"-born of magic," Gaius finished. "Lycanthropy is also highly contagious. The kingdom is in peril if that is indeed what you saw."
"When you say highly contagious-" Merlin started.
"One bite, and the disease is spread. I must tell the king. These creatures are most active at full moon, but they're incredibly strong and fast. Lycanthropy is exponential. Should an epidemic break out, entire villages could turn."
"If it's born of magic-"
"I hope you're not suggesting using magic under King Uther's nose."
"But if I can fix it; if I can protect Camelot-"
"You can't even keep your room clean, Merlin. The Knights of Camelot protect. You serve as Arthur's manservant and my runner."
"But-"
"I'm off for a word with the king. I advise that you see to Arthur."
"Late again, Merlin," Arthur noted, not looking up as Merlin came into the room without knocking.
"Yeah." Merlin smiled sheepishly.
"Well, hurry up with it. We were supposed to be practicing eight minutes ago, and you haven't even buckled me up."
"Well," Merlin said, mimicking Arthur's tone. "I had to make sure some royal boots would be shiny enough for some royal prat."
Arthur looked up then, a smirk on his lips. But before he could answer, a knock sounded on the door. Arthur and Merlin turned to look at the door, but neither of them opened it.
"Sire, your father requests your presence."
"Tell him I'll be down in a minute," Arthur retorted, looking back to Merlin, clearly about to say something-
"He said it's urgent."
"Father believes nearly everything is urgent," Arthur snorted as footsteps from the runner faded away.
"This might be important, though."
"You sound as if you already know why I'm being summoned."
"Probably the werewolf," Merlin said, picking up a dirty shirt from Arthur's chair and folding it over his arm.
"Werewolf," Arthur repeated. "That's just a story, created to make restless children stay in bed."
"Wolf, then," Merlin said, shaking his head. "So werewolves are in that mythical category with the questing beast?"
"Point," Arthur conceded, moving to leave. "Now don't go thinking you've avoided the sparring session."
"You could just train with your knights," Merlin pointed out, picking up a lone sock from under the chair.
"Yes, but the knights know their places," Arthur replied, not missing a beat. "I've got to keep beating it into you."