Hey everybody, this is Libros, back from the dead! This is my first Merlin fanfic ever, and it's set right after season three. Those of you who have seen parts of season four will realize I'm not following canon, so no spoilers here unless you haven't seen up to season three! The basic story line is going to be matching an OC with each of the knights. And don't worry, it will be a different OC for each knight, no polyandry here!
Merlin stood to the side of the practice field, watching the antics of his new friends. Arthur and Lancelot were facing off with the other four, the group of them earning envious glances from the other knights. Not only were they fighting well, they appeared to be merely playing with each other. None of the other knights could fight that way.
"All right," Arthur exclaimed after having just 'killed' Elyon. "We can be done for the day."
"Finally! I've been waiting to go the tavern all day! There's a pretty wench working there that is all for giving me my drinks at a discounted price."
"At least you can pay for them this time," Arthur teased Gwaine, cuffing him on the shoulder.
"Oi – can you not get over that?" Gwaine complained, as the others laughed.
Their uniforms were all dirty and in need of a wash, the red cloth that went over their chain mail was brown in some spots, and Merlin was thankful he'd only be in charge of getting Arthur's gleaming Camelot Red for the next day.
"About that tavern," Percival put in quietly. "Why don't we all go? We can make it a thing for the knights of the round table."
It wasn't often that Percival voiced his own ideas, and most of them, other than Lancelot, who had known him the longest, had never heard him do so. They all stopped short, leaving Percival and Lancelot to walk a step or two ahead. Merlin let out a quiet chuckle, but not loud enough for him to get their attention.
"That sounds fine to me," Lancelot agreed before casting a look back at Arthur. "That is, if the Prince agrees."
"I agree. And Merlin?"
"What?" Merlin asked, jumping at the sound of being addressed. He'd already begun to gather up the remnants of the knight's practice, expecting to remain forgotten.
"Leave those for someone else," Arthur commanded. "After we freshen up, we're all going to the Dancing Boar."
A while later, all six of the young men were assembled at the main doors of the castle. Merlin and Arthur were the last to arrive, bickering over which one of them had been the one to make the other late.
"If you weren't such a blockhead-"
"If you weren't such a lazy-"
"I hate to interrupt," Elyon said, not sounding the least bit sorry, "but we have a night of bonding ahead of us, do we not?"
Properly chastised, Merlin and Arthur merely shoved each other the entire walk to the Dancing Boar. It was already noisy when they entered, but everyone quieted at their entrance.
"Come on, back to your talking!" A loud man, presumably the tavern keep, called out.
The noise resumed as they took their seats around a small, round table that happened to be sitting unused in the corner of the room. A quiet looking young woman approached their table, carrying large tankards for everyone. Gwaine caught her arm as she placed his on the table.
"And does my usual discount go to everybody?"
She bit her lip and shook her head solemnly.
"No, I am not my sister. We do not share the same fondness of you."
Pulling her arm out of his grasp, the girl walked away with her head lowered, much to the merriment of Gwaine's companions. She came and went many times that night, keeping the tankards full. Merlin's had not received much attention, as he didn't think it would be a good idea for someone with as many secrets as him to get drunk. He'd discovered early in his life that he did not hold his liquor well.
"Feeling as if you're the babysitter?" Lancelot asked, leaning over so that only Merlin would hear.
"Are you?" Merlin retorted, having noticed that Lancelot was also refraining from drinking too much.
"Someone is going to have to lug these idiots home," Lancelot answered, gesturing to their very inebriated friends. The fondness in his voice revealed why he would be willing to go to such lengths to ensure the safety of 'idiots.'
Merlin turned his attention to them, and silently agreed with Lancelot. Gwaine was already laughing too loudly, Leon was trying to pick a fight with Elyon over who could drink more, Arthur had the dangerous look on his face that meant he was getting ideas, and Percival . . . well, Percival was looking ready to take a nap.
"Oi you lot, I have had a realization!" Arthur exclaimed, standing on his feet shakily.
"Have you now?" Merlin asked. Arthur leveled a not so steady glare at Merlin before continuing,
"I have something the rest of you don't!"
He was met with several questioning glances.
"I have a woman. So now you all need to get one!"
With that, Arthur fell back into his chair and began to doze.
'Oh dear,' Merlin thought helplessly. 'Maybe I shouldn't have allowed the future king of Camelot, who happens to be under a lot of pre-crowning stress, have an unlimited number of drinks.'
Well, that's my attempt at a funny chapter! From now on I'll be posting a new chapter every Sunday until the story is done. Next weeks featured knight is Sir Leon, so I hope you'll tune in and enjoy!