Chapter 4: Chapter 4: Your Punishment Shall Be...
The gentle rays of the morning sun filtered into Arthur's chambers, casting a golden glow across the room. He stirred beneath the silk covers, his small hands rubbing the sleep from his eyes as he sat up, his tousled hair a wild mess. A soft knock on the door broke the silence.
"Good morning, young master," a servant said as they stepped inside with a fresh set of clothes. "Your father wishes for you to join him after breakfast."
Arthur nodded groggily, still half-lost in dreams. His mind wandered back to the events of the day before—his awakening, his father's pride, and Morgana's comforting words. A faint smile played on his lips.
At the dining hall, Arthur found Morgana already seated, nibbling on a piece of bread. She greeted him with a warm smile, pulling him into a quick hug as he approached.
"Good morning, sleepyhead," she teased, ruffling his hair.
Arthur grumbled playfully, swatting her hand away. "Not fair! You always wake up before me."
"Because I'm older, and smarter," Morgana replied with a wink, her tone lighthearted.
The two ate breakfast in peace, their laughter echoing in the grand hall. Despite the cheerful atmosphere, Morgana couldn't shake the tension lingering in the air. She glanced at her brother, who seemed blissfully unaware of the storm brewing around them.
After breakfast, a guard arrived, bowing respectfully. "The King requests your presence in the throne room, Master Arthur, Lady Morgana."
Arthur tilted his head curiously but didn't protest. Morgana, sensing the seriousness in the guard's tone, reached for Arthur's hand.
"Come on, let's see what Father wants," she said, her voice gentle but firm.
As they walked through the castle's corridors, Arthur couldn't help but feel a growing sense of excitement. He always loved spending time with his father, and he hoped today would be no different.
---
The throne room was colder than usual. The grand hall, with its towering pillars and intricate carvings, seemed almost oppressive under the weight of the gathered crowd. Uther sat on his throne, his expression unreadable. Surrounding him were the elders, their faces grim. At the center of the room stood Merlin, his head bowed.
Arthur and Morgana stepped inside, the doors closing behind them with a heavy thud. Arthur's excitement faltered as he looked around, sensing the tension.
"Father?" Arthur called, his small voice cutting through the silence.
Uther's stern gaze softened slightly as he looked at his son. "Come forward, both of you."
They obeyed, walking hand-in-hand toward their father. Uther gestured for them to stop a few paces away, his tone now more formal.
"Arthur, Morgana, I've summoned you here because there is something important you must witness. A matter that concerns our family's future."
Arthur looked up at his father with wide, curious eyes, while Morgana tightened her grip on his hand, her protective instincts flaring.
Uther turned his attention to Merlin, his voice hardening. "Merlin, you stand accused of betrayal. Do you deny it?"
Merlin lifted his head, his gaze calm and unwavering. "I do not, my King."
Arthur's brows furrowed in confusion, and he tugged on Morgana's sleeve. "What's happening with Grandpa Merlin?" he whispered.
Morgana shook her head, her heart sinking as she watched the scene unfold.
Uther's voice rang out, echoing through the hall. "You leaked the news of my son's awakening,a secret that should never have left this house has reached past this continent. Your actions have endangered my son, and the future of this family."
"I did," Merlin admitted, his tone steady. "And I would do it again if it meant ensuring his growth. Arthur must face challenges to reach his potential. He is destined for greatness, and sheltering him will only weaken him."
"Destined for greatness?" Uther's voice cracked with anger, crimson lightning flickering around him. "You've put my son in danger, Merlin!, barely four years old! And for what? Some misguided belief that he needs to suffer to grow?"
Arthur's heart raced as he watched the exchange, his young mind struggling to comprehend. Morgana wrapped an arm around his shoulders, pulling him close.
Uther stared at Merlin, his fury warring with the memories of their long history together. After a long pause, he stood from his throne, his voice low but filled with finality.
"Your punishment shall be this," he declared. "You will be bound to my son through a soul-binding ritual. From this day forward, you will serve him as his protector, his guide, and his shadow. Your life will be his, until the day you draw your last breath."
A murmur rippled through the elders, but none dared to speak.
Merlin dropped to one knee, bowing his head deeply. "My King, I have served this family my entire life. I would give my life for Arthur and Morgana without hesitation. If my actions have caused harm, then I accept whatever punishment you see fit. To serve the Scion of Light will be my highest honor."
---
The ritual began immediately. Uther stood before Merlin and Arthur, invoking ancient magic that had been passed down through the Pendragon bloodline. The room filled with glowing runes, their golden light illuminating every corner.
Arthur watched in awe as the magic swirled around them, though he didn't fully understand what was happening.
As the ritual reached its peak, a tendril of light shot from Uther's hand, connecting Merlin to Arthur. The bond solidified with a brilliant flash, and when the light faded, Merlin knelt before Arthur, his head bowed.
"My life is yours, young master," he said, his voice steady and reverent.
Arthur blinked, his small hand reaching out hesitantly to touch Merlin's shoulder. "Does this mean me and Grandpa are friends now?" he asked innocently.
A faint smile tugged at Merlin's lips. "If that is what you wish, young master."
Uther couldn't help but smile faintly at his son's innocence, the corners of his lips twitching upward as he watched Arthur's small hand rest on Merlin's shoulder. For a moment, the weight of the throne room seemed to lift, replaced by the light of a child's pure-hearted nature.
But then his gaze shifted, falling on Merlin, and the warmth in his expression turned to cold steel. His eyes hardened, and his jaw tightened as the weight of betrayal pressed on him once more.
"You have broken both my heart and my trust, Merlin," Uther said, his voice heavy with both pain and authority. The crackling energy of his crimson lightning flickered briefly around his hands before fading. "But," he continued, his tone softening just enough to show he was choosing his next words carefully, "what you said holds some truth. For all your transgressions, you have always been loyal to the Pendragon family in your own way."
Merlin raised his head slightly, his expression one of deep respect but unyielding resolve. He didn't attempt to defend himself,he had already accepted his punishment,but the spark of his unshakable devotion to the family shone in his eyes.
"As the Scion of Fire," Uther continued, his tone sharp and resolute, "no one is better fitted to guide Arthur once he awakens his avatar. You will teach him, protect him, and prepare him for the trials ahead. Your betrayal may have earned you punishment, but your power and knowledge will not go to waste."
Merlin bowed his head again, his voice steady as he replied, "I will devote every moment of my life to ensure Arthur reaches his potential. My power, my knowledge, and my very soul are his to command."
Arthur, still clutching Merlin's shoulder, looked up at his father with wide, curious eyes. "What's an avatar, Father?" he asked, tilting his head slightly.
Uther's expression softened briefly as he looked down at his son. "You'll understand when the time comes, Arthur. For now, it is enough to know that you are special, more than you can imagine."
Arthur's brow furrowed as he tried to piece together his father's words. "But… Grandpa's going to teach me, right? So it'll be okay?"
Uther nodded slowly, his gaze flickering back to Merlin. "Yes, Arthur. He will teach you. He will help you become strong."
---
The meeting came to an end soon after, and the elders quietly dispersed, their expressions a mix of relief and apprehension. Morgana, who had been silent throughout the entire ordeal, finally approached Arthur and pulled him into a tight hug.
"You're going to be okay pipsqueak," she whispered fiercely, her protective instincts burning brighter than ever. "No one will ever hurt you, not while I'm here."
Arthur looked up at her, a bright smile breaking across his face. "And Grandpa will help too!"
Merlin stood nearby, silent but watchful. His punishment might have tied him to Arthur as a servant, but in his heart, he had always seen his purpose as serving the boy. Being soul-bound to him only made that purpose clearer.
As Uther dismissed them all, he lingered in the throne room for a moment longer, staring at the seat beside his own,the one that had once belonged to Igraine. He exhaled slowly, his fists clenching.
"Arthur," he murmured under his breath, "I will do whatever it takes to protect you… even from the ghosts of our past."
A few hours after the sentencing, the grand halls of Camelot had quieted. The weight of what had transpired lingered in the air like an invisible storm, and Uther sat alone in his study. The flickering glow of a single lantern cast sharp shadows across the walls, his crimson cloak draped loosely over his broad shoulders as he stared into the flames of the hearth. His mind was a battlefield, torn between his duty as a king and his love as a father.
The heavy creak of the door broke the silence, and Uther's gaze snapped toward it. Merlin stepped inside, his expression calm yet resolute. The faint orange light of the fire reflected in his eyes, highlighting the determination etched into his features.
Uther's jaw tightened as he leaned back in his chair, folding his arms across his chest. "What is it, Merlin? Come to test my patience further?"
Merlin shook his head, stepping closer until he stood just before Uther's desk. "I've come to ask your permission, my king," he began, his voice measured. "To begin Arthur's training immediately."
Uther's eyes narrowed, the tension in the room thickening. "Training? He's a child, Merlin. He doesn't even understand what it means to be a Scion, let alone the weight that title carries."
"All the more reason to start now," Merlin countered, his tone respectful but firm. "Arthur is special, Uther. You know that better than anyone. The longer we delay, the harder it will be for him to grow into the man he's destined to become. The world won't wait for him to mature at his own pace."
Uther's fingers tapped against the armrest of his chair, the sound echoing softly in the room. His gaze bore into Merlin, searching for any sign of ulterior motive, but all he found was unwavering loyalty.
"He's only four, threats from outside the human domain have remained dormant in recent years and the other ruling families can't do much even if they now know of his affinity, he'll have plenty of time to grow, both here and when he begins his academy years," Uther said finally, his voice quieter, almost reluctant. "Do you know what you're asking of him?"
"I do," Merlin replied. "And I swear to you, I will not push him beyond what he can handle. But I must prepare him. Not just for himself, but for this kingdom,for everything you've built, everything Igraine believed in. Arthur carries more than just the Pendragon name; he carries the future of us all."
The mention of Igraine caused Uther's jaw to clench, and he turned his gaze to the window, where the sun hung high in the sky. A long silence stretched between them, filled only by the crackle of the fire.
Finally, Uther exhaled deeply, his shoulders sagging ever so slightly. "Fine," he said, his tone heavy with resignation. "But you'll start with the basics,nothing more. He's to remain a child as long as possible. If I find you pushing him too hard.."
"I won't," Merlin interrupted, bowing his head slightly. "You have my word."
Uther scoffed at Merlin's words as he rose from his chair, his imposing frame casting a long shadow over Merlin. "Your words hold little value to me now. Oh and Merlin.."
Merlin looked up, meeting Uther's sharp gaze.
"Do not forget your place," Uther said, his voice now low and cold. "You may be bound to Arthur, but you answer to me."
Merlin nodded solemnly. "Always, my king."
With that, Uther dismissed him with a wave of his hand, and Merlin turned to leave. As the door closed behind him, Uther sank back into his chair, rubbing a hand over his face.
"Arthur," he murmured to himself, his voice barely audible over the crackling flames. "Forgive me for the burdens I'm placing on your shoulders."