Title: Prideful Pain
Summary: The knights are crueller. Gwen needs more protection. The lamia's influence is not so easily forgotten. What if…
A/N: Hi. So…, this is the first Merlin fanfiction I'm publishing and I am 100% nervous about it. I realize that I'm like, what, 4 years late? So I don't really expect any reviews or anything, I mainly just want to write something, and have it (maybe? Hopefully?) be read by someone other than my two parents with bachelor degrees in English. I basically wrote this because WHY CAN'T MERLIN GO ALL BAMF! MERLIN IN THIS EPIODE! I mean, the knights don't even say sorry or anything. Well, not really. Finally, just because I need to warn you, if you see the word lama anywhere, it's because of autocorrect on this most stupid of computers, and I mean lamia. Please don't laugh too hard if you see something like that. (E.g.: The lama smirked cruelly, but quickly turned her gaze back to the knights, looking innocently at them while they continuously asked her if she was alright. The lama offered no response.) Anyway, erm, I suppose this is when I should say ENJOY! No! Wait, first, I, and this thought is truly horrendous, do…do… do NOT own merlin! *runs away wailing* (that was a disclaimer, in case you're truly oblivious. Although, you'd have to be, at least, Arthur to Merlin's magic oblivious for that to be true, and now I'm rambling, so, once again, ENJOY!)
Merlin eyes the knights nervously as I cook dinner, making sure Gwen has enough supplies to care for Elyan. His condition was bad, but stable, for now at least.
"Servant! Where is our supper? And you had better not skimp out on the meat this time!" called an angry Leon.
Gwen got up, and started to protest "but those are our rati-" Merlin cut her off, as the nights had started to stand up.
"I'll see to it right away, sir knights" and, in an added whisper, he said gently but with a pointed stare "Gwen, why don't you go to my pack and get Elyan some more water for his fever". The knights relaxed again, and Merlin let out a relieved breath. He was grateful of Gwen's attempts at help, but if they kept earning him… well, unwanted attention, then he might prefer if she would just keep quiet. Still, he preferred having their attention on him, rather than on her, because that was just, unimaginable.
The food was soon done, and he brought the pot to the awaiting knights. Merlin knew better than to try to save some for himself, as he was so forcefully reminded by the lash on his shoulder, but this was his third night without food in a row, and even his breakfast and lunch were only scavenged berries and old bread. He usually managed to spare some for Gwen, although the knights believed it to be going to Elyan, though he could not consume anything but nutrient-restoring potions.
As he was serving supper, he thought idly I suppose I could save just a little bit for myself, and tell the Knights it's for Lamia? Though he realised she would probably see the little left in the pot, in his weakened state he didn't mind too much. So, when he made it to (the, he reminded himself forcefully) Lamia, he managed to spare the littlest bit for himself. Merlin was sure she saw what was left, but as she didn't say anything, he merely told himself he was obviously just paranoid.
Merlin snuck away to the river under the pretense of cleaning the pot, and started devouring the remaining stew like an animal. He heard a loud wail, presumably coming from Lamia, but Merlin thinks nothing of it, assuming she merely "chipped a nail" so to speak. A few moments later, he hears some loud thuds, as though someone, or ones, were heading this way. He quickly put down his bowl, but not quickly enough. All of a sudden, he hears the hiss of steel on metal, and feels the cool snake of a sword hit his necks.
"Stand up, you scum!" said an angered knight, and, when that didn't seem to happen quickly enough, a large hand, most likely Percival's, wrapped itself around his slim neck, squeezing the air right out of him.
He was turned around to face two leering faces; Gwaine's holding a look of disgust, while Leon looked more loathing. Over their shoulders, he saw a smirking Lamia. Percival was, presumably, behind him.
"So, you little wretch" spat out a contempt-filled Gwaine "you tried to steal food from Lamia. You, no more than an arrgant servant hwo thinks he can play with the knights, tried to hold back essential nourishment from my Lamia, the most perfect creature ever to walk the earth?"
"n-n-no!" stuttered out a choking Merlin, black dots dancing across his vision. He saw Gwen come over towards the river, and quickly shook his head. She seemed to get the message, and, with a look of regret, walked away.
"So you expect us to believe the word of a servant over that of a lady?" sneered a raging Leon "King Arthur only lets you get away with such insolence because he knows none else. Perhaps we should help to instruct his servant for him? I'm sure the King will thank us for it"
A riding crop was procured, and Merlin dropped like a sack of potatoes. The braided leather bit into his skin, again, and again, and again. Soon, a second, and much less gentle, whip, was taken out, and all Merlin could feel was pain. There was blood everywhere, but Merlin had stopped feeling, his nerves leaving him like his sight. He knew the knights were yelling, but what, exactly, he was not sure.
Fortunately, he soon fell into oblivion, his last sight the knight's pride filled faces, and the Lamia's joyful smile.
There you go! First chapter! This is my promise: I will never just leave, disappear without a trace, with an unfinished story. But I can, and will, make you wait and wait and wait, but only if I'm feeling particularly cruel! Yes, I warn you now, I'm crazy! Don't worry, though, I like updating, and writing, so… unless you annoy me, good luck! ;) Please review!
-Coldplayfan
