A.N; Hello readers! This is a rewrite of my story Merlin in the Middle. I was not completely satisfied with the original for several reasons, and when the ideas came to me about how to rewrite it; it just happened. It is not drastically different, just altered. I hope you like it.

Also, just to clarify, Merlin is the same age as he is in the show; which is about the same age as Arthur (who turns 21 in Season 1 if I remember correctly). So Merlin is not underage in this fic, he is at least 18 years old.

Chapter 1

Green-hazel eyes watch Merlin as he refills Arthur's goblet at dinner. This particular pair of eyes belongs to no other than King Uther himself. Uther watches, captivated, as Merlin's slender fingers hold the metal jug, noticing how the boy's sleeves slide up a little to reveal equally slender and pale wrists. Uther observes Merlin, his eye catching the slight twitch of his pink lips smiling at something Arthur whispers to him, probably about how bored he is. Uther's eyes follow Merlin as the servant stands back against the wall. The King turns his attention back to Morgana, who is still talking and has failed notice that he hasn't been listening to a word she is saying, even now Uther is concentrating on ignoring the itch to look at Merlin again.

Later in his chambers the King is pacing, thinking of a certain black haired, blue eyed servant, again. The King always feels the desire to reach out and touch the boy, to run his roughened fingertips across that pale skin, Uther shivers at the thought. He always watches Merlin when he thinks that no one else was looking, and could hardly survive a day without seeing the neckerchief wearing servant. The things he could do to the neck under that scarf, Uther shakes his head, trying to get it out of the gutter.

He is glad that Merlin is friends with and shows great loyalty to his son. Uther has often wondered if their relationship went further than friendship, a growl emits the Kings chest as images of Merlin in the arms of another man bombard his head. Even though he has this over whelming desire for the boy he must restrain himself. Merlin is Gauis' apprentice and the slightly older man sees the boy as a son. There's also Arthur, he couldn't imagine how the blonde Prince would react if his father took his servant as his lover. He sighs deeply and collapses in his chair.

Merlin and Arthur walk in silence after dinner, Merlin wonders if he has done something wrong, but nothing comes to mind. Minutes later they reach Arthur's chambers. Once inside Merlin walks over to the wardrobe and pulls out Arthur's night clothes, just as he lays them on the bed Arthur speaks.

"Merlin?" He begins.

"Yes Arthur."

"Did you notice my Father staring at you during dinner?" Jealousy is seeping though the Princes words, the young man showing his ever present possessive and jealous streak.

"No. Besides why would the King want to look at me? You're being paranoid." Merlin answers with a little scoff.

Arthur gives Merlin a look as if to say 'don't think so little of yourself' but nods and drops the subject. Arthur rises from the chair he had been sitting in, walks over to Merlin, places his hands on Merlin's hips and rests his forehead against Merlin's.

After a few moments of staring at each other intently Arthur cups Merlin's neck and kisses him. Merlin wraps his arms around Arthur neck as he becomes engulfed in the passionate kiss. Minutes later they part, both panting for air, but they are both smiling.

"Goodnight Arthur." Merlin says as he untangles himself from Arthur's arms.

"Goodnight Merlin." Arthur replies as he watches Merlin walk out the door.

Once around the corner Merlin stops and slumps against the wall. He had noticed Uther watching him, how could he not, even now he could feel the Kings gaze burning into his flesh, he shudders. Despite his strong feelings for Arthur, Merlin could not ignore the way his mouth runs dry in the King's presence or the way his stomach erupts in butterflies when he feels Uther watching him. Between his strong feelings for Arthur and his growing curious desire for Uther, he is so screwed.

Merlin slowly walks back towards Gauis' chambers, just wanting to tuck himself into his bed and try to get as much sleep as possible. As he enters he notices that Gauis is still busily working, pouring a potion into a vial and shaking it. Gaius turns after hearing Merlin close the wooden door, and smiles.

"Merlin." Gaius greets. Merlin smiles back at the man who is like a father to him. He keeps walking and heads towards his bedroom, wanting to fall straight to sleep.

"Merlin." Gaius calls Merlin back before the boy can reach his door. Merlin sighs and turns around to look at the silver haired man.

"I need you to take this to the King. For his shoulder." Gaius states, places the vial on the corner of the wooden table. He then collects some vials and herbs from the table, and puts them into his bag.

"Why me?" Merlin asks, nervous about seeing the King after knowing the older man had been watching him so intensely only a short while ago.

"Because, Merlin, I have to go into the town. One of the people has become ill, so I have to go give him treatment." Gaius explains, as if Merlin was five years old.

"Fine, okay. I'm going." Merlin huffs before picking up the small bottle walking back out of the physicians chambers.

Merlin slowly makes his way through the castle corridors, trying to put off seeing Uther for as long as possible. But all too soon, the King's chamber door comes into view. There is no guard at the door, which slightly surprises him, but if an intruder entered the King's room Merlin knows that he is more than capable of defending himself.

Timidly he knocks on the wood door, clutching the vial to his chest. "Come in." The King's commanding voice echoes into the corridor. Merlin tries to suppress a shudder.

Hesitantly Merlin opens the door and enters, closing the door quietly behind him.

The King has moved from the chair to sit on the end of his bed, staring out the window, so he hasn't seen that it is Merlin who has entered his chambers.

"Sire. I have the medicine for your shoulder, from Gaius." Merlin says nervously.

Uther turns to face the door as soon as he hears the boy's voice. His heart pounds in his chest, only barely registering what the dark haired servant is saying.

Uther stands. "Ah, yes. Thank you." he holds his hand out, to take the bottle.

Merlin steps forward and places the vial in the King's hand. Their fingers brush. Jolts of electricity course through their veins. The King quickly swallows the liquid, Merlin watches the King's throat muscles contract as he consumes the fluid. Then Uther passes the empty bottle back to the boy. Pleasurable tingles shoot through his hand as his flesh once again comes in contact with the boy's pale skin.

Before Uther can control himself he grabs the boy's left wrist with his right hand, and backs him up against the wall. He presses his body into Merlin's. The dark haired servant has dropped the vial as he had been backed up; it rolls across the floor, completely forgotten by the two men. Uther places his left hand on Merlin's face, savouring the feeling of the soft, pale skin beneath his calloused finger tips. They are so close that their noses are almost touching, their laboured breaths mingle together.

Merlin is aroused by Uther suddenly taking control of him and a faint blush colours his high cheek bones. Uther stares into the striking blue eyes, before he fixates on the boy's pink lips. All self control flies out of the window as he swoops down and claims Merlin's lips.

When the boy fails to respond he is about to pull away but, as his lips loose contact with Merlin's, the boy grabs the back of his neck and pulls him into another kiss. Uther is completely lost now. He releases the pale wrist, and grips Merlin's hip. Merlin wraps his now free arm around the King's shoulders, pulling him impossibly closer. Their chests and hips melt together.

Merlin can feel the King's erection pressing into his hip; he bucks into the older man. His fingers curl into coarse hair at the nape of the other man's neck.

The servant's eyes snap open; his fingers subconsciously grip Uther's hair tight in his fingers. The rough grey flecked hair prickles the skin of his hand, the texture is all wrong. He is accustomed to soft fine hair that is the colour of sunlight.

Merlin retracts his hands so quickly it seemed though the other's skin had burned him, he uses those same hands to push against the chest in front of him. Urgently trying to shove the unfamiliar body away from his own, his mind screaming 'no, wrong, no, no'.

Uther stares at the young man before him, shaking hands pressing against his chest keeping him at arm's length and the word no falling continuously from the boy's mouth. He wraps his hands around the lad's forearms.

"Calm down Merlin." He commands, and the boy stills almost instantly. "Tell me what the matter is."

"I cant... No, I won't. I won't betray Arthur anymore than I already have." Merlin states as he stares at the floor.

In that moment Uther knows that his son has claimed the raven haired youth, he pushes aside the small ugly swell of jealousy that bubbles. "I am not going to force you Merlin."

The King cannot help the sting when Merlin sighs in relief. "Go Merlin. Return to your chambers, we will not speak of tonight."

Merlin swiftly thanks the King before snatching the vial from where it had fallen and fleeing the room. Uther slumps into his chair, his erection had flagged and all his felt was the creeping tendrils of guilt start to wind in his gut.

Merlin is thankful that Gaius is already sleeping when he returns; if he were awake no doubt the physician would question Merlin's rumbled appearance and his pale face.

He leans against the closed door of his room for a moment to collect his breath before flinging himself face down on his hard bed, clutching his pillow to his chest. Guilt and self disgust are already making a home in his chest, weighing him down. He imagines Arthur's beautiful smiling face it quickly morphs into a look of loathing.

Tears swell in the servants blue eyes. "What have I done?" He touches his lips carefully and the ghost feeling of coarse hair prickles along the skin of his fingers.

Elsewhere in the castle Arthur is sleeping soundly in his own bed, alone. Blissfully unaware of what has just transpired between his father and his lover.

A.N; Please review and let me know what you think.