Disclaimer: I do not own Merlin. It is owned by the BBC producers, writers, director, and others. This story is for entertainment. Any characters that are not from the show are either characters from the Arthurian legends (marked by *) or my own. Please do not plagiarize my story, thank you!
PLEASE READ AUTHOR'S NOTE!
A/N: Hello everyone! This will be a pretty long author's note, but it is rather important that I speak about this. I know that it has been a while since I last updated the story. I also know that this will be the second time that I started over writing the story. The reason why is because I hit a major writer's block and, in real life, I had also some problems that needed to be solved first. I'm doing much better! Hurrah! After I cleared my head, I have come up with a more sounding plot.
As such, I will not give up on finishing this story that's been gnawing its way out and I'm stubborn. I will say, the story has slightly changed, as seen with the summary, but do not fret! It still has a pretty similar outline as what I had previously – just with more purpose now and better starting point. Which brings me to an important point, the story will pretty much skew from the BBC version, though it has aspects of it. However, there might be moments from different seasons blended in. I won't know exactly when it will happen, so I advise you to please watch the whole series before reading this story. Unless, of course, you are fine with spoilers.
Anyways, I would like to thank every single person who has read (and re-read) my story, followed, liked, and left a review. Not sure if any of them will disappear or not, but I would just like to say thank you. They kept me going! Therefore, I will be publishing all chapters that I have written so far as a gift and sorry for being away for so long.
Without further-a-do, here is the re-vamped version of the story (and much longer chapters as well)!
Summary:
Merlin's destiny is to always protect, be by his side, and, ultimately, bring magic back in Camelot. As fate would have it, he ends up as his manservant. However, with such a grand destiny comes at a cost. Danger wove its way in the heart of Camelot, but where they least expect it. Face to face, each of their action comes a cost. Is it worth dying for?
Features the Arthurian legend. [Adventure, hurt/comfort, & hints of comedy]
-Chapter 1-
Whispers could be heard between trees in the dense forest. It could not be heard by just anyone for even the magical creatures that roam about had failed to hear its secrets. However, a raven-haired boy, stumbling his way behind a man with golden locks turned his head to the side when he heard…
Arthur hissed the air. "Merlin, you idiot! Are you blind?"
"S-sorry," he mumbled as he tripped on the branch for the fifth time that morning. "I thought that I –"
"You!" the prince pointed at his face. He shook his head and marched on.
"Well, wait up!"
The two of them, along with a few other knights, had gone up early in the morning to satisfy their need to hunt for wild animals. Merlin still failed to fathom why people enjoyed killing animals, but at least Arthur, for all the idiotic choices that he makes, does not do it out of sport. Whatever Arthur captured – or, maybe, a better term right now would be if they capture any – had a purpose. They are usually turned into food. If large enough, its fur could also be used during the winter.
As they stealthily maneuver their way around the trees and bushes of the dense forest, Merlin made sure to keep his ears open to catch what the sound was earlier. His stomach churned when he tried to recall what he had heard. Yet, for the life of him, he could not decipher the content. A thump on the forehead broke his thought. It was a branch. Arthur turned around and a smirk grew. After that incident, his focus slowly shifted to his surroundings to avoid any on coming accidents, as Arthur liked to put it.
Thankfully, by the end, they were able to catch two wild rabbits. They triumphally – besides the still sulking Merlin – made their way back to the castle without a hitch. On the way there, the boy wondered what the noise was earlier.
Upon arrival at the upper citadel, Merlin carefully carried the two dead animals into the kitchen. One of the kitchen maids thanked him and said that it would be prepared for the prince right away. He nodded his head and made his way to Arthur's chamber. There, he found the prince to be lying down on his bed.
"I just cleaned those sheets!" Merlin called out with exasperation.
"And you can clean them again after you've polished my boots, cleaned my shirt and trousers," Arthur ordered. He got up from the bed and walked behind the changing screen. "Don't forget to also clean Sterling and his hooves by tomorrow afternoon."
"He's perfectly fine," he retorted whilst trying to dust off the dirt from the bed.
"If you must know, King Pellinore of Listenoise* and his son, Tor*, are coming over. I can't have my steed looking less than perfect in front of them, now can I?" Arthur peered out behind the screen with devious look. "And it's your job."
"And it's your job to be a perfect prince, but I think we all know you lack in that area," Merlin pointed at his head. Arthur threw his shoe at him, which came with a loud whack against his head. He took it as a sign to continue his duty.
Once the bed looked seemingly much cleaner, he left the room twice to fetch a total of four buckets of heated water. Arthur sank in the tub of warm water. Seeing his shoulders eased, Merlin went back out to grab the prince's dinner. Along the way, he saw Gawain and another knight beside him strolling closer.
"Merlin!" Gawain waved his arm high in the air. When they were in front of each other, the knight could not resist putting his hand on the boy's shoulder. He swayed him a little, which resulted in Merlin chuckling.
"Evening to you too, Gawain and…"
"Dalon," the knight answered.
"Evening to you both," Merlin smiled. Gawain seemed to pay no mind to his greeting and started to tell tales about his meeting with a lovely woman in the tavern. Merlin simply smiled and let the drunken man ramble on. He turned his head to Dalon. "Let me guess, had too much to drink?
"Aye, 'am afraid so," he nodded and let out a sigh. "I was just makin' me way to do guard duty in the eastern tower, when Sir G'wain stumbled out of the tavern. Almost fell flat on the mud ground if I wasn't there."
"Thanks for that, Dalon. Would you mind taking him to Gaius? I need to the get the prince his supper," Merlin pleaded. Dalon seemed to understand his plea and accepted it. "Thank you!"
He shifted Gawain's arm around the knight, and they walked on. When Merlin returned from the kitchen with both his hands handling the tray full of food and wine, he heard a slight snore. He entered the chamber and noted that the noise was coming from Arthur. Perfect. He swatted the prince's head. The snore abruptly stopped, but the booming sound of his name filled the room. Merlin cupped both of his ears with his palm and rolled his eyes. He grabbed the towel hanging from the table beside the tub and gave it to Arthur, who still looked half a sleep.
When Arthur finished changing into much more comfortable attire, he gobbled his food and retired to his bed. Thankfully, he did not order any other duties to his manservant, who was equally as tired. Merlin quickly cleaned Arthur's boots and grabbed the tray by one hand and the other was occupied by Arthur's dirty clothes. He made his way to the to the kitchen to clean the dishes. Then, dropped the clothes in the basket full of other dirty clothes. He was about to go back in Arthur's chamber to toss the filthy water in the tub away, but it would cause too much noise. More importantly, he could not resist his bed calling for his name.
As he walked through the open hall of the castle, a sudden breeze flew in. He felt no chill but froze like an ice. He felt his heart throb in pain. Then, in a matter of seconds, he was losing his breath. He clasped his chest and began to stumble to the ground. Time seemed to slow down for a bit for he did not completely make a fool of himself by suddenly being in all fours. He finally managed to take a small breath in. Afterwards, his body started to remember how breathing worked and he trudged ever so slowing back to his chamber.
When he arrived, Gaius was not there. He reminded himself to ask the physician what could have caused the pain earlier. For now, he wondered in his chamber and saw that Gawain had already taken the whole bed. He lets out a sigh, but he knew that he should not wake up his friend who had a long day.
The following morning, Merlin hardly could forget what had happened that evening at the hallway. The literal feeling of breathlessness still etched in his body that he took in a few deep breathes of reassurance. Wonderful. His body was functioning correctly. He sat up from the floor and peered at the sleeping man occupying his bed, who still reeked a bit of mead. He got up and grabbed a fresh tunic from his dresser and tossed it to Gawain's face. The knight let out a slight groan and grasped the tunic closer to face whilst turning in the opposite direction. Merlin rolled his eyes and went to his window. He opened it fully, and the sun smacked Gawain directly on his face.
"Wha–," Gawain tried to shut his eyes tighter. To no avail, he sat up and grumbled. He sniffed and rubbed his nose. Making a smacking sound with his lips, he turned to face the now smirking manservant.
"Glad to see you're still alive."
Gawain let out a small pained groan. The knight grabbed his head. "Ahh, barely."
"You should change. You reek of mead."
"Hey, somebody's got to make it up for you," Gawain retorted. He lets out a slight hiccup. "For you and for Percival. I asked him to come to the tavern with me last night as well, but he refused saying he had night shift."
Merlin lets out a chuckle. "Well, he did."
"Uh-huh," Gawain took off his tunic and replaced it with Merlin's. "And I also had duties last night… Merlin, this is not going to work." Merlin's tunic had trouble with fitting both sides of his shoulders.
"I'll grab you one of Arthur's in a bit."
"The princess?" Gawain laughed. "I'd rather wear a dress than go off and be wearing one of his." The knight took off the fresh tunic and puts on his old one. "No, even better, I'll just take a dive in the river."
"But your clothes will still smell!" Merlin called out to Gawain as the knight was making his way out the door.
"And this smell happens fancy women," Gawain smiled and waved at his friend.
Merlin rolled his eyes and waved back. He lets out a sigh, but no relief washed his thoughts away. What did happen last night? What was the noise that he still failed to recall? He shook his head to try and clear his thoughts. However, it was soon interrupted by Gaius walking in. He told Merlin to add bread to his list that he needed to buy at the market. The boy nodded and took off as well to wake up the sleeping prince.
He greeted Arthur with his usual shtick, which left the prince grumbling. He laughed a bit in his head. It reminded him of what happened this morning with Gawain. The manservant did as what any servant would do in the morning. He prepared the breakfast and a fresh new pair of clothes. Moreover, he cleaned the bed and dusted a bit here and there until the prince was done with his meal. However, today was a bit different. After the usual task, they would usually go out to the training ground. Today, though, King Pellinore and Prince Tor would be visiting. It was all anyone could talk about when he arrived in the kitchen to fix Arthur's breakfast.
He heard a few giggled from the ladies in the kitchen. Later, as he was walking to Arthur's chamber, he heard a few knights were also chatting about the arrivals of the royalties. The boy wondered why they were all so excited. Two other kings and their sons visited the castle not too long ago, but there was not even a buzz of excitement such as this one.
"Merlin!" a voice broke his thoughts.
"I'm sorry, what?"
"My god, Merlin. Are you deaf now too? I said, will King Pellinore and Prince Tor arrive soon?"
"Soon?" Merlin questioned. Then, he remembered what the messenger told him. "Oh yes! Yes. They will be arriving soon, but you still have time to eat breakfast before their arrival."
"No, no time for that," Arthur got up and started to change clothes. Merlin walked over and helped him put them on. "I need you to make sure that Sterling is ready. And…"
"Hmm?"
"You did make sure he was cleaned, right?"
"O-oh, of course!"
Arthur pinched the bridge of his nose. "If he's not cleaned by the time Prince Tor arrives, I swear to you that you will muck out the stable until the next moon arrives."
Merlin eyes grew wide and quickly finished helping Arthur putting on his clothes. He grabbed the tray and zipped pass Gwen, who was kind enough to greet him. He did manage to apologize. When he arrived at the stable, he realized how much cleaning he would have to do not only of Sterling and of the stable. It would not matter if he had the horse clean as the silver platter unless he also cleaned the stable. He could already hear Gaius' voice telling him what he was about to do was irresponsible. However, he had absolutely no time. So, he did the irresponsible task. He used magic.
Satisfied with the result, he walked out and bumped into someone. He almost cried out an apology and begged to not be executed, but it was, thankfully, Lancelot. Merlin lets out a breath.
"Oh my god, I thought you were someone else."
Lancelot chuckled. "You know, you probably shouldn't be using that in such broad daylight."
"Trust me," Merlin placed his hand on Lancelot's shoulder. "It needed to be done."
"I do trust you."
"Wait, Lancelot," Merlin called out. "I know you're still new to being a knight and all, but I've been hearing King Pellinore and Prince Tor's name everywhere. Care to explain a bit for me, please?"
It took a bit of time, but Lancelot did not mind. In fact, he was rather happy to get a conversation with Merlin. Since his knighthood, he became busier than he expected and had time to talk to his friend. Arthur had given him the task to teach the new recruits despite being new to it himself. So, even if he had a distaste for talking about people behind his back, let alone rumors, he explained the situation.
Merlin curled his eyebrows together trying to process what Lancelot shared. Apparently, King Pellinore was a dear friend of the Pendragon family. Some would even say that they were best friends – though, it was hard for both Lancelot and Merlin to think that Uther had such a friend. Prince Tor, because of the friendship between both their fathers, was also close with Arthur. The royals of Listenoise hardly visited, but when they did, they usually brought a caravan with them for the people to enjoy, which brought excitement to all. What excited the knights, though, was the training that they were about to witness between Arthur and Tor.
"And because King Pellinore is a brilliant sword master, it is said that he would have passed the same knowledge to his son," Lancelot added.
Merlin nodded his head and Lancelot continued with a few more details. The only other important information that he gathered from the last bit was that both Arthur and Tor had an even win and lose ratio. Such that, today's spar would make one the victor. When Lancelot finished speaking, another knight called out for his name.
His face soured for a moment and had to bid goodbye to Merlin. The boy stood there for a moment wondering if what everything that Lancelot had said was true. Not that he would admit this out loud, but he has been serving Arthur for a little over three years now and has witnessed first hand that no one has yet to make a scratch on the prince. Surely, Prince Tor would lose.
A/N: What did you all think? I know that it is not the most adventurous right now, but action will take place in the next chapter! Not sure how it will turn out, but it will happen. Also, for now, I will be addressing Merlin as a "boy" because he still has yet to grow as a character.
Now, for those who do not know of King Pellinore, he is, as I put in the disclaimer, a character in the Arthurian legend. He is actually a good friend of Arthur, but I decided that it would be a bit weird in this case since they do not actually meet until Arthur becomes king. So, a good friend of King Uther he has become!
Tor is also an Arthurian legend character. There a bit of dispute to who is actually his father. However, I decided to have him be King Pellinore's because Sir Thomas Malory's famous work Le Morte d'Arthur had him as the son. Also, this information, I got it from Wikipedia because I needed a quick information about them. However, I did know about King Pellinore as he is a bit of an important character in the legend. So, if you want to know him a bit more, I suggest you look him up. Otherwise, more information will be revealed soon (same with Sir Tor), but they might change a bit to fit the story! :)
