Chapter Text
Arthur Pendragon had the perfect life if you asked anyone in Camelot. Crown Prince, head knight, and a father who boasts about him. But he would counter it with saying that wasn't completely true. His father hated magic, hated it was such a passion he would kill innocent children. Uther thought his son didn't know about that, but he did-- and it always left a nasty taste in his mouth whenever he thought of it.
And there's some irony in regards to his father's hatred towards those with magic. For his beloved son had it too. It started so small, when he was young, and his nanny noticed right away. She feared for the boy, and made him swear to never use his magic in front of anyone. As he grew a little older, tried to help him as best she could. After all he was just a child, a mere toddler, and while Uther said to love his son. Who knows what he might do to him.
So Arthur's magic was a little bit of a mess, she knew no magic, just cautioned the child to be careful. Moving things around seemed to be easiest, and creating a shield around himself. They discovered that by accident. When she had accidentally bumped into something, the object almost fell upon him. He was unharmed, the object--- in pieces. Once he started to get older, notice what he father was doing, he became frightened. And told her so. She resolved to find proper books he could use, to learn, to be in more control.
She was found with books about magic in her possession. And she burned for it.
That was the first execution Arthur witnessed. He was sick as soon as he left his father's side. And vowed to keep what magic he had a secret, and do everything he could to avoid such a fate. He'd never forget her, his nanny-- the one person who knew.
Fate was not kind. Not only was he dealt this card, but was also given another.
Arthur, son of Uther Pendragon, King of Camelot... was born an Omega. A shock to the King, considering he was sure that an child he had would have been an Alpha. Being an Omega wasn't truly frowned upon on, they weren't respected like Alphas, and Betas. If you were an Omega, and born a peasant... Arthur's heard enough horror stories. As royalty? You were a bargaining chip, especially if you were a male Omega, viewed like a prized gem.
The young prince refused for that to be his fate. No, he would rise above it all, he had to. So he threw himself into his education, into his swordsmanship, and pushing himself harder than the others. He had to be the best, he had to prove to the knights, to the people of Camelot, to the nobles, his father, and to himself. This wasn't going to predetermine who he was, and what he couldn't do.
And he did.
He bet the odds, he became their best knight. Best betas, and alphas alike.
When his first heat came, he was scared, and rush to Gaius for help. The old physician gave him a sympathetic look, offering help by giving Arthur herbs that he could use to easy the pain. Caution him to lock himself in his chambers, and that he'll be the one to talk to Uther so Arthur didn't have to. That last part he was grateful for.
A week he spent inside, it was horrible. This burning sensation, this need that couldn't be filled. Seriously. That's all he wanted. An alpha, his alpha-- to fill him, to calm him, reassure him, and hold him close. To claim him, and if they both wished; breed him. But that was just the heat talking. Once he snapped out of it, that last thought made him completely uneasy. All of it really, if he were being honest.
He didn't want to be claimed like property, he was more than that. He wasn't going to be owned by anyone!
When he came out of his heat, his father summoned him. They had a discussion, and Gaius was there too, looking a little grim. Arthur had two options, take herbs that would block out his heat for the most part, or when it came that he would be hidden away till he was better. Like he was something to be ashamed of.
The herbs.... sounded useful, but what would the prolonged exposer do to him? He asked Gaius to explain: he'd never find his true mate should he have one, if he ever did have his full on heat again it would twice as painful as his first one, and the chance of being sterile. That last one made his stomach flip. Even though earlier the very thought of even having a child left him horrified. He didn't want that. He didn't want the chance of never being able to have one should he change his mind.
Second option it was, and it worked. Shut away once every three months for two weeks, and no one to bother him. Although the pain of being alone, without a mate hurt each time. This ache that couldn't be soothed, it almost tempted him to take those herbs just to stop the pain.
Then he came of age, gained the biggest honor he could have hoped for. Arthur became crowned prince of Camelot, heir to the throne, and his father was PROUD of him. Proud. Of course he ignored the voice in the back of his head reminding him that that wouldn't be the case if his father knew all of his secrets.
Nevertheless, life was good for him. He was even getting along with Morgana more, she was an Alpha. Strong, graceful, and probably the only one Arthur would say would be hard to beat in a sword fight. Her servant Gwen, an Omega, and their friend. They got along pretty well, they were the only two he allowed himself to be... real. At least mostly, he didn't have to hide behind all of his masks around them. Especially Gwen.
Outside one could say he was bit of a prat, arrogant, and haughty. Agreeing with his father's stance towards magic, even though each time he stood beside him and watched another execution his stomach was tempted to rebel against him. He felt like a coward for not speaking out, for not trying to do more. That could be him there some day if he ever slips up. But regardless of this, he still cared for his people, and promised silently that once he became King things would change. It would take time, wouldn't happen over night. But it had to.
That's what he wanted to do. Be a decent King.
Except things never truly go as one hopes sometimes, and even a cautious Prince could make a foolish mistake. One that could cost him so much.
That's how he found himself out here in the woods, walking beside his horse dressed in just his hunting clothes. Tired, hungry, and depressed. Why hadn't he been careful? Had loneliness really gotten the better of him so badly? Arthur almost loses his footing, causing the blond to stumble, and pull on the horse's reigns. After a moment he regained his balance, and grumbled at his sudden clumsiness.
It was probably due to him being famished, most likely explains the dizziness. He should rest, he needed to rest, now more than ever. But if he kept going this way, he'll reach a village, close to Cenreds territory. But it was as far as he could go right now, he's been riding for days. That was hard on his body, and he was running low on food supplies.
Leaving had been rather quick, he had to otherwise his father would have...
Arthur didn't want to think about it.
Arthur didn't want to think about anything. Didn't want to think about his nice bed back in Camelot. About Morgana, about Gwen, or Gaius..... and not his father. Just not think, just... just not...
He stumbles again, this time letting go of his horse to brace himself. Why did he feel so... weak? Of course logically it was the stress, the anger, the hurt, the fear, all his emotions swirling inside him. The lack of needed food, and water. So much for always being prepared. Of course he managed to get his sword. Ha.
Groaning he rolled onto his back, horse not far away, and managed to close his eyes. His body was exhausted, all he wanted to do was rest. He had to keep going, he HAD to now.
Raising a hand to run through his blond locks, maybe just a quick nap, that would be okay. He needed it. Needed to...
That's the last thought he had before finally passing out on the ground, vulnerable, exhausted, and far from home. If he could really call it that now.
As he laid there, unaware of the world around him, the sound of footsteps could be heard. Someone was coming.
Merlin hummed a soft tune to himself as he gathered up some firewood. The Alpha was known for spending time here when he was bored, or down by the stream. It was enjoyable he said, you should try it-- his friend Will would scoff, and roll his eyes. But not discourage him, sometimes he would even come along. His mother Hunith found it endearing, but also please go get some firewood when you're out there or fish.
The former was exactly what he was doing, and soon he could go back home. That was the plan, but for the young warlock fate decided to intervene. A little later than it would have liked, at least their paths have finally crossed.
Seeing the horse was what stopped him at first. It was unusual, and left him rather perplexed. Glancing around, he placed the wood down, as he slowly, and calmly made his way over. So to not spook it. Seemed to have worked as he smiled while gently petting it's muzzle.
"Shh, it's okay," he uttered in a calming tone, letting the warmth of his magic shine through. Seemed to comfort the creature in question, still it didn't give answers as to how the horse came to be here. "Now how did you get all the way here... are lost? Ran away from a rude owner maybe?"
A soft chuckle escapes him, tying the horse to a near by bush; might as well take a look around. He might be able to find some information on his own. Truthfully he didn't expect to find anything at all. Maybe hoof prints, some fallen objects, but nothing so direct as say.... a body laying on the ground.
At first Merlin wasn't sure what he was seeing, blue eyes widening as he realized it was a person, and rushed over. Reaching the stranger he quickly took note that who ever this was--- was an omega. His scent reaching him as he scrunched up his nose a little, an there was another smell underlining it. He couldn't seen any visible wounds, but the man looked like he hadn't slept in days. They're probably around the same age, maybe the blond a year or two older.
Merlin paused.
There was something odd. Wait.
He frowned, and leaned forward. The blond was easy on the eyes, a little dirty probably from traveling in the forest. He didn't look like he's gotten much sleep with faint dark circles under his eyes. And a hand resting on his stomach, his slightly distended stomach. "Shit..." Merlin breathed out. Worry now washed over him. He needed to get the man out of the forest, and go.... where? Home! His mother would know what to do, he couldn't live with himself if he just left him here. Didn't matter if he was an omega or not. It just wasn't in Merlin's nature to turn a blind eye if someone needed help, and he could provide it. "Alright, let's get you out of here," he muttered mostly to himself.
For an omega he wasn't built like most, but the same could be said about Merlin. Not the typical image of an alpha.
It was bit of a struggle as he managed to pull the blond up, earning a groan of protest, but he didn't wake. Merlin pursed his lips, he must be more strained than usual, the pregnancy getting the better of him. At least that was the warlock's assumption. A few questions popped into his mind as he dragged him towards what Merlin presumed was the stranger's horse ( with some help from his magic to drag, and guide the horse to follow him towards the village ).
What was the blond doing out here? Merlin doubted he was a peasant. The horse, and those clothes were far too nice. A nobleman? Was he from Cenred's kingdom? How did he end up here? And where was his mate? Of course that's also assuming he had a mate. He didn't detect any alpha scent mixed with the omega's. Of course that was none of his business. And he tried to push away any unpleasant thoughts that could possibly explain how this man ended up in this situation.
As the reached the edge of the forest, Merlin couldn't help the slight amusement he felt at this predicament. His mother asked for him to bring firewood. Instead he returns home with a horse, and a passed out pregnant omega. No firewood.
Just his luck really.
At least you couldn't say his life was all that boring.
Hunith wasn't going to be happy. Probably.