Title: We All Want Merlin
Rating: Mature, occasional bad language and adult situations.
Pairing: Merlin, the Knights
Summary: With the knowledge that King Arthur intends to make Gwen his Queen, the Knights decide it is safe to make a play for the object of their shared affections; Merlin. There will be two endings to this fic, with two different outcomes for who wins Merlin's heart.
Author's Notes:
This takes place before Lancelot's sacrifice.
Each chapter will be about a different Knight, but all the chapters will be connected, save for the alternate ending. It will stand alone from the other ending.
Disclaimer: I don't own Merlin, the characters, or any rights to it. This is all done for fun!
ALSO: I have no beta, unfortunately. So, any mistakes are undoubtedly my own. My apologies.
The Knights Plot!
"Order, order!" Leon's voice cuts through the chatter of the knights gathered at the small training ring Arthur had set up for them to run through the various exercises he created to keep them sharp. While it is true that there are many Knights of Camelot, this core group of five have become synonymous with the name. Whenever King Arthur called for his Knights, it is them he is calling upon, and each of them know it.
"Now, we all know why we are here." Leon grins, a bare twisting of his pale lips as he casts a knowing glance across Gwaine, Percival, Elyan, and Lancelot. Though, it should be noted, that Lancelot is the only one who looks mildly confused as to the meaning of the gathering, though Leon pays it no mind at the moment. How could he, when he can feel the almost electric excitement pumping through him as he contemplates the reason they are here?! What it means for each and every one of them!
"Get on with it, man!" Gwaine's voice cuts through the gathering, mild murmurs of agreement following from Elyan and Percival. Leon cuts an irritated glare at Gwaine, before he continues.
"Though it has not yet been announced to the Council or the people of Camelot, we five are aware of Arthur's intentions toward Guinevere." Lancelot's eyes widen a fraction of an inch before he drops his gaze altogether. So, it was true, then? Arthur intended to marry Gwen? Not that such news should surprise him, really. It is the reason he left once she was safe, was it not? He had left the woman he loved and his best friend behind in one stroke. An action that haunted him until the fateful day Hunith gave him Merlin's letter. He would never admit it, but Camelot almost falling was one of the greatest things that had ever happened to him. It delivered him back into Merlin and Gwen's lives. And the time he has been able to spend with Merlin, discussing his friend's magic and the state of Camelot, has been the greatest time he has ever known. But it still hurts, hearing aloud that Arthur is to make Gwen his Queen. Lancelot sees a night of heavy drinking with Merlin in his near future. "And with the news that Arthur wishes himself betrothed to Gwen ... well, we all know what that means!" Leon practically croons these words, his gloved hands slapping together in an enthusiastic clap that leaves Lancelot feeling confused. Especially as Elyan, Gwaine, and Percival follow suit with the same motion.
"We can finally go after Merlin!" Percival's voice cuts through those gathered. The Gentle Giant does not speak often, but when he does, his voice and words tend to resonate amongst his brothers of the sword. This time is no different.
"May the best man win!" Elyan declares, rubbing his palms together eagerly. It's clear that he is confident of being the best man in this situation! Percival snorts, but before he can speak again, Gwaine has stepped forward.
"And we -all- know, that will be me! Merlin is my best friend, he has sought me out to help him and Arthur. He will be mine!" This announcement is met with jeers and playful words from Percival, Elyan, and Leon.
Lancelot merely stares on in utter surprise.
"Excuse." He drawls out the single word, but his silence up until that point now being broken, is enough to garner the attention of the other knights. He clears his throat as he takes a few shuffling steps forward. "Let me get this straight. This .. meeting .. is to discuss the fact that Arthur getting betrothed means that -Merlin- is now free .. to what? Be courted?" He asks in gobsmacked disbelief, and wonders if some kind of enchantment is at work when four eager heads nod in agreement with his assessment.
"But of course, Lancelot! As long as Arthur was single, his protectiveness of Merlin could not be contested or overlooked. But now that he plans to marry, he cannot keep Merlin to himself. It's our turn!" Leon speaks slow and careful, as if he is trying to explain something to a young Squire, or worse, a little child. Lancelot bristles, considers asking when it was that the other Knights became so aware of Merlin, but decides to hold his tongue. Whatever madness this is, it will surely pass.
"Riiiiiigghhhttt..." Lancelot drawls that word out on a soft exhale of breath that ruffles his short bangs before he turns on his heels. Are they joking? Is this one of their silly games or pranks that he has never really understood? It makes his stomach dip and dive, twist into a knot of apprehension that he is trying to ignore. Because he is torn. Who does he owe his allegiance to in this moment? He cannot go against his brothers of the sword and warn Merlin of whatever they are playing at, but he also cannot abandon his friend to such strange machinations! He actually considers telling Arthur what the Knights have planned, but that causes the knot in his stomach to tighten and curl even worse. He does not wish to see his brothers hurt by the overprotective King. Argh, this is too difficult! With another frustrated sigh, he leaves the other four behind.
"Time to put your talents to the test, braggart!" Percival smirks momentarily toward Gwaine, none of the knights paying attention as Lancelot departs. They are too deep in their scheming. "You will go first!" Gwaine's eyes narrow as he reaches up to shove a gloved hand through his bangs, pushing them off his cheeks as he waggles his brows playfully at Percival.
"First and last, Perce. Merlin is -mine-." Gwaine smirks wickedly and turns, practically running from the area as he begins to plot. He clears his mind of every thing but his vast knowledge of Merlin as he walks away.