taking his cloak off and tossing it on the arm chair on the other hand, Merlin threw him a black tunic and with a red jacket

"Merlin?"  Arthur called in annoyance "What impression does this give?"

Merlin saw as he popped his out of the panel screen seeing him pointing to a hole in his tunic towards the arms 

"That we have a serious case moths," Merlin shrugged 

"Just give me another will you?" Arthur rolled his eyes 

"Yeah," Merlin sighed 

He threw Arthur tunic in the colour red this time, taking his other clothes and throwing it into the laundry knowing that he would clean them afterwards 

"You are rather quite today," Arthur asked him as he fixed his hair in the mirror "Everything alright?"

"When i talk to much you say to be quite," Merlin ranted again "When i am quite you say i don't talk. Why can't you be happy for once?"

"Today you aren't as annoying," Arthur replied 

"Of course," Merlin said sounding more chirpy then he intended to "Nothing to fuss over,"

Before Arthur could say anything, there was a knock at the door and a guard came in, informing him that the royals are almost here. Arthur glanced one more time in the mirror before grabbing his crown and cloak before dragging Merlin along with him

Everyone stood on the steps of the castle as the royal families had arrives one by one greeted by Arthur himself. Once he had greeted everyone, servants were assigned to show them their respective chambers for their stay. Merlin was allocated to Lord Victor from North Ambreia, he didn't look so good but nonetheless Merlin had to follow orders. Giving Arthur a glance he took the trunk of Victor 

"Follow me Sire," Merlin told him and Victor grunted a response 

As his encounter with other noblemen who didn't treat him well, he wasn't expecting any different from Victor. He still the fresh whip marks from the almost two weeks when he was assigned to one of the other lords, and he couldn't tell anyone and he exactly couldn't steal herbs from Gauis because the  physician would notice the latter missing, so he just bandaged them before they could infected

Merlin open the door to the chambers as he reached and took the trunk inside setting in the corner as he straighten his back. Before he could say anything, Victor pushed Merlin aside resulting in him colliding with the wall, hitting his back and he hissed as he felt his wounds pressed up against the wall and Victor had one hands around the young man's throat 

"P-please," Merlin stuttered as he clawed at Victor's hand 

"Look me in the eyes when i talk," Victor spat at him "Useless peasant,"

He let Merlin go but not before shoving him against the door again making him whimper in pain. He shouted at Merlin to get out and Merlin didn't wait a second a longer before dashing out of his chambers and into the corridors of the castle. He was regaining his breathing when he suddenly bumped into someone and both of them were on the floor 

Merlin looked up at who he mumbled into and started to mutter apology as he got up and offered a hand to Gwen

"It's quite alright Mer-," Gwen stopped as she took in the appearance of the warlock with a gasp

From the lack of oxygen for a few seconds his eyes were red and there was a prominent hand mark on his neck where the neckerchief had loosened

"Merlin?" Gwen questioned him "Are you alright?"

"Yes," Merlin lied "I am perfectly fine,"

Gwen knew better then to push the warlock if he didn't want to tell but she still worried for her friend "You can trust me Merlin," she smiled before walking away from him 

As Arthur was busy with meeting all afternoon till dinner, Merlin had gotten the time off so he thought of completing his chores. When he went to Arthur's room to retrieve the laundry basket did he catch a glimpse of him in the mirror. Now he saw why Gwen gasped when she saw him, his eyes were a little red and their was a bruise on his neck from where Victor had chocked him. Merlin just tightened his neckerchief and took the laundry basket down to wash them