whump & hurt/comfort

As he stood by his throne, people gathered for the trial the guards at the front opened the door and flanked by two guards Merlin was brought in.

Merlin looked smaller as he was somewhat dragged into the room, Arthur's heart clenched he had told them to be gentle but it seemed as if the guards had not listened.

This wasn't some dangerous criminal, it was Merlin, his dearest friend, who had risked his life to safe Arthur's countless times.

As the guards stopped, Merlin stood and looked up at the king, with his wrists bound in front of him, and the two guards holding his arms.

Arthur having finally pulled himself together took a breath and begun to speak.

"Merlin of Ealdor you are charged with using sorcery in the heart of the citadel during an attack by an assassin sent by Morgana. How do you plead?" Arthur asked trying not to let his voice tremble.

He looked at the man he loved who was shackled in chains beneath his stare, and he didn't see fear, he saw trust? After all this did Merlin still have faith in him?

"I did it, it is true I used magic, but I use it for you, Arthur. Only for you, everything I do is for you. I had to protect you. I couldn't let him kill you, I would sooner die then allow harm to come to you," Merlin said almost proudly from the floor.

"Merlin, you were seen by myself and three royal guards using magic, and whatever your intentions may be it doesn't change the fact that you broke the law, and put yourself at risk of corruption via magic. But I know you Merlin. You are a good person, a kind, generous, brave and loyal man, who here would agree with me that Merlin is deserving of mercy?" he stated and murmurs of yes, and agreement echoed through the chambers.

Arthur could never kill Merlin, he wouldn't under any circumstances the man could threaten his life, and he'd refuse to harm a hair on his head.

Yet Arthur couldn't let this go unchecked, he'd seen what magic did to people, to good people. People like his sister, whom was so good and kind when she was younger, yet twisted and cruel now from magic's taint.

If Arthur banished Merlin then he would lose him, he would undoubtedly still use his magic likely in a misguided attempt to protect him from afar and then he would end up lost forever.

Merlin looked at him hopefully, and Arthur sighed, Merlin was not going to like this, but he refused to lose him as he did Morgana.

Not when he could still save him. Not when he could save the man he loved from a horrible end of corruption and fear.

"So it is by my decree that Merlin shall no longer use magic. To ensure this, you will be bound with cold iron cuffs as used to suppress sorcerer's magic in the past and you will be allowed to continue working and living here as is normal. Though your actions may have been noble, I will not allow you to be corrupted by this force," he stated as firmly as possible but he saw the look of absolute devastation on Merlin's face and couldn't help but feel terribly guilty.

He wanted to say, 'no I'm sorry, I won't it's okay I won't…' But he knew that this was for Merlin's own good, his protection, his soul. He could save him and he would, he would protect his Merlin even if he hated him for it.

After all an angry Merlin was better then one lost to magic or dead.

"I- I sire, your majesty please, I- I can't live without my magic, it's who I am, please I'm begging you give me a chance, I can prove to you that it is good, that I am good, please you have to believe I would never hurt you. I would NEVER betray you!" Merlin pleaded on the floor desperately as he stood bound between the guards.

Arthur walked forward removing the two small cold iron cuffs that looked almost like bracelets from the box that he'd had fashioned by a blacksmith earlier.

They had soft leather padding on the inside of the cuffs, so they wouldn't chaff or irritate his skin. After all it was meant to protect Merlin, to prevent him from using magic not harm him, he never wanted to harm Merlin.

The rest of the court had left the chambers after the verdict was declared leaving only him, Merlin and the two guards holding him up.

"Please, please A-Arthur I'm begging you, I can't do this, please," Merlin pleaded once more tears now pouring out his eyes, and how hated himself for making Merlin cry yet deep down he was certain he was doing the right thing.

He had to stay strong. For Merlin, he was doing this for Merlin.

"I know you're upset, and you're scared but this is for the best. I am doing this to help you. You do not need magic, you will be fine without it, and you will be saved, and you will remain at my side where you belong."

He gently took Merlin's right arm, removing the old iron cuff that Merlin was locked in, something that had dampened his magic but not removed it. No this would cut off the magic permanently, saving him from the danger he was in.

Even though Merlin couldn't see it, he couldn't see the way the magic already had a partial hold, digging in begging for freedom as it tried to taint the most pure and wonderful man Arthur knew.

Merlin had stopped speaking, but the hiccuping tears continued.

Arthur was almost done, he'd almost protected his Merlin, as he placed the cuff on his right wrist, locking it with a key. A moment later repeating the action with his left hand, gently.

Merlin swayed as the guards released him and Arthur gently took his hand.

"Leave us," he ordered and the guards quickly left the chambers.

"I know you're upset with me, but this truly is for your own good. Now come with me I've had your things moved from Gaius's chambers to my antechamber, you'll be staying there with me now, let's go," he ordered lightly holding Merlin's hand.

"You want me there cause you don't trust me now..?" Merlin whispered softly his voice hoarse from the tears and Arthur frowned.

"Merlin, It's not that I distrust you, you did what you thought was right to protect me and the kingdom, to protect those that you love. But magic is dangerous, it'll destroy you if you aren't careful, I can't let you to end up like Morgana, not when I can to save you, and I will save you," he stated carefully.

Merlin looked down at the floor still looking uneasy on his feet, Arthur pulled him close placing a hand behind his back and starting to guide him out the court room upstairs to his chambers.

As they slowly meandered up the winding stairs, Arthur noticed how quiet he was, it was terribly unlike him, and he wished he could speak.

Arthur knew though it would be a long road to Merlin getting better and no longer thinking or relying on magic, but it would be worth it.

Arthur would help his friend get back to his old self, and one day all would be well again.

As they reached the top of stairs and walked to the outside of his chambers. Arthur sighed, carefully opening the door pulling Merlin in.

Grabbing out a chair from the table he lightly pushed Merlin down onto it. The man still hadn't said a word they'd begun their journey up to his, well he supposed their chambers now, in a manner of speaking.

"You just wait here for a moment, I'm gonna to send for some dinner, and then a bath I'm sure you wish to clean off the dungeon grime. Heaven knows you need it," he teased half heartedly but still Merlin did not respond.

He sighed, clearly his head for a moment before he stepped outside and ordered some servants to send up two proper meals.

Not much later, a couple servants came in and placed two hearty meals on the table from them both.

Arthur sat down across from Merlin and began to eat his supper. Yet Merlin sat aimlessly staring at the wall not eating. After waiting for a little while Arthur began to become irritated.

He knew Melrin was upset with him however he couldn't just refuse to eat to spite him, he had to eat the food.

Merlin was thin enough as it was, he couldn't just go without food for hours on end, as he likely had earlier as the guards said he'd refused any food brought to him.

"Please Merlin, I understand you're upset but you must eat, you can't act like a petulant child this is for your own good, now eat," he ordered his frustration leaking into his voice.

Merlin flinched at his tone and Arthur fell back guilt seeping through his body.

It's for his health, his safety, his life, just be calm, he ordered his mind. As he continued eating his meal, Merlin ate alongside him albeit slowly and without looking at him.

"Thank you sire…" Merlin said in a monotone voice, that Arthur loathed, as he pushed away his food after he finished the meal.

Although he did not eat much of it, Arthur was hopeful that he would eat more tomorrow after all they'd both had a long day. Merlin simply needed to get used to this new existence and soon enough things would be well on their way to the new normal.

As two servants came in and ushered away the plates, he called for a bath to be prepared for Merlin to use.

Arthur himself did not need one but Merlin was covered in grime, and had some cuts and bruises that needed to be cleaned lest they get infected.

A little while later, with a hot steaming bath ready, Arthur walked over to his friend and knelt by him.

"Merlin, the bath is ready for you, here let me help you," he said offering a hand.

Merlin didn't take it but stood up and removed his clothes by the tub, and looking at the steaming water, he reluctantly took the offered hand to help him get in without tripping.

He had allowed him to use a bath in the past on occasion, a rare perk for a peasant, but often used under the excuse of thinking Merlin smelled and needed to clean himself properly.

So it wasn't as if they'd never seen each other naked before, but this time felt different.

This time the roles were very much reversed, as Arthur had helped his manservant in the tub, then began, gently washing away the grime.

Taking tender care to not irritate the scrapes and bruises Merlin had gotten in the attack and afterwards.

Merlin still said not a word as he continue to help him clean, then rubbing some salve on the cuts over his back, after helping him out of the tub.

Merlin allowed him to finish covering the wounds on his back and wrists.

Then after Merlin dried off, Arthur handed him some clothes to wear for the night, softer higher quality hand offs from him.

"Sleep well Merlin, I shall see you in the morning," he said softly, as Merlin walked into the ante-chamber, a simply nod in return from the man refusing to meet his eyes uncharacteristically subservient for the man he knew.

He knew it was going to continue to be hard, but over time things would improve and one day Merlin would thank him for taking care of him. For protecting and saving him as he should've done with Morgana.