By the way, they need a Merlin youtube video set to the Eli Young Band's Guinevere song. And another one set to the John Adams Theme Song, because it's epic. There could be battles!

Sorry. So. It was late. I was tired. I have Arwen on the brain.

Oh, warning. Slight nasty word in there. Set after 4.09. Before 4.12.

Arthur wiped the cloth over his sweaty face, sweating heavily in his chainmail. He pulled back, taking a deep gulp of fresh air.

Technically, since he was now king, he didn't have to train the knights if he wanted to pass the job off. But the tension lines on his face had faded for the first time since Gwen left thanks to the exercise, and so Merlin didn't complain about having to carry his stuff all around creation… Or at least down into the training yard.

Arthur threw the sweaty towel at Merlin with a slight smile, and Merlin dodged. He grinned at Arthur and opened his mouth to make a comment that would undoubtedly have been hilarious (but he hadn't thought of it yet, so he didn't know for sure), but before he could, he heard the noise from the other knights on the other side of the field.

It was one of those awkward lulls in the hubbub of people when no one is talking, and then one person continues to speak without realizing everyone could overhear.

It was Sir Peter.

"…ungrateful whore anyway, still say banishment is too good for trash that…"

And then the background noise was back. But Merlin didn't care; he'd heard it, and he knew Arthur had. Looking briefly at the newer knights, he knew that Elyan had too… Elyan looked like he was about to spring forward and wring Ethan's neck. If not for Percival's hand on his shoulder, he would have.

Merlin stood quickly, looking at Arthur to gauge his reaction.

Arthur's face had gone steely. He picked up his sword.

Merlin's blue eyes went a bit wider. "Arthur…" he started, but Arthur ignored him, turning around.

"Sir Peter!"

The knight jerked and spun around guiltily. "Yes, Sire?"

"Spar with me."

"Now, Sire, we just finished…"

"Sorry, did I interrupt something you were saying?" Arthur looked perfectly polite.

Peter swallowed, and he looked back at his buddies (who were backing away). "No, Sire. We'll spar."

"I thought so," said Arthur, and promptly attacked.

Peter barely had time to get his weapon out before Arthur's fury landed full force on him. He managed to block, but after that, there was nothing but a flurry of medal and bodies as Arthur continued to bash down on Peter, never once letting the other man have an opening. Peter was reduced to nearly cowering, unable to hold his own.

The fight lasted perhaps three minutes. They were probably the longest of Sir Peter's life.

And then, to his relief, he was disarmed and knocked upon his knightly rump while the now very sweaty king stood over him, glowering.

Peter looked up at him from the ground, and there was frozen silence.

Then Arthur turned and walked away. "Thank you, Sir Peter," he said to the thoroughly thrashed individual. Sir Peter scampered up and away.

Arthur turned around to face the other knights. "Anyone else have a conversation that needs interrupting?" There was silence as response, and Arthur nodded respectfully to his men and turned his back, walking away.

He put his own sword down over by Merlin and grinned for the first time in days.

Merlin watched him, trying to appear disapproving, but he couldn't bring himself to be truly. He crossed his arms. "Did that feel good, Sire?"

Arthur took back the cloth for more face washing. "It felt good, Merlin," he affirmed.

Review?