A/N: This is both angst and fluffy. I hope you enjoy my first oneshot!
Setting: Between series 3 and 4 I guess? Also, it's an AU. It also doesn't really fit the canon time line, but it's my one shot so screw canon.
Description: Merlin is injured while on a hunting trip with Arthur and the knights. Before passing out, he gives them directions to a place where someone can help them.
Disclaimer: I don't own Merlin or it's characters cause if I did you can BET THE SERIES WOULD HAVE ENDED DIFFERENTLY -NO IM NOT BITTER AT ALL
"Merlin!" Lancelot's yell drew the attention of the other knights. They stared in horror as the manservant collapsed limply to the ground. A bandit grinned, yanking his blade out from Merlin's side. With a roar, Arthur charged the bandit, anger clouding his vision.
Quickly, the knights dispatched the other bandits, and circled Arthur and the other man with their swords raised. The bandit swung his sword towards Arthur's head, but the prince blocked it, and slammed his own blade down. The force of the swing made the bandit drop his own blade, and he fell to his knees. In one fluid motion, Arthur sent his blade straight through the man's chest. The bandit coughed and sputtered, before giving the prince and his knights an evil smile.
"You won't save him." He spat. "The blade- the blade was poisoned." With those words, he became limp, the light leaving his eyes. Terror gripped Arthur as the now dead bandit's words registered. He turned towards Merlin, who had Gwaine and Lancelot kneeling over him.
"Merlin? Come on, mate." Gwaine muttered. Merlin moaned, his eyes fluttering open.
"Merlin, you have to tell us how to help you." Lancelot said gently.
"In-" Merlin paused, a shuddering cough erupting from his body. "In my bag. There- there is a map." Arthur nodded, and Leon rushed over to The manservant's bag, and rifled through it. The knight handed Arthur a piece of rolled up parchment, and with shaky hands, the prince opened it. "This... is the last time I go on a hunting trip... with you." Merlin joked, a small chuckle coming from his throat. He regretted it when the movement made him hiss in pain. Merlin swallowed, and Arthur winced when he got a good look at the red spreading across his shirt.
"You're going to be fine, Merlin." Arthur reassured his servant. "We'll get you to whatever this place is." Merlin nodded, his eyes rolling back as he fell into unconsciousness.
"I'll carry him." Percival stepped forward as he said it. Gently, the large knight held his friend. Arthur studied the map for a moment, trying to figure which direction to go in.
"Sire, we need to hurry." Elyan broke in. Lancelot stared at the limp Merlin that lay in Percival's arms, a concerned expression on his face.
"Of course." Arthur pointed in the direction the map lead. It was a quiet trek through the forest, concerned murmurs and Merlin's ragged breathing being the only thing that could be heard. Arthur cursed when Merlin let out a horrible sounding cough, blood trickling down his chin.
"He'll be alright, princess." Gwaine said, putting a hand on the prince's shoulder. Arthur only nodded, his attention focused on the map. It was different than any other map Arthur had ever seen. After what felt like forever to the knights, voices could be heard in the distance. The group reached for their swords, but relaxed when they noticed Arthur's small, relieved smile.
"This way!" He called. "This is where we're supposed to be!" The prince began to jog, his pace matched by the others. Their relief was short lived, however, when they noticed what the destination was.
"A Druid camp?!" Leon blurted out. The tents of the druids were colorful, the camp was full of life. Children ran about, playing and laughing. The adults went about with their daily work, stopping to greet their friends here and there.
"What is Merlin doing with a map to a Druid camp?" Elyan asked. His question remained unanswered, however. The knights shifted, unsure of whether or not they wanted to trust people who say blatantly used magic. Lancelot glanced at his unconscious friend, and the sight of his barely moving chest made up his mind.
"If Merlin wants us to come here," he stepped forward, staring at Arthur. "Then we should trust his decision." The prince looked conflicted.
"Aye, they could save Merlin's life." Gwaine piped up. "That's good enough reason for me."
"Sire, they have saved my life before." Leon broke in. Merlin was looking worse by the second. "I believe that we can afford their help, just this once." Another bloody cough from Merlin solidified Arthur's resolve. He nodded.
"Let's go." Percival moved forward at Arthur's command. They walked into the Druid camp, and all eyes turned on them. Whispers bounced among the people at the sight of the Camelot knights. When they noticed the prince, however, those whispered turned fearful.
"Arthur, they seem to recognize Merlin." Percival said quietly. Indeed, most of their stares were on the limp manservant. Arthur shook his led out of his daze. Merlin needed help, now.
"Please, we mean you no harm!" Arthur's voice nearly boomed. "Our friend in injured, and we need your help to save him!" The apparent leader came forward, his eyes widening with recognition. The Druid leader opened his mouth to say something, but was cut off by a woman's scream.
"Merlin? Merlin!" A woman with dark hair and brown eyes came running forward, her eyes welling up with tears. "Merlin, no!" Her cries were anguished as she came up to the bloodied form of Merlin. Her gaze lingered on the wound in his side, and she reached out for Merlin. Percival pulled back, not wanting to trust this woman.
"How do you know him?" Arthur demanded. "Tell me, now!" The woman ignored the prince, and stared desperately at the Druid leader.
"We need to get him inside." The leader spoke up. "Come, this way." He lead him over to a tent, where a cot was already set up. Merlin moaned as Percival laid him down on it, his eyes opening slightly. His gaze locked on the woman who somehow knew him, a small smile crossing his lips.
"Freya." He whispered. Freya smiled sadly, a few tears trailing down her face. She knelt down next to the cot, and Merlin gently wiped at the tears. "I'll be alright, Freya." He attempted to reassure her, but his voice was pained.
"I know you will." She replied. The knights and Arthur stared at this tender interaction between the two. However, their shock doubled when Merlin placed a soft kiss on Freya's lips, before leaning back onto the cot.
"I love you." He muttered. Merlin eyes closed once again, and he became limp.
"Freya!" A Druid woman called out in warning from just outside the tent. Arthur tensed, expecting danger. Instead, a young girl around the age of six came bursting through the tent. She had dark black hair, and deep brown eyes.
"Daddy?!" She shrieked, her eyes on Merlin. The group from Camelot gaped, unable to say anything. It was all too much to take in, even for Lancelot.
"Willow, go outside." The woman named Freya commanded. The girl stubbornly shook her head. "Now, Willow." Freya turned her gaze on all the knights. "All of you, out." Arthur opened his mouth to protest, followed by Gwaine, but a stern look from Freya and they complied. Still, Willow refused to leave, standing there with her arms crossed. Percival knelt down in front of the girl, understanding the need for her to go.
"Willow, is it?" She hesitated before nodding. "Why don't you come out with us?"
"No! I want to stay with my Daddy."
"If you come with us, we can tell you stories about your Father." Lancelot coaxed the girl into coming out with those words. Freya shot him a grateful look, before turning her attention back to Merlin. The group of knights stepped outside, Arthur's gaze lingering on the tent. All the druids stared at the group of men as the shifted uneasily.
"This way." Willow suddenly said, grabbing Arthur's hand. He looked bewildered as the young girl pulled him towards a camp fire. Hesitantly, they settled down around it, the crackling flames providing light as the sun was beginning to set.
"I can't believe Merlin kept this from us." Arthur said after a moment.
"Kind of makes you wonder what else he's hiding." Gwaine's statement made Lancelot tense.
"How did your Father come here?" Elyan asked Willow. The men stared at her, wanting answers.
"When the prince almost killed Mommy, Daddy found a way to save her." Arthur tensed, and the knights stared turned to him. Willow continued, unaware of the confusion she was causing. "Then he brought her here, and they got married!" She squealed happily. "Soon they had me. But Daddy still had to go work for the prince. So I don't get to see him all the time." Arthur connected the dots in his mind. This explained Merlin's absence from work. "But when I do see him, he tells me all kinds of stories! My favorite is about how his best friend Will saved the prince from bad men. That's why my name is Willow!" Arthur winced in sympathy at the memory. The knights' expression were confused for a moment, but slowly they remembered the stories they had heard from Merlin about his village, Ealdor.
"How old are you?" Leon's voice broke in, interrupting Arthur's sudden revelation.
"This many." Willow said, holding up five fingers.
"What did you mean when you said I almost killed your Mother?" Arthur spoke up, wanting to satisfy his curiosity. Had he really almost killed the love of Merlin's life?
"Mommy was cursed by a mean old lady." Willow began, enjoying being the center of attention. "She became a giant black cat at night." The prince sucked in a breath. The Bastet.
"Well, I'm glad your Father managed to save her." Percival said gently. Willow grinned.
"Daddy's told me a bunch of stories about you!" The girl gestured towards all the knights. She pointed at Lancelot first. "He said Lancelot is his best friend!"
"I thought I was his best friend!" Gwaine cried out in a joking manner. The knights chuckled, and Willow turned to him.
"Daddy said you like to drink a lot." Her voice was deadpan, and the statement sent waves a laughter through the knights.
"Well, she got that right!" Elyan's voice dissolved into laughter as soon as he got the sentence out. Slowly, the laughter faded into chuckles, and Arthur spoke up.
"What does he say about me?" The prince was curious.
"That's you're a clot pole." Willow sent the knights into an even larger fit of laughter, while Arthur snorted indignantly. "But," she continued, and the men calmed themselves. "He also says that you're a great man, and that you'll make a great king one day." Willow's grin was still on her face. The girl was enjoying the attention she was getting from these knights. Still, she craved more. "Want to see a trick my Daddy taught me?"
"Merlin has no skills whatsoever. What could he have taught someone?" Arthur mumbled, receiving a glare from Gwaine. Lancelot was rigid, and he pursued his lips together in concern. If she was Merlin's daughter, there was one thing he could think of that the two would share.
"Yes, please show us." Percival said, encouraging the girl. Willow turned to the flames of the fire, and raised her hand. Lancelot's fears were now confirmed. Willow's brown eyes flashed gold, and sparks from the flames gathered, forming the Pendragon crest.
"That... that was something special." Gwaine said quietly, making Willow beam at the praise. Lancelot glanced at the prince, who was tense.
"Did you say your Father taught you that?" Arthur said through clenched teeth. Willow nodded hesitantly, the shift in the prince's mood evident. Arthur was silent for a moment. "How could he? How could he practice magic and betray Camelot?" Anger laced his words. "How could he betray me?" Arthur drew his sword, and fear coursed through the knights. Sure, they wanted an explanation, but they definitely did not want Merlin dead.
"Sire..." Leon began. Gwaine and Lancelot both stood ready to bolt up if Arthur even made a move towards the tent where Merlin lay.
"Are you going to kill my Daddy?" Willow had tears streaming down her face, the realization of what she'd done now evident. Arthur seemed to deflate a little at the sight of the crying girl, his tight grip on his sword loosening.
"I- I don't know." Arthur stammered.
"Please don't!" Willow was sobbing now, panicked. "He's only ever used his magic to help you!" This drew questioning glances from the men.
"What do you mean, Willow?" Elyan was quiet when he asked the girl.
"He used his magic to help Arthur." She was slightly more calm now that the imminent threat had passed. "Daddy has horrible scars from when he got hurt. I'm not supposed to see them, but one time I sneaked around and saw Daddy take of his shirt." Arthur's eyebrows shot up, and sat back down. "Are you going to hurt him?" Willow asked again.
"No." Arthur sighed. "But I better get an explanation as soon as he wakes up." The last part was muttered, and the knights relaxed at the statement. The all glanced up at the Druid leader, who was exiting the tent.
"You should get settled for the night." He told them.
"What about Merlin?" The Druid leader smiled at Gwaine, in an attempt to reassure the knight.
"Only the morning can tell." The knights were led to a tent where they could sleep. They had a lot to think about.
Arthur groaned, rolling over. Where was he? This wasn't his bed.
Suddenly, the previous night's events came rushing back to him. Merlin had a family. Merlin had magic. And Merlin could still be dying.
The last thought made Arthur bolt out of bed, alerting the other knights. Quickly, they filed out of the tent, and made their way to the tent Merlin was in. The early morning sun shone brightly as they burst into the tent, concern evident on there faces.
"Merlin!" Gwaine cried out happily. Merlin was awake and sitting up, a sniffling Willow in his arms. Freya was sitting next to him, a worried expression on her face. A grin spread its way across Merlin's face at the sight of his friends, but quickly fell, replaced by... sadness?
"Here." Merlin said, handing Willow off to Freya. The girl clung to her father, unwilling to let him go. "Willow, I'll be right back." His voice was gentle. Willow nodded, moving over to her mother. Merlin gave Freya a quick kiss, before standing. Lancelot rushed forward as he fell, barely catching the man. "Let's talk outside, please." Arthur complied to his request, and the group stepped outside, Lancelot practically carrying Merlin.
"How could you not tell me?" Those were the first words out of Arthur's mouth. Merlin winced at the harsh tone.
"Willow told me what she said." Regret laced his words. "I'm sorry Arthur. I wanted to, truly I did. I only ever used it for you. Only you." Arthur opened his mouth, but Merlin raised his hand, cutting the prince off. "I'm begging you, let my family go. I'll come willingly, but let Freya and Willow go. Please." Desperation. That was the only thing the knights could see in Merlin's eyes. "They don't deserve to die, Arthur. Please let them go." Arthur nearly stumbled backwards at the sound of Merlin's pleas.
"You idiot." The prince hissed. Fear filled Merlin at the sight of Arthur's expression. Arthur stood there for a moment, before lunging forward. The knights shouted, thinking he was going in to hurt the manservant. But, to everyone's shock, Arthur pulled Merlin into a hug. "Do you really think I would be so low as to kill your family?"
"But- but your father. Uther would never-"
"My Father doesn't have to know." Arthur said, putting an end to Merlin's stammering. "In fact..." Arthur pulled back, glancing over Merlin's shoulder. Freya and Willow stood there, a beaming smile on their faces. "You need to come back to Camelot with us." He finished, making Merlin's jaw drop.
"Arthur?" The word was filled with hope.
"Who's going to polish my armor if you don't?" Arthur joked, giving Merlin a smile. The man nearly melted in relief. "We'll have to make necessary arrangements, of course."
"Arrangements for what?"
"Well, I don't think all three of you can live with Gaius." Merlin let out a joyous laugh at the statement. Freya set Willow down, who rushed forward. The girl let out a squeal, and hugged Arthur's legs. Arthur chuckled, patting her head. "I promise that my Father will not lay a hand on any of you." The prince said solemnly. Freya moved towards her husband, and pulled him into a kiss. The two were like that for a moment, before a whistle from Gwaine made them break apart, turning red.
"I can't thank you enough, Arthur." Merlin said. Arthur waved him off, placing a hand on Willow's shoulder.
"From what she tells me, I can't even begin to repay you." Suddenly, a grin spread across Arthur's face.
"What?" Merlin didn't like that look.
"Guinevere is going to kill you for keeping this a secret." The knights shook with laughter as Merlin paled slightly.
Whoo- hoo! All done!
Ok I loved writing this. Should I make a part two where they get back to Camelot? Cause that seems like it would be cute.
(Also, just to be clear, this is what happened: Merlin ended up using his magic to save Freya when she was injured, and they decided to live at a Druid camp. Merlin's "map" that Arthur used to track down the camp is enchanted, and it made it so Merlin could find the camp wherever it was. Merlin also found a way to break the curse on Freya, so she no longer turns into a Bastet.) I hope that explanation helps!
-InkFanatic