Monster Under the Bed
Disclaimer: "Merlin" is the property of Shine Television. I'm just borrowing for a little non-profit fun.
Notes: AU story, branching off from just before Season 2's "Lancelot and Guinevere"
Prologue
'There were days when it just didn't pay to get out of bed,' Merlin thought. 'Many, many days.'
For three long weeks Arthur had been strengthening Camelot's diplomatic relations by visiting the estates of outlying nobles. For the duration of the mission Merlin had made a heroic effort to act like a proper servant and not do anything that reflect poorly on his Prince. The inside of his cheeks were raw from the number of times he'd had to bite back a sarcastic comment.
Now that Arthur's retinue was finally headed back toward Camelot after a successful tour, by all rights, they should have been able to relax. Arthur had planned to separate from the main party along with Merlin and a few of his younger knights and make the trip home a hunting trip. Normally Merlin wasn't exactly what one could call fond of hunting trips but in this case anything that got him away from the pompous, self-important advisers Uther had sent along was a godsend.
In Merlin's opinion, the courtiers Uther had chosen to advise Arthur were only a bit better than Uther himself. They couldn't order him to the stocks or the gallows, but Merlin was certain they were keeping lists of his every failure of decorum to present to Uther once they were back. Merlin would cheerfully spend a week trudging after Arthur through the forest laden with crossbow, spear and several dead animal carcasses if it meant freedom from the constant disdainful and disapproving stares of Uther's old-guard. Unfortunately those self-same stuffy courtiers were fearful of bandits and of splitting the party's strength. In the end Arthur was forced to bow to their fears. Which hadn't done anything for the Prince's mood. So Merlin had been left to deal with both the courtiers and a foul tempered Arthur.
As if that wasn't enough to make Merlin's life miserable, the weather had gotten into the act. A day's ride into their trek home and they'd been caught in an early snow storm. Given the mood Arthur was in, it hadn't surprised Merlin in the slightest when he'd insisted that they push on regardless of the weather. 'Perhaps that last duke's spoiled-brat of a marriageable daughter had a bit to do with Arthur's decision not to turn back,' Merlin allowed.
And, of course, there was the vengeful sorcerer who'd ambushed them. But really that went without saying in Merlin's life. Bitter magic-users who thought killing Arthur would make them feel better about everything Uther had subjected them to were as common as fleas on a dog in Camelot, and just as aggravating.
As the sorcerer chanted Merlin glanced around for a branch, rock or other inconspicuous means of rendering their attacker unconscious. There was nothing and no time left. The sorcerer raised his hand menacingly. Merlin found himself left with the option of blocking the sorcerer's spell with his own magic or stepping in front of Arthur and shielding him from the spell with his body. It was either take his chances with the spell or with Uther, because allowing the spell to hit Arthur simply wasn't an option.
Merlin stepped in front of Arthur. The spell engulfed him. Merlin screamed as it ripped at the bonds holding him together. For a long moment he feared the spell would unmake him. Then Merlin's magic surged, reacting instinctually to the attach on his person.