Desperate Times Call for Desperate Measures

[brunettepet.livejournal.com]

Author: brunettepet
Title: Desperate Times Call for Desperate Measures
Rating: PG
Pairing/s: Arthur/Merlin if you squint
Character/s: Arthur, Merlin, Gaius, Uther
Word Count: 200
Prompt: 127, Protect


Morgana had cursed Uther to see treason at every turn. The King had Arthur, Gwaine, Lancelot and Leon in line for the chopping block in under an hour. He turned a deaf ear to Gaius’s increasingly desperate assertions that the sentences were influenced by magic.

Arthur thought it might happen one day but he hadn’t expected Merlin to be so spectacularly blatant. This was no fortuitous tree branch or rock fall. Merlin cast a blazing counter spell in full view of the court.

“He saved me, father, surely you can see he is an asset to Camelot,” Arthur bargained.

Uther was enraged but recognized that without the sorcerer’s interference he would have watched four innocent men put to death, including his own son.

Grudgingly, he gave in to Arthur’s pleas for mercy, but insisted the boy be fitted with a collar of cold iron to keep him from using magic. “Unless it is demanded of you by your King,” Uther declared. Merlin’s “Yes, sire” rang through the court.

Later, in the Prince’s chambers, Arthur reassured, “It will be different when I am King. You will help me protect my people when I rule.”

“As long as I live,” Merlin answered.

Comments

[bunnysworld.livejournal.com]

*kicks Uther*

[brunettepet.livejournal.com]

*kicks him some more and wishes he was dead already*

Thanks for reading!

[candymacaron.livejournal.com]

The idea of Uther keeping Merlin in a collar is vile. 0_0
I liked how Merlin used his magic openly, and without hesitation, to save the people he cares about. Nice. :)

[brunettepet.livejournal.com]

This double drabble was super clunky but I could see the events unfolding and didn't find the time to elaborate so stuck to the drabble idea. You're right about Uther's enslavement of Merlin's power. I think in the right circumstances, he would keep a sorcerer as a weapon and Merlin wouldn't hesitate being unleashed if it might mean saving people he loves.

[archaeologist-d.livejournal.com]

Good thing Uther saw reason once the enchantment was lifted. Good job with this.

[brunettepet.livejournal.com]

It was a close call for all concerned and another event that proves "magic is evil" in Uther's book.

Thanks for reading!

[hart-d.livejournal.com]

Your drabbles are always so clever! This is a great plot and believable, too.

[brunettepet.livejournal.com]

I wish I had the talent to elaborate on these ideas but the drabbles are a really fun exercise. I'm glad you're enjoying them.

[clea2011]

This is a great idea, and the thought of Uther demanding Merlin's power in the future is worrying. Let's hope Arthur is king soon.

[brunettepet.livejournal.com]

I'm pretty sure that Merlin won't do anything he doesn't feel is right, so I think Uther would have a fight on his hands if he demanded something outside Merlin's moral code. I hope it doesn't come to that.

Thanks for reading.

[aeris444.livejournal.com]

I hate Uther!

But I'm sure Arthur will take care of Merlin and even more when he'll be King!

[brunettepet.livejournal.com]

I bet Merlin's just biding his time until Arthur's coronation but he still wouldn't do anything to make it come any quicker.

Thanks for reading!