AN: So. This was to be expected, alright? I found prompts, I write. Poorly, mind, considering I've never wrote anything for the Merlin fandom before, and quite frankly, the idea of doing so is terrifying to me right now considering my characterization sucks, terribly, but it was worth a shot.
Anyways, enjoy.
If it had been anyone else, Arthur would've thrown a punch or two. But it was Uther. He couldn't start throwing punches or anything. But still, Merlin hadn't deserved it.
The servant was currently kneeling by the weapons rack on the training grounds. The Knights were currently having one of their impromptu trainings. Merlin had arrived late, Uther walking him out. Arthur thought it odd, up until he saw the punch to the boy's ribs. That was what had made him collapse. It's all that Arthur had seen. It's all he had to see.
"Hey!"he snapped. "Leave him alone!"
Merlin looked up at Arthur in pained shock, one hand holding his ribs while the other braced himself against the ground.
Uther gave his son a look. "Keep your servant in his place, Arthur."he warned before he walked away.
Arthur glared after his father, abandoning his training and moving to kneel in front of Merlin. He frowned when he saw the bruises that were littering Merlin's neck and face. "He has no right to lay a hand on you,"he said softly, standing and offering the younger male a hand up.
Merlin stared at him in surprise before he allowed Arthur to help him up. "Thanks,"he managed.
Arthur gave him a worried once over. "Yeah, don't mention it. You should probably go see Gauis, get something for the bruising. Otherwise, you'll be real sore later."
"I don't see how that'll matter, honestly."Merlin admitted. "I've had worse,"
Lancelot gave the others a look before he spoke up. "Are you alright, Merlin?"he asked.
Merlin glanced down, as if checking that he was still in one piece before he met Lancelot's gaze. "Yeah. I'm not missing any limbs or cut to pieces, I'm alright."he said, voice cheerful despite what had just happened.
Arthur raised an eyebrow. It hadn't taken long for Merlin to snap back into his happy-go-lucky disposition. He gave Merlin a searching look. "If you're staying, then find a place and sit."he said. "That hit didn't look too light, we don't need you injuring yourself further, Merlin."
Merlin gave a weak chuckle and nodded, moving away and finding him a place to sit and watch.
Arthur and the other Knights were hesitant to allow the boy that they so viewed as a younger brother sit around after seeing him hurt.
While Gwaine and Leon were just playing around with a sparring match, Arthur spoke with Lancelot.
"I don't get how your father could be so harsh to Merlin."Lancelot admitted to the Prince. "Poor guy's never been anything but helpful and kind, if a bit sarcastic. But who could hurt someone who's so constantly happy, no matter what's done to him? Did you not see how he bounced right back into his happy persona?"
Arthur nodded. "I did. Which is why I'm worried. Most people would be upset if they were hurt, they'd be angry at the one who hurt them. But Merlin just shrugs it off and..nothing. It's worrisome. Because..it seems like an act sometimes, just a front."
Lancelot nodded, throwing a look at Merlin, who was braiding long bits of grass and fallen leaves together absently. He raised an eyebrow at the servant's choice of activity, but only sighed. "Did you see how shocked he was when you intervened?"he questioned, looking at Arthur, who was watching Merlin as well with a concerned frown.
"Yeah, I noticed. It's understandable. He didn't expect me to speak up like I did. He knows how I am, I don't like to go against my father outright. I usually sneak and do it if I must."Arthur said. "To think that I'd do so for a servant surprises many, including Merlin. He's not used to people doing that for him. Even he best friend never stood up for him. Some falling out over something. Never got an answer as to what."
Lancelot gave a slight frown. "Man, that had to be hard,"he grumbled. "I'm going to go make sure he's alright. You keep an eye on these guys, don't let them anywhere near Merlin with those swords."
Arthur nodded, resting his eyes on the two Knights who were laughing and sparring, acting like goofballs for the heck of it.
Lancelot made his way over to Merlin before he kneeled down. "How's your side doing?"he asked.
Merlin looked up at Lancelot with a bright smile that was signature on the warlock's face. "Much better, thanks! The pain's subsided. Enjoying training?"
Lancelot gave Merlin a look. "Tell me the truth,"he prompted. "You know I'm not going to rat you out,"
Merlin nodded, letting his smile fall slightly. "Yeah, I know. But really, I'm alright."he responded. "Nothing to worry about."
"What got the King so worked up?"Lancelot asked gently, eyes finding one group of bruises that was on the side of Merlin's neck.
Merlin sighed. "He's been worked up. I was just in the wrong place at the wrong time,"he said in response.
Lancelot gave him a nod to show he understood. "Why won't you go to Gauis?"
"I don't want him worrying about me,"Merlin admitted. "He's got enough to worry over,"
Lancelot's eyes lit up in surprised wonder then. "You are really something, Merlin."
Merlin shrugged.
It wasn't long until the Knights took a break. They all set their weapons aside and moved to join the two.
Arthur gave a slight smile to the group. "So, who's going to volunteer to help me get Merlin here to Gauis?"he asked the Knights.
"Arthur, I'm not going to Gauis over this. It's stupid."Merlin countered.
Arthur frowned at him. "You're hurt. We're going to take you to Gauis."
Lancelot held Merlin's gaze for a second before he spoke. "Actually..."he said.
Arthur looked to him.
Lancelot smiled, looking up at Arthur. "I could go ask Gauis for some salve for bruises and bring it back here,"he said softly. "Merlin just doesn't want to worry him,"
Arthur looked to Merlin, who gave him an almost pleading look, so the prince nodded. "Go."he told Lancelot, who got up and disappeared.
It wasn't long after Merlin had managed to apply the salve that Arthur spoke. "So. Your side. Just bruised up?"he asked. He hadn't missed that Merlin left his side alone, not bothering to even attempt to apply the salve.
Merlin shrugged. "Just a bit sore, probably not even bruised,"he told the prince. "And if it is, I'll take care of it later,"
Arthur gave Merlin a worried frown. "You'd tell me if you were badly hurt, right?"he asked.
Merlin gave a smile and nodded. "Of course,"he said. But Lancelot knew he was lying to appease the prince. No matter what, Merlin would never tell anyone he was hurt willingly if he didn't have to.
And so, none of the Knights knew just how bad the injuries under the warlock's top were. None, that is, except for Lancelot, who walked him back to Gauis's chambers and refused to leave until he'd had a look at the boy's side only to see old scars as well as new injuries ranging from the darkening bruise blossoming over Merlin's ribs to the almost healed gash on his other side.
Lancelot promised before he left that he'd hold his tounge, because Merlin really didn't want people to worry over him. He wouldn't take that from the warlock, just like he wouldn't tell any of the other secrets of Merlin's that he knew.
But if it had been anyone else besides Merlin, who had helped him so much, he would have let the person who was in charge of them know. Still...if Merlin wanted to tell Arthur and the other Knights, he would.
But he never did. Gwaine found out by accident once, and he'd given a sad look to Merlin, but said nothing besides the normal joking flirting that he always managed to do.
Merlin was content, knowing that his secrets were safe with those who knew them. He just hoped they didn't come out into the light any time soon.
Between breaks for food, and for tonight's family night movies (Alice In Wonderland and Twilight), I kind of took all day to write this. Sorry.
