AN: So. Back from a camping trip with the family. I am in so much pain right now it's not even funny. So, I'm here. I spent the whole long weekend near people, I'm going to spend some time with you internet folk for a while before going back to school, damn it.

I'm glad people seem to like this story, I wasn't expecting it to be so welcomed.

To those who reviewed:

Lynda-Lee: Glad you thought it was interesting. I do hope this is soon enough for you..?

RangerMarie: Glad you enjoyed it! And thanks for understanding about the language. I just can't force myself to write in old english. It literally hurts my head trying to.

orionastro: Thanks, glad you think so! And as for why Merlin doesn't use his powers to heal himself..there are certain situations where you wouldn't be able to do something like that. I can see an abuse case as one of those situations. Having come from an abusive background myself..it leaves you scared and it makes you feel powerless. If he's scared, his magic kinda goes hay-wire, you know? So he won't try to in fear of getting in trouble.

Amy Nouson: Glad you liked it!
KmKizmet: Glad you think so. I'm glad you like it.

MerlinAndTwilight: They were, weren't they? And well..Arthur isn't really that big of a prat, anyways. He has his moments, but so does everyone else. But he's also prince so it's more..outright stared at than anyone else.

Guest: Soon enough?

BabyGlover: Planning on it!

Guest: Glad you think so!

Enjoy.

The days passed slowly. Merlin slowly became more used to the knights and prince being around him, as well as Gwen and Morgana, who had became much more stationary after the first couple of days.

The thing that surprised the group the most was the fact that Merlin was so trusting of them. He always looked to the bright side and was almost always smiling and laughing with them. Still, the cuts and bruises were still healing up at their own pace and there were days were it hurt for Merlin to move and laugh and talk much because of the injuries he was hiding under his clothing.

It was on one of those days about a week after Merlin really started opening up to the knights that he found himself in the courtyard, enjoying the sunshine. It was still warm out and Merlin was glad that he'd decided to drag hself up out of bed that morning.

About ten minutes later, he heard the jeering laughter he was used to by now from the knights and moved to see what was going on.

He froze where he stood when he caught sight of Arthur and a couple of the older knights standing near a young-looking servant. He couldn't be older than Arthur and Merlin.

Target practice. It's only target practice, Merlin thought, but his eyes widened in horror when Arthur threw a balde into the target while the servant carried it.

One of the knights - Percival, Merlin's mind supplied - caught sight of the raven-haired boy and spoke softly to Arthur, who jerked a bit and looked up to see Merlin staring at him with wide eyes that shown in surprise and hurt.

Arthur dropped the blades in his hands and yelled out. "Merlin!"

But Merlin's eyes had teared up and he took off running in the other direction. Away. Just away.

Arthur went to go after him, but Percival caught him. "Nope, you've done enough damage."he said. His voice sounded disapproving. "I told you it was a bad idea, did I not? Now Merlin's seen you do that and is probably horrified by what he's just seen."

"I didn't mean for him to see.."Arthur responded.

About an hour later, Gwen stormed out to Arthur and the knights on the training grounds. She stopped in front of Arthur, glaring icily at him. "What have you done?"she demanded. "Merlin showed up at Morgana's door having a panic attack! We had to call Gauis to come help, and he's only just now calmed enough to breathe normally,"

Arthur frowned. "I'm sorry, Gwen. Is he okay?"

Gwen's eyes softened and she frowned. "He's terrified. Wouldn't let Gauis come near him. Barely let Morgana lead him to a seat. He was having enough trouble today as it was, and you went and made it worse. I hope you're proud of yourself."

Percival spoke softly. "Think I could come speak with him?"he asked.

Gwen shook her head. "He won't speak to anyone. Just make sure your prat is ready to deal with him tomorrow, we'll make sure he gets out here."

Arthur didn't rest at all that evening. He knew he'd hurt Merlin. He hadn't meant for him to see that.

The following morning during training, Merlin came up, arms around himself tightly and stopped a distance away from them. His smile was gone and his eyes showed nothing but fear and doubt.

Arthur immediately dropped his weapons and gave Merlin a searching look.

Percival spoke softly when Merlin had come to a stop near them. "Hello, Merlin."he greeted.

Merlin gave a smile in response. "Hello, Percy."

Percival smiled softly. "I hope the prat didn't scare you too much,"he commented. "He didn't mean to scare you."

Merlin gave Arthur a look before a frown showed up. "Not too much,"he responded.

"I am sorry, Merlin."Arthur said, voice soft.

Merlin's eyes narrowed. "You reminded me of my father, you know. He was always the kind to act without thinking too. And it usually led to injuries, and almost got my mother killed."he deadpanned. "I don't care that you're sorry, Arthur. You had no right to do something like that to anyone! What if you had missed? You would have killed him and felt no remorse!"

Arthur flinched back at that. "I didn't mean..."

"For me to see,"Merlin finished. "I know. Morgana told me. So did Gwen. But I did. And you've reminded me of the worst possible person I know. How am I supposed to trust you if all you do is hurt others?"

Arthur had the decency to stop and look down.

Leon sighed at this scene. "Now, Merlin. You don't know the whole story. He had others pressuring him into it."

Merlin looked to Leon before he nodded. "Fine."he grumbled.

After that, Merlin stayed away in bed for a good week. He carefully avoided the knights and the prince for the week after that. Then things went back to normal like none of it had ever happened.

The knights grew more protective over Merlin, and Arthur always kept a close eye on the warlock carefully to make sure no harm could befall him.

Merlin went out of his way to help the other servants as much as he could, as well as helping Gauis when he was needed. He never stayed in one spot for longer than it took to get a task accomplished unless he was hanging around talking with someone. And there were plenty of people to talk to, plenty of people asking how he was or what he was up to. Most of the people in Camelot knew Merlin because the knights and Arthur were always talking either with him or about him. He'd fast become like a brother to them, someone they'd defend to the death.

Merlin couldn't help but think it was nice to have people in his life that cared that much for him.

I'm exhausted. So..I'll go back and read this after I've recouped from my terrible camping experience and want to kill myself for all the mistakes and mischaracterisations. But I've got a skit to worry about tomorrow. And I need some damned sleep..

So, yeah.