This was written for the first drabble challenge on Heart of Camelot: Come up with an interesting or unusual way one of Merlin's trademark scarves might be used.
Characters: Merlin, Arthur
A/N: While the use to which I put Merlin's neckerchief has certainly been done before, hopefully the situation is different enough to entertain. Thanks to my beta, sarajm, for all her help.
It was just after the dinner hour when the warning bells began sounding. The cry of "Fire in the Royal Stables" could be heard throughout the castle.
Thick smoke filled the air and the neighs of terrified horses assaulted the ears of those running towards the stables to help. A line of volunteers quickly began to fill buckets and pass them up the line to be tossed on the flames in an attempt to stave off disaster.
Fortunately, the stable lads had managed to rescue all the horses, except one: Arthur's mare, Hengroen. Trapped by a fallen roof timber, she was thrashing about in a panic. The only way out was through a narrow gap in the wall of flame, but the horse was too terrified to move forward.
On realizing that it was his horse that was trapped, Arthur rushed towards the open doors, but the heat of the fire seared his lungs as he approached. He could see Hengroen through the flames, but it was impossible to get any closer.
Merlin suspected that Arthur's great love for his mare would move him to do something foolhardy, so he decided to act.
"Merlin!' Arthur screamed, as he watched his friend run into the building, braving the flames to reach the horse.
Merlin ignored everything around him. The heat, the smell, the hissing as water hit the fire all retreated as he focussed on calming the terrified animal. Fortunately, despite the wet neckerchief tied across his nose, Hengroen recognized Merlin and stilled as she felt his hand on her neck.
"Easy," Merlin cooed, as he ran one hand down her neck and placed his other on her muzzle. Knowing that the horse would never walk through the flames as long as they were visible, Merlin removed his neckerchief and tied it across the animal's eyes, murmuring all the while. Then, grasping her mane, he calmly led her through the fire and into the cool, fresh air of evening.
As his manservant and his horse emerged from the flames unscathed, Arthur breathed a quick thank you to the gods. Once Hengroen was passed off to one of the stable lads and led away, Arthur grabbed the young warlock by the shoulders, shook him and yelled, "You IDIOT! You could have been killed! But thank you, and thank goodness for that silly scarf you're always wearing around your neck."