Spoilers: None in this one. It's set early in the series.
Disclaimer: Merlin isn't mine, though I really wish it were. :)
A/N: I recently found Merlin, and wound up totally pulled in by the show. This small one-shot was inspired by all those great scenes where Arthur beats up on poor Merlin while he trains.
As always, I thank my Lord Jesus Christ for his incredible mercy and grace, and his many blessings.
I hope you enjoy this, and please let me know what you think!
A Fighting Chance
Merlin was an idiot.
An occasionally brave idiot, but nonetheless, an idiot. After all, only an idiot would go into battle with fighting skills as bad as Merlin's. Honestly, a newborn calf probably had better coordination.
But all the same, there was Merlin, always at his side, danger or no.
Arthur had realized pretty quickly that he needed to do something, or his manservant was going to be run-through before he could blink.
So, he'd decided to make Merlin his regular sparring partner.
Clang.
"Ow! That hurt!"
"Oh, come off it, Merlin, the shield took it."
"It'll still bruise! You hit hard!"
"Of course I do. That is the idea, remember?" He raised his sword, and rested his weight on his back foot. "Again."
Merlin sighed, grimacing, but he mirrored Arthur's stance.
Arthur waited a moment, then feigned to the left. Merlin flinched, and his shield twitched in that direction. He parried right, and Merlin stumbled away. Narrowing his eyes, Arthur swung, aiming for the helmet Merlin wore.
This time, Merlin actually managed to duck.
Arthur's lips turned upwards in a faint smirk.
Merlin was learning. Maybe, just maybe, those faster reflexes would come in handy the next time the idiot wound up in a battle. Might even save his life.
Another swing.
Clang.
"Ow!"
And meanwhile, well…there was nothing wrong with having a little fun, was there?
Fin
A/N: I hope you enjoyed it, and please let me know what you think!
Ani-maniac494:)