Merlin followed Arthur who was walking alongside David. It turned out that the security the villagers needed was not so much with bandits, but more so against foxes eating their chickens. The knights, along with Merlin and Arthur, had helped David and a few of the villagers build the chicken hut.
"Now, once the chickens bunker down for the night, you just put this board here," Arthur demonstrated, "and the chickens will be safe until you let them out in the morning. You can go through the door here to gather eggs."
"Thank you for your help, your Majesty," David said with gratitude.
"Of course. What about the village's defenses?" Arthur asked, eyeing the tree line with fervor.
"Sire, we haven't been attacked since Kanen," one of the helping villagers told him.
"Just because you haven't been, doesn't mean you won't be. David, why don't you and Leon go design a small lookout tower, and we can start a stone fence around the village," Arthur said, making it sound much more than a request.
"Yes, sire," Leon nodded.
"Men," Arthur said, addressing the other knights, "go have lunch." The others thanked him and left. "Come with me," Arthur said harshly against Merlin's ear.
Merlin's first instinct was to question, to make a snarky remark, but the look on Arthur's face told him it was not the time. Instead, Merlin followed as Arthur trudged toward the small river that was on the other side of the tree line.
Once they were out of sight from the village, and Merlin had caught up, Arthur pushed him against the nearest tree and growled, "What did you think you were doing?" as he invaded Merlin's space.
"What are you talking about?" Merlin asked, increasingly becoming angry.
"With Rolf," he spat the name.
"He just asked if I was okay," Merlin told him, trying to push him away.
"Why wouldn't you be?" he bit out.
"I was thinking about Will!" Merlin told him, raising his voice.
Arthur's aggressive stance immediately diminished. "Oh," he said quietly.
"Yeah, oh. Why were you so upset?" Merlin asked, much quieter now. Arthur didn't say anything, but Merlin could see a slight blush rise to Arthur's sun-kissed skin. "Were you jealous?" Merlin asked, a smirk playing at his lips.
Arthur surged forward, capturing Merlin's lips with his own. Merlin's hands moved from Arthur's chest where he had been pushing him away, to wrapping them around his neck and threading his fingers through the Prince's golden hair. Arthur was the one to break away this time, and they were both harshly panting. "I don't anyone else touching you," Arthur said possessively.
"He was just patting my shoulder," Merlin justified.
"I didn't like the way he was looking at you," Arthur said. "Nor you to him."
"Arthur, it didn't… I… Rolf has nice eyes, and it didn't mean anything. Really," Merlin told him in all honesty. "It won't happen again, no matter how arousing it was to see you jealous."
Arthur sighed and moved away. "Merlin," he groaned. Merlin watched as he pushed at his britches. "You really going to kill me." He pointed a finger at his manservant as if to make it clearer. Merlin just grinned at him. Now that the tension had been resolved, Arthur spoke again. "C'mon. Let's go make sure the knights aren't getting in to any trouble."
…
That night, Merlin could Arthur's urge to take him to bed, but thankfully, he had kept his word. The next morning, they were back to Camelot, and Arthur made a point to have Merlin, and his horse next to his for the entire trip back.
Merlin was able to settle into a familiar rhythm the next few days. It seemed that without magic, Arthur was much less a target, but Uther was still a tyrant. His taxes were insane, and he was still bloodthirsty and eager to take more land for Camelot; however, he dared not attack. Merlin noticed that even with the horrid taxes, Camelot was still very prosperous. The inner city thrived, and when he walked about, it didn't appear that anyone in the lower town went without. Merlin knew he could be happy here, if he tried, but there was an ache in his chest every time he tried to do a spell.
He and Arthur never went further than kissing and rutting against each other, but Merlin always stopped them before they could do too much. He loved the sounds Arthur would make when he grabbed a fist of hair or kiss along his neck, and Merlin would use those sounds when he was alone. He wondered if Arthur did, too.
"We're going on a hunt today," Arthur announced once Merlin had helped him dress.
"Should I prepare the horses?" Merlin asked, pulling out Arthur's chainmail.
"Yes. Ask Gaius if he needs any herbs while we're out. May as well gather them. Two birds with one stone and all that," Arthur said with a wave of his hand.
"Of course, sure," Merlin nodded as he tightened a strap, letting his fingers graze Arthur's clothed form.
"Good. We leave in an hour."
Gaius, thankfully, hadn't needed anything, so Merlin, Arthur and a small hunting party, vsimilar to the one that went with them to Ealdor, traveled to Arthur's favorite area, just a couple miles from the castle. They were all quiet, keeping an ear and eye open for any game. Something felt off, but it seemed only Merlin sensed it.
"Sire," he whispered, trying to get Arthur's attention.
"What is it, Merlin?" he asked, drawing Merlin's name out with annoyance.
"Something's not right," he said, trotting to Arthur's horse.
"Don't be an idiot, Merlin," Arthur said.
"I'm serious, Arthur."
"Merlin, would you please shut up? You'll scare all the game away!"
"But, Arthur—" Arthur's glare shut him up. Several minutes later, they found a boar rooting around. The party slid from their horses, all of them taking aim—except for Merlin—but waited for Arthur's signal. Just as Arthur was about to nod, a twig snapped. Immediately, five heads whipped towards Merlin as the boar ran off.
"Wasn't me!" he said, holding his hands up in defense. There was only grass and dirt around his feel.
"If it wasn't you," one of the knights began, "then who…" his words were cut off as an arrow hit his should, causing his to barrel into the ground.
"Bandits!" Arthur shouted, and the other four knights surrounded him instantaneously.
Merlin grabbed the fallen knight's crossbow, aiming in the direction of the arrow. Fifteen filthy, rugged men charged toward them, all brandishing swords. Each knight fired an arrow, striking a man each, but dropped them in favor for their swords. Merlin dragged the wounded knight back and reloaded the crossbow. Once they were safe, Merlin turned his attention to the others. They were all holding their own, with Arthur fighting three of them while the others fought two. Merlin was in awe, watching until the last man fell.
"That wasn't so bad," Arthur panted with a grin. The others laughed with him, but a small glint caught Merlin's eye.
"Alright there, Merlin?" Leon asked looking at Merlin warily.
A moment later, an arrow was released, hitting its target with a thud. The party swung around and watched as the final bandit fell out of a tree. The knights looked from the fallen bandit back to Merlin with inscrutable looks. "Merlin?" Arthur started, "Did you actually just hit him? With a crossbow?" The stare was one of complete bewilderment.
"Umm… yeah?" Merlin said with a shrug.
"Good job," Leon said proudly.
"Yeah, uh, thanks," Merlin said, completely embarrassed at the praise, and blushed brightly. The knights clapped him on his shoulders and back as they passed them and made their way to their horses. Two of them helped the injured knight on his horse before saddling onto their own.
The look on Arthur's face was indecipherable to Merlin. Arthur stared at him, and it made Merlin fidget. "Good job, Merlin," he said quietly, and the blush spread to the tip of Merlin's ears. "Let's get back to Camelot."
The ride was quick, and the hurt man was taken to Gaius who swiftly patched him up. Merlin and Arthur returned to Arthur's chambers so Merlin could help the Prince out of his chain mail. After several moments of silence, Arthur finally spoke. "How did you know?" he asked.
"Know what?" he asked as he unlatched the straps.
"About the bandits. You said something was off, and you were right. I should've listened to you. Maybe Erbidain wouldn't have gotten hurt," Arthur said sadly.
"Yeah, maybe, but he's okay. Gaius has healed worse," Merlin said proudly. Merlin pulled the chainmail from Arthur's body and put it in its rightful place. When Merlin made his way back to Arthur, the Prince had pulled the warlock to him, and had him on the bed in the blink of an eye, straddling his slim hips and kissed him breathlessly. When Arthur finally pulled away, their blue eyes were wide and bright. "Arthur… What—"
"You were magnificent today. Really. Never seen you do that before," Arthur praised, leaving small kisses against Merlin's cheek and neck.
Merlin moaned and lifted his hips towards Arthur's, seeking friction. "Just… just trying to protect you," he managed to mutter. "Always try to keep you safe."
"That's not your job," Arthur protested. "My life is not worth yours." Arthur's face was buried into Merlin's neck, just breathing.
Merlin's hips stopped, and he quickly rolled the over, surprising Arthur with the movement. "Arthur," he began, "I would die a hundred times over to make sure you were okay. You're going to be a great king, and the people of Camelot need you. I'm just a lowly servant. No one needs me."
Arthur, who had been looking away from the man above him, quickly snapped his eyes to Merlin's. His brought his hands to Merlin's face and forced him to look at him. "Merlin, I never, never want to hear you say that again. Your mother needs you. Gwen, Gaius, Lancelot needs you. I need you," Arthur said sincerely. "Tell me you understand." Merlin swallowed and nodded. "You need to actually tell me."
"Yes," Merlin gasped. "I understand."
Arthur flipped them again and kissed Merlin soundly. "Now, say it," he said, pushing himself against Merlin's body.
"What do you want me to say?" Merlin murmured.
"Say 'I am needed.'"
"I am needed," Merlin said, looking away from Arthur with a blush.
"Look at me." Merlin complied. "Now, say that you're wanted."
"I am needed," Merlin whispered, staring into Arthur's eyes.
"I need… I need you to promise that you won't risk your life for mine," Arthur told him, running a hand through his unruly black hair.
Merlin shook his head. "I can't do that, Arthur. If I can save you, I will. If it's you or me, I'll always choose you."
"Merlin…" Arthur drawled.
"No. I can't promise you that, and please don't make me," Merlin said, sitting up.
Arthur leaned back on his haunches. Arthur sighed loudly and dropped his head. "I just… I don't want to lose you, Merlin. I don't want to be without you." Arthur's eyes caught Merlin's, and the look on Arthur's face made Merlin's heart jump into his throat. Arthur hadn't said it, but Merlin knew what he meant. Arthur loved him.