Holding Back
Arthur has no idea.
He insults, he belittles, he mocks.
There are times when it is in jest, and believes it to be humorous, harmless fun.
Other times he is reverting to his old nature, filled to the brim with arrogance and an overactive sense of self-importance that comes from being born and raised as royalty.
Sometimes he is angry or frustrated and needs a way to vent before he must leave his chambers to face the outside world.
There are days where he is too tired and too grumpy to do anything else.
Occasionally, it is his way of expressing affection without actually appearing to do so.
It can be a result of relief, resignation, annoyance, aggravation, boredom, brashness, embarrassment, egotism.
It is almost always Merlin's fault, whatever the cause or underlying reason.
Sometimes there is no reason for it at all.
Arthur will glare at him, shout at him, threaten him. He will throw things, anything that is at hand in the moment – clothes, water, goblets, jugs, weapons.
He will tear him down, time and time again.
He knows Merlin can take it.
Merlin holds up his end well. He returns the barbs, counters the insults, and is not afraid to attempt to take him down a notch or two. Arthur believes his wit is greater than his intelligence, and it entertains him to have such an irreverent servant. Merlin remains irrepressibly happy, quick with smiles, persistent with advice, and loyal almost to a fault. He manages all the chores set for him, however incompetently, and he puts up with all the moods and actions of his master with both patience and strength.
Arthur can get away with almost anything. He can treat his manservant however he wishes, and there is nothing that Merlin could or would dare to do about it.
He goes too far sometimes, but hardly notices, and never fears.
But he has no idea.
No idea that, when the goblet narrowly misses Merlin's head, the young warlock could without effort or gesture send it whizzing back at him and hit the target square on.
No idea that, when Merlin is crumbling beneath the weight of his blows during training, the young warlock could inflict on him a far more bloody beating without ever lifting a finger.
No idea that, when he yells for his servant to get out or to leave him be, the young warlock could decide to abandon him as vulnerable to dangers he could never comprehend.
No idea that, when he threatens him with words or at the end of a blade, the young warlock could cause him to drop dead where he stood.
No idea that, when he insults him and calls him names, the young warlock could bedazzle him with enormously powerful displays of magic and prove him not only wrong but woefully ignorant and foolish.
No idea how truly dangerous it is for him to treat his servant the way he does.
No idea how much Merlin is holding back, always and constantly.
He believes he is safe.
And he is safe.
Because, even if he has no idea who his servant truly is, and cannot even begin to imagine how much power his servant commands, Merlin will never hurt him.
Arthur has no idea just how lucky he is to have Merlin in his life.
No idea what an honour and privilege it is to be served so humbly by the most powerful warlock to have ever been born.
No idea how incredible it is that he, a mere prince, has the steadfast loyalty of the one named in prophecy as Emrys.
No idea how many times his life, his friends and his kingdom have been saved by this unassuming servant.
No idea how much Merlin cares about him, or the lengths to which he will go to protect him.
No idea that Merlin could rule the world, but is honest when he says he is happy to serve Arthur until the day he dies.
No idea that Merlin would lay down his life for him in a heartbeat, and has been fully prepared to do so more than once.
No idea of the depth of Merlin's forbearance in all of their interactions.
He is fond of Merlin, and comes to think of him as a friend even if he will only rarely express such a sentiment out loud. But all the while, he believes that Merlin is just a peasant, just a servant, just a bit of a clumsy idiot who is always getting himself into trouble and is lucky to have Arthur around to look after him.
He has absolutely no idea.
If he did...