Obeisance by Casspeach (PG-13)

[laceymcbain.livejournal.com]

Fandom: MERLIN
Pairing: Merlin/Arthur (only a smidge slashier than canon really; nothing explicit)
Length: ~5841 words
Author on LJ: casspeach
Author Website: Casspeach.com
Why this must be read: There's something about fierce loyalty and protectiveness that does it for me (and a lot of other people) every time. So, I'm going to be recommending a handful of stories that feature Protective!Arthur, who invariably becomes Possessive!Arthur, which often leads to Arthur getting a clue about his real feelings towards his manservant, and more often than not ends up with Arthur challenging somebody with a sword over Merlin.

(No subtext in this fandom. Not at all.)

Also, this is a fandom with a MANSERVANT. And there was a Knee-Walking Challenge. "Do you know how to walk on your knees, Merlin?" is a canonical line from Episode 1. There can really be nothing bad from the combination of these things. Go forth and read.



For the first time ever, Arthur's annoyed that there's a courtly code of conduct, because he doesn't want to challenge Sprowston to a nice polite duel with swords. He wants to use his fists, until Sprowston's face looks like Merlin's knees. He can see it vividly in his mind's eye, Sprowston crying and begging for mercy in a way Merlin almost certainly didn't. He cleans Merlin's back with a care quite out of keeping with his murderous thoughts. He wishes he could wash away the pain and the marks, because letting Sprowston anywhere near Merlin was his mistake and it isn't right that it should be his servant who has to suffer for it.

Merlin apparently doesn't need any help picking the grit out of his knees. Before Arthur can snatch up his gauntlet and go looking for Sprowston, Merlin puts a damp, hesitant hand on Arthur's arm. It's deeply inappropriate of him to touch Arthur like that, and it feels even more so because he leaves it there. Arthur would say something, tut or roll his eyes at the very least on any other day.

"You don't need to call him out on my account," Merlin says. "I know you're always telling me I'm a girl, but I'm really not some wronged damsel."

"No, you're not," Arthur agrees. "You're my servant, and he's returned you in no fit state to serve me. It's the principle of the thing, just as if he'd borrowed my horse and spurred her bloody, or beaten my dog." Merlin scratches a hand at the back of his head, and his mouth twists as he obviously tries not to laugh. Arthur feels his face heat; he hates it when he speaks before he thinks and something idiotic comes out of his mouth, even if it is only Merlin who hears it. "I meant for that to be reassuring," he says.


Read the story and feedback the author: Obeisance