Consequences (Merlin,Arthur,Uther)

[kinguthersqueen]

Uther had put up with Merlin's clumsiness, ineptness and making a mess of things for nearly three whole years now. He really had no idea why Arthur kept the boy around, he was a terrible servant who screwed up most of what he did and didn't even respesct his master. He'd heard him several times call Arthur by his name instead of 'sire' and Arthur yelling at him was a daily occurance around the castle. Arthur always promised to control him better, but somehow, it never seemed to happen.


This most recent incident, however, had been the final straw. It hadn't taken long for word to reach Uther about Merlin first shirking his duties, then letting a sorcerer escape. The king didn't buy the story about the old man being too fast for the boy, and suspected there was something more going on, though he wasn't sure just what. Whatever the reason, he had decided that Merlin needed a sterner reprimand than just another session in the stocks.

Because of that, Uther had ordered Merlin and Arthur both to come before him in the great hall, so that he could talk to them both. He waited, pacing now and then, already sure of what he was going to say when the guards brought the two of them in.

[Arthur Pendragon]

Arthur still had a great deal of confusion in him over the events of the last few days -- or day really. Who was that sorcery? Why had he claimed to enchant Gwen and Arthur, when both of them knew that their feelings for one another were completely genuine? It did not make any sense, and yet Arthur could not question it because it had literally saved Guinevère's life. Had that old man not appeared, then Gwen would be burning at the stake right now.

That was an image that Arthur could never see; he would have done whatever it took to stop it. And yet, somehow, miraculously, this man had come from thin air, claiming responsibility for false crimes against Gwen. It only made the Prince wonder what the real effect of the magic was. Had it done something else, since it was clearly not an enchantment? All these thoughts made Arthur curious, but the most important thing was that Guinevère was alive, safe and still in Camelot. That was all that mattered to him.

Which was why when the guards told him that his father sent for him, Arthur grew fearful. Of course, he remained calm, cool and collected on the surface, but inside, he was afraid. He was afraid that something had happened, endangering Gwen's life again. That somehow, his father had found out that he was not enchanted. Or that he still blamed Gwen for the sorcery. If Merlin had caught that damn sorcerer then they would not have this problem! His father would have burned him, and been satisfied that it was one less sorcerer to worry himself with.

But right now, all Arthur could think about was why his father had demanded his presence. A million thoughts raced through his mind, each one filling him with more and more fear. It was not until he arrived outside the doors, about to open them, that he saw Merlin approaching too. Merlin?! What the hell was he doing here? It did however give Arthur the faintest bit of hope that this had nothing to do with Guinevère. The prince shot his servant a bit of a curious, and irritated look. Well, at least Merlin had taken a bath after mucking out the stables.

He would not have wanted his father to be in the same room as him when filled with horse dung. With that relieved thought, Arthur opened the doors and walked inside. "Sire," he greeted as properly as he could. He knew he had to keep up appearances but it was extremely difficult to do so . . . after everything his father had done, and almost did, to the woman that Arthur loved. For her sake though, he act to act normal, and he would do anything to protect her.

[pie]

When a guard had come to Gaius' chambers, saying the king wanted to see him, Merlin couldn't hide his fear from appearing on his face. What did the king want? Had he realized that he was the sorcerer behind the old man? Or was it something else? Why did Uther want to see him?? Whatever it could be, Merlin didn't feel that it was a good thing! The king never wanted to see him -- he was just a servant!

He didn't let Gaius see the fear etched on his face, he composed himself as best as he could before giving him a look as he head out the door. He had the feeling that Gaius could detect the worry in that look, however. The man knew him so well. He wanted to go slowly, but if the king was angry with him, he didn't want to be late. But shouldn't he act like nothing was wrong? Like his usual self?

No matter what he thought, he couldn't stop his feet from hurrying along, walking through the castle halls and towards where the king was. And when he got there, he saw Arthur was also there. What was this about, than? At the Prince's look, Merlin just gave a small, confused shrug, telling him he had no idea what this was about.

And then he entered behind him, now walking slowly, as if regretting his coming here. He managed to look respectful -- or as best as he could! -- and kept his eyes downwards, even gave the king a bow. Still... he couldn't keep the pit of fear from rising. He would have spoken, but he feared his voice would crack.

[kinguthersqueen]

Uther watched as the two came in. He had a lot to say to both of them, really, but some of his words to Arthur would be in private, between the two of them. He would only say here what applied to the two of them together.


" I've been informed of what happened earlier when the sorcerer escaped" Uther said. "...Merlin, is it? It's obviously the guards' job to chase down criminals and prevent escapes, but I am still unhappy with what I've heard. If the story is correct, you allowed him to escape? You say you gave chase, but he was too fast for you. I don't see how that's possible, since he was an old man and you are quite young."

To Arthur, he said "I honestly don't know why you even keep him around at times. I'd have gotten rid of him long ago if he were one of my servants. I assume you've done your best to get him to behave, and if he truly has a mental impairment of some sort, I cannot fault you as much as I would otherwise. But, this time, he's crossed a line, I believe. I am beginning to think that this time, a more severe form of discipline might be warrented than just another session in the stocks."

His eyes went between prince and servant. "Do either of you have anything to say about this matter?"

[Arthur Pendragon]

Oh. It was about the sorcerer. Well that was a relief . . . and yet, something in his father's tone told him that he was not going to be so quick to let it go. Arthur did not want someone else to be punished for this entire thing and he had a feeling that the King was planning to deal with the situation, or Merlin letting the sorcerer go. While Arthur believed it was because his idiot servant was drunk, or recovering from his day at the tavern . . . he also trusted him. And knew there had to be a more logical explanation. So would try to defend him, and prevent further harm coming to those he cared about, especially servants.

Arthur had to keep his tone formal, not wanting to show too much emotion. He did not want his father thinking that someone had enchanted him . . . with Merlin . . . god knows what the King now thought possible. "Sire, I understand your frustration with him right now, but the man was a sorcerer. Perhaps he used magic to disappear, just as he had intensified the fire at the stake." Arthur was trying to find alternative possibilities, if just to save Merlin from his father's wrath. The stocks was one thing, but what did the king mean when he said more severe punishment? The dungeon? Banishment? Execution? No. Arthur could not let someone else get hurt because of him, which is why he had to take responsibility for this. His father may punish him, but execution would never be one of the penalties for the Prince.

"It is my duty to protect Camelot, and therefore it was my failure in capturing the sorcerer. We searched the entire castle, and as you said, he was an old man, unable to run quickly which only leads me to assume that he used magic to escape. Meaning that even if Merlin had tried to stop him, he would have been outmatched." He was trying to defend his servant, without overly personalizing his motives for doing so. He had already been at somewhat odds with his father -- even though his perceived notion that Arthur had been enchanted seemed to have earned his understanding and forgiveness-- though he knew that he still would have to tread very carefully.

[kinguthersqueen]

Uther had begun to suspect more and more about Arthur's interaction with Gwen. Perhaps it was not entirely a spell. Perhaps it was only partially, so, and the spell had intensified whatever was already there. Uther could not stand for his son endangering all of Camelot to marry a mere servant girl. He would throw away the kingdom's chances for alliances and political standing all for a foolish emotion of love. And even if he were sensible enough not to marry her, he still had done this too many times. It was time to ensure it never happened again.

"I believe that there was an enchantment on you. Bit do not believe that your actions were entirely dictated by it. I believe that some of your feelings are real.This is the third time you have let your foolish urges dictate your actions instead of your head, and I have had enough of it.

You are more intelligent and capable than that, and it is time you were given a punishement that will stay with you longer than a simple day in the dungeon. You will be confined there for a week. And if you choose to argue with me, the time will be longer. You will also recieve five lashes, to ensure that the lesson stays with you. I will not hear of such foolish attachments happening again, or the punishment will be worse."

He did not order Arthur taken away yet, but waited to see what Merlin had to say for himself. He wanted Arthur to hear everything before he was given his punishment.

[pie]

It was a miracle -- or perhaps not--! Merlin had been shocked silent. There wasn't really much he could do to change the king's mind, he was just a lowly servant, and Uther didn't care what he had to say because of his low status. Arthur was trying to help, it seemed, and Merlin had to resist the strong temptation to bolt out of the room, or hide behind the Prince. "A more severe form of discipline"? Merlin's mind swirled around the possibilities of what that meant. The stocks weren't enough? True, it was just rotten vegetables, but it still hurt when hit, yes! But what could the king have in mind?

He was afraid to find out...

Did he have anything to say about this? Hell yeah! Would he speak what? He couldn't get any noise to come out from his throat. The only sound that came out was a small croaking-groan. Oh why was this happening? He tried to help and always something went wrong! This time perhaps too much!

It appeared that nothing Arthur said would affect Uther's decision. But... did it just make it worse, or had Uther already decided that because of the whole Arthur/Gwen thing?! Merlin's eyes flew wide, and passed quickly between the King and the Prince. So when Uther finished speaking, obviously waiting for him to say something about his end of the deal, Merlin was still shocked, but this time, the added surprise allowed him to talk.

"No!" he exclaimed. "You can't do that to him! Nothing was his fault, it was all the sorcerer's! Like you said, magic is evil! It can't be trusted! None of Arthur's feelings for Gwen are real! I'd know, I'm around him all the time almost! They're just friendly acquaintances, that's all! Besides, who will teach the Knights during that week? Surely they need Arthur! And what will the people think?!

"Just... punish me still, and I will take Arthur's punishment!" his words came out quickly, sincerely, and desperately.

[Arthur Pendragon]

Arthur said nothing. What could he say? He could not risk telling his father the full truth. That day when they were caught in the woods, Uther had believed that Arthur was just a hormonal young man, wanting that sort of impersonal intimacy with a woman. And now . . . for the one time he was not enchanted, he would be punished for it. Still. If it meant that Guinevère was safe then he would silently -- and gladly -- take any necessary punishment. Her safety and well being was the most important thing to him, but of course he dare not admit this to the king. If five lashes and a week in the dungeon was what he had to do, then so be it. "Yes Sire," he said in a very formal voice, not wanting to argue and therefore, risk making his punishment any severe than it already was.

But it was not only his punishment that he was worried about . . . it was Merlin's too. Surely his father would not do anything drastic to his servant? Arthur turned to Merlin when he objected, offering to take the punishment, and Arthur wished right then and there he could silence him. While he appreciated Merlin's efforts -- more than Arthur could say -- he knew it could only risk getting him in more trouble. The Prince could not be sentenced to death; Merlin could. "Merlin," he said, a bit through gritted teeth, trying to tell him to stop talking! He would not let his servant suffer more than whatever his father was going to do, because of him defending Arthur, and speaking on his behalf. Arthur was not sure he could continue to live with such guilt.

"Father I am willing to take any punishment you deem fit for my actions, however I must request that you not punish Merlin for his. He was defenseless against the sorcerer and it would have only cost him his life had he tried to stand against him." The king would definitely not listen to Merlin, but there was a slight possibility that he would listen to his son. "Please," he said in a lower voice, with an underlying pleading tone. He did not want to sound too emotional, but at the same time, had to allow a bit of emotion to escape in his words so his father understood where he was coming from. "I do not think any more servants need be punished because of magic and sorcery beyond their control." He purposely used the word servants, so that he did not personalize his relationship with them . . . and to also show his father that they were still people, even if they were lower in rank. His father had not listened to him about Guinevère, but he still hoped that there was some chance he would listen to him about this.

[kinguthersqueen]

Uther listened to the two of them speak, first Merlin and then Arthur. The servant was pleading with him to take Arthur's punishment, and then Arthur's pleas were rather similar, to punish him but let Merlin go. Arthur was willing to accept his punishment, and had known better than to disagree with him. He hated to see his son hurt, and it would pain him greatly, but he had to be taught a lesson.

"I have half a mind to order the girl flogged as well, but I think she has learned her lesson. Hopefully we will not have to have this discussion again. It will pain me to see you hurt, but I know that it will make you stronger and the scars you carry will remind you of how important it is to control your actions.

"It is admirable, your devotion to your master." he told Merlin."Arthur does indeed have a valid point about the danger, and the risk of life. I wouldn't expect a servant to react to danger in the same way as a trained guard. Still, I cannot completely discard the idea that you may have been aiding him to escape. I certainly hope not, because you would be risking death.

There is still the matter of what I've been told about you apparently shirking your duties. If I were Arthur, I would have fired you long ago. I think he deserves better hired help. I do indulge him not forcing the matter. It is possible you may have some form of mental deficency, and you can't be faulted if you do. But I do not believe it is as severe as it seems sometimes, I just believe that Arthur has been a bit too lenient with you. I think that if you recieve some proper discipline for once, as Arthur should have done long ago, you will think twice before misbehaving again. I will not have embarrasment for myself and my son by inept servants getting drunk at the tavern. You will recieve ten lashes. And Arthur, see that you discipline him properly in the future. He is your responsiblity."

Uther didn't much care about Merlin, but he did hope that Arthur learned a lesson from this experience and thought things through better in the future. He nodded to the guards, anxious to get the phsyical part of the punishments over with as quickly as possible. He expected a bit of protest, although he had on an expression that said he wasn't in the mood to negotiate with either of them.