Disclaimer- I don't own BBC Merlin. However I do own my OCs.

A huge thanks to Paralelsky for beta-ing! Any resulting mistakes are mine alone since I tampered with it a tad.

Enjoy!

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Merlin watched dawn pass through the window in the physician's chambers, idly pushing around the remains of his porridge. Arthur would want to sleep in today and Merlin had absolutely no problem sitting around doing nothing. He would have enjoyed it more if it weren't for Gaius' keen eyed stare. "Well, would you like to tell me what is wrong, Merlin?"

The warlock looked up at his guardian and back at his bowl. "Nothing is wrong," he replied but immediately thought of Sir Winston and the fact that Aldwin might tell Arthur about last night's mishap. Contrary to his statement, the thought of his problems made him sigh. Gaius' stare immediately turned deprecatory while his eye brow rose to greater heights than before.

"Oh really?" The physician asked archly.

Merlin sent him a small smile. "Just... a troublesome knight."

"And would that troublesome knight be the reason you came home so late last night?"

"Not that late," Merlin lied.

The warlock averted his gaze at Gaius' deepened frown. "I suppose three hours ago counts as early then."

"How did you know?" Merlin asked with a furrowed brow, "You didn't stir when I came in."

"Do not avoid the question, Merlin," Gaius told him.

An anxious sigh was expelled from Merlin's lips and he looked out the window for some form of inspiration. "I'm late!" He said loudly and sprang out of his chair.

"Merlin!" Gaius called.

"Talk to you later, Gaius!" Merlin bid and then took off out of the room.

Gaius stood up more sedately and yelled after him, "If you are having trouble, Merlin, you can come to me!" But the physician was given no indication that his ward heard him. Sighing to himself, he settled down at his table to begin his work. A fretful wrinkle made its home between his eyes for the rest of the day.

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With wary footsteps, Merlin traipsed the empty halls of the castle. The warm sunlight drifting through the windows had made the warlock glad he left his jacket at home, and at the same time the bright hallways had put a bit of a spring in his step as he walked to his destination. But that was before he stopped by the kitchens to get the prince's breakfast. There, they informed him that it was already taken care of.

So now Merlin was making his way to Arthur's chambers with a confused and guarded bearing. The thought of Winston popping out and hitting him with the prince's breakfast dominated his worries, for he would not put it past the knight- even though the man appeared to favour dramatics. A glower flashed across the servant's face, wondering why he was the focus of Winston's anger. But he would rather it be himself than someone else- Merlin knew he could handle the knight if it came down to it.

The warlock was so occupied with his thoughts that he almost passed by Arthur's door without stopping. Merlin looked left and right, to check for any waiting threats and if anyone had seen him, but to his relief he found only the marble hallway, gleaming from the sun and a recent cleaning. Relaxing muscles he didn't know had tensed, he opened the prince's door without a knock. Merlin's smile grew when he saw that Gwen was sitting across from Arthur who was sharing a large breakfast with her. They both looked around at his entrance.

"Gwen!" Merlin greeted happily. "How are you?" Thoughts of Winston immediately flew away on sight of a friendly face.

"I'm fine, Merlin, thank you. It's good to see you," she smiled brightly.

Arthur looked at Merlin in mock reproach and interrupted the servant. "What am I, chopped liver?"

Merlin grinned and dipped into a ridiculously low bow. "I sincerely apologize, your majesty. Would you ever be able to forgive me?"

Both Arthur and Guinevere were amused at his antics and the prince's response was thoughtful. "Perhaps, if you polish my armour, manservant," he replied overly graciously.

Merlin laughed and then looked toward the dresser where he usually stacked the prince's armour when he was too lazy to bring it to the armoury. He knew a hint when he heard one and was all too happy to give his friends some time alone. Merlin's smile disappeared when he found the dresser empty except for a small dust moat sparkling above it.

"Behind the drawer. In the corner, remember," Arthur supplied helpfully, causing Merlin to brighten.

"Oh, yeah!" Merlin strode to the corner and unearthed the armour from underneath some dirty clothes he would have to take care of later.

Gwen's features pulled taught as Merlin gathered the armour into his arms. "Aren't you hungry, Merlin?"

She was rewarded with a brilliant smile for her concern. "No, I already ate. Thanks though, Gwen."

"If you're sure..." Gwen tried.

"Yep, I'll see you two later," Merlin smiled. When he passed behind Guinevere and was out of her line of sight, he winked overtly to Arthur. "Enjoy your time alone," he gave one final tease before opening the door and fleeing the prince's scowl.

A short laugh escaped him even as he almost lost his balance carrying an armful of armour. Merlin's feet carried him to the armoury where there were no prying eyes belonging to Gaius. It was empty when he arrived and he gratefully dumped the armour on an available table. Merlin sighed in relief and stretched out his arms while looking for the polishing tools. He found a full bottle of oil and a cloth by the sword rack and decided to polish Arthur's sword for him as he didn't want to tackle the armour just yet. After claiming a chair and starting his work, he began to hum. It was not too long before he finished, and he held the blade out to inspect his work. His reflection smiled perfectly back at him but revealed a frowning figure at his back. Merlin jumped a mile and vaulted upward to face Sir Winston, accidentally dropping the sword with a loud clatter in surprise. He frowned in dismay upon seeing that Winston had brought three friends with him- Lords Eustace, Rickard, and Cor.

"My lords," Merlin greeted evenly but did not reach to pick up the sword, choosing instead to stand right where he was. All they did was laugh and congratulate themselves at sneaking up on a servant. Merlin barely restrained himself from retorting but Winston, as always, sensed his poorly hidden ire.

"Got something to say, servant?" The knight smirked cruelly.

"Is there anything I can do for you, my lord?" Merlin kept his gaze averted.

"Yes actually," Winston answered pleasantly, "you can polish my boots." The three lords behind Winston laughed as he reached for the polish beside Merlin who instinctively backed up a step. He frowned at the knight who slowly extended his arm to the side and dropped the bottle. It fell and shattered on the ground with a loud crash, the light coloured oil bursting in all directions. "With your tongue."

Merlin immediately drew back and balled his hands into fists. "What have I ever done to you?" Indignant fury made his sapphire eyes glimmer. There was no way Merlin would do as Winston wanted so he would try to put off the inevitable fight which this would surely become.

Winston narrowed his eyes and laughed incredulously. "It is your fault that I am to be training with the squires, your fault that the knights think I am unworthy, your fault that the prince detests me!" With every declaration, he took a menacing step toward Merlin who backtracked only to find himself cornered. He quickly sized up his foes, deciding very quickly that all of them could best him in physical strength. But Winston, and Merlin to a point, were the only ones trained by Arthur so he could perhaps escape the grasps of the smug looking lords.

The warlock turned his angered eyes to Winston and replied in a clipped voice. "The fault belongs to you. I have no control over your actions."

The knight's answer was to grab the scruff of Merlin's shirt. "Say that again."

Merlin flicked his eyes down to Winston's tightly clenched fist before doing something that surprised even himself. He brought his knee up sharply and kicked Winston right where it hurt, gaining the desired effect of freeing himself. The knight fell to his knees and cried out, unable to stop Merlin from dashing past him. With a little unnoticed magic, Merlin slipped by the three shocked lords and ran toward the exit. Just as hope started to ignite, a hand belonging to Lord Cor shot out and caught him by the back of his shirt. It ripped with the momentum he changed direction and his feet slid clean off the ground. Merlin hit the floor very fast and caught his shoulder blade on the corner of a table, which sent the contents flying as it flipped. He could not keep in a shout of pain and then aggravation as the two other lords caught up with him and forced him on his knees.

Merlin scowled at Winston who was standing hunched and wearing an intense look of hate. He strode over to Merlin and backhanded him across the face. "How dare you!" He hissed after Merlin's head snapped back into place.

A trickle of blood meandered down the corner of Merlin's mouth and he glared furiously up at the knight. "You want me to polish your boots?" He asked lowly. Merlin immediately turned his head downward and spat blood on Winston's leather clad feet.

There was a small moment where Merlin had time to tense before Winston used his now stained boot to harshly kick Merlin directly in the stomach. Pain immediately flared in his gut and back, and his breath was stolen in a raw cough. The warlock tried to curl in on himself but was held back by the tight grip on his shoulders and arms. Merlin heaved in breaths of air but could not seem to get enough. He didn't know why he was surprised when Winston kicked him once more. But the surprise wore off as the knight kept going, his foot making contact with painful thuds that rattled Merlin's frame.

When the lords began to have trouble restraining Merlin's thumping body, Winston abruptly stopped and stepped back, allowing the warlock to groan and try to catch his breath. "Leave us," he heard Winston tell his friends. While he was dreading what Winston planned to do now, he was relieved when the men behind him let him go, and he wrapped his arms around his throbbing stomach, allowing himself to bend forward. The receding footsteps sounded dull in Merlin's ears as his heartbeat pounded in his head. When he thought they were gone, he readied himself to lash out with his magic but was unprepared for another strike from Winston. It sent him off balance, enabling the knight to drag him upwards and slam him into the marble wall. The already scarce air passing through his lips stuttered jarringly, as a strong arm pressed against his chest to pin him.

"You have no idea, do you? What real violence is?" Winston whispered.

Merlin's eyes flashed as he glowered at the knight. "Oh, I have a- good idea. I was born a peasant- remember." His voice was strained from the pain and lack of air still knocked out of him. "Arthur is right about you."

Winston stared at him unimpressed. "I've had enough of you." His hands moved in a flash to clamp around Merlin's throat in a vice like grip. Panic immediately bubbled to the surface and at once he attempted to yank Winston's hands away. Merlin tried to gasp in air but it was useless- Winston raised his arms so Merlin's feet dangled an inch off the ground. When his kicks served to do nothing, Winston laughed. "Arthur is almost as big a fool as you are. I'm doing him a favour." Anger flooded Merlin giving him just enough strength to jab Winston in the eyes. The knight howled and released Merlin, now holding his hands to his eyes instead of strangling the warlock.

Merlin dropped like a sack of rocks, wheezing and trying to regain his balance, wishing he had thought of that sooner. His limbs shook and his stomach pulsed in pain, rending him unable to get up from the ground. Now that Winston could not see, Merlin decided to use his magic- his eyes heated with gold and time crashed to a standstill. While the knight was cringing in pain and swearing at him, Merlin took his chance to drag himself away. He felt his focus slipping though and he just managed to fumble for a sword when the spell collapsed- Merlin's fingers closed around the one he dropped earlier, the one that belonged to Arthur. Winston snarled and pried one watering eye open. He wrenched his sword out of his scabbard and advanced on the servant. Merlin tried moving backwards but placed his weight on the arm that landed on the table earlier. Searing pain shot from his shoulder blade down his arm and it collapsed from under him. Merlin's back hit the ground with a thud and he was just able to swing the sword defensively above him to meet Winston's diving blade.

"Ah!" Merlin's hold on the sword was already feeble and it went flying out of his hand when Winston slashed at it. He barely had time to slide to the right as Winston stabbed downwards. Through luck or Winston's lack of vision, the blade stabbed through the side of his shirt but missed his skin. Merlin swiftly twisted and knocked the sword out of Winston's grip in a move Arthur had drilled into him. A frustrated growl resounded in the room and Winston adapted to his lack of weapon successfully. He dropped his knee onto Merlin's stomach and his full falling weight wrestled his breath away in a sudden harsh blow. Winston's hands were abruptly wringing Merlin's throat, blocking air the warlock desperately needed. Merlin struggled but knew in his panicked mind that he would have to reveal his secret in order to survive. He readied his magic but before he was able to attack, Winston was shoved away from him in a sudden flurry of movement. The immediate rush of air and release of pressure from his middle was more than enough to make him gag, and he could not help but vomit to the side. The black fog sizzling in his vision receded enough for Merlin to see a figure moving in front of him, but his stomach throbbed and he could not stop a dry heave which only made everything hurt more.

When a gauntlet clattered to the ground in front of him, he thought it was Arthur. But then his vision cleared and he was greeted the back of Sir Aldwin's head. Merlin's eyebrows shot up of their own accord.

"Pick it up," Aldwin ordered Winston.

Merlin swallowed compulsively and still didn't feel ready to stand up. Now that he wasn't being pummelled, he realized his head was ringing as well.

"What do you think you are doing, Aldwin?" Winston sneered.

"I could ask the same to you. I challenge you to a duel. First clean hit wins." Aldwin's words were short and furious, and Merlin was glad he couldn't see his face.

Winston scoffed, "As you wish, boy." He bent to pick up the gauntlet and right after he straightened, Aldwin's hand twitched into a fist. Winston drew back but Aldwin did not move from his position in front of Merlin.

Winston turned a smirk to Merlin who rather obtusely spat onto the ground. The hostile knight readied a reprimand but glanced at Aldwin and thought better of it. "What are your terms then, surely not death?"

When Aldwin remained quiet, Winston stared. "Not death, but any punishment of our choosing." The way the words chilled the air made Merlin glad Aldwin was not angry with him. He hoped.

"Torture?" Winston asked disbelievingly.

Aldwin made a noise of disgust. "Nothing so dishonourable. Though you deserve a good beating."

"For showing a servant his place?" Winston sneered.

"You were going to kill him!" Aldwin burst out, the yell echoing in the cool armoury.

"And you suddenly care, why?" Winston drawled. "If I remember, you were not happy with the boy either."

Merlin too was interested in the answer and took his eyes off Winston to consider the young knight.

"As knights of Camelot we have sworn to protect those weaker than us. To show honour, humility, and courage. You are not a knight, in fact Merlin would be better suited for our ranks than you," Aldwin spat venomously. "A title does not make a man, but his actions! Something I never properly realized until recently. Merlin is under my protection now, so do not even think of harming him again."

"I can do whatever I want after our duel," Winston drawled, "you won't be around to stop me."

"You think so, do you?" A frigid voice behind Merlin reverberated inside the room.

Merlin twitched in surprise but was halted from getting up by Arthur's hand pressing down on his shoulder. The warlock's intended greeting faded upon seeing the rage in the prince. The blonde man carried himself tensely like he was about to erupt any second and his face was cold despite holding smouldering cerulean eyes.

"My lord," both Aldwin and Winston greeted in surprise, though Winston's voice trembled.

Arthur stood beside Merlin and his words were for him though his eyes still pierced Winston's. "Can you stand up, Merlin?" Arthur asked quietly.

Merlin swallowed and found his voice. "Yes" He tried to answer strongly, but the word came out strained and weightless. The warlock rose despite black dots blooming in front of his eyes and the extra breath it took, something he did not quite have yet. Merlin was both grateful and embarrassed that Arthur helped him the rest of the way. The servant found that he could not stand straight and settled for a hunch with his arms still placed protectively over his stomach. Merlin risked a glance at Arthur and nearly flinched, and couldn't help but be surprised that the prince was so angry on his behalf.

"Sir Aldwin, if you would escort Winston to the dungeons. He is to stay there until your duel tomorrow."

"Yes Sire," said Aldwin evenly and Merlin could read nothing in his dark eyes. Winston had the sense to remain silent as Aldwin roughly grabbed his arm and towed him to the dungeons. Aldwin made sure that he was between Merlin and Winston and spared the servant a nod as they passed. Once the armoury door shut behind them, Merlin let out a relieved sigh and gave up on standing.

"I just need a moment," Merlin told Arthur while sinking back onto the ground. He blew outward through his mouth and purposely refrained from looking at the prince.

"Is anything broken?" Arthur asked and knelt down in front of Merlin, gripping his shoulder in what the warlock would have called concern if this wasn't Arthur.

Merlin settled for shaking his head because talking was not at all helping him feel better.

"Are you sure? Your head is bleeding you know."

Merlin nodded and dragged the back of his hand across his chin to wipe away some of the blood. Arthur shifted and reached to gingerly press the back of his servant's head. Merlin hissed and recoiled, glaring at Arthur but faltering upon seeing the blood staining his fingertips. He met Arthur's still furious eyes and was hit with the feeling that he did something wrong.

"Sorry," he said lowly.

"Whatever for?" Arthur asked loudly. Merlin glanced at him and shrugged.

The prince closed his eyes momentarily but it did not have the desired effect of making him less angry. "Come on, let's get you to Gaius," Arthur sighed and extended his hand to Merlin. The servant allowed Arthur to pull him to his feet and though he was careful, Merlin had to hold in a hiss of pain. It showed on his face in a grimace though, something which Arthur thankfully did not comment on. Their slow trek was silent- Merlin knew his voice would be embarrassingly shaky while Arthur did not trust himself to speak. But the warlock found something to be happy about, because he knew that Winston was in for a world of hurt. Arthur may not have admitted it aloud but they were friends, something which Merlin considered an honour to be.

And everyone knew not to mess with the prince.

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So who wants to head the Go Aldwin team? :D Hope you guys liked the climax!

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Kthln- Thank YOU for reviewing. I'm super happy you are enjoying it! And I always try to write and update based on what I'd like to see- and I like longer chapters and short wait times :D

JaydeTiger- :D Thank you! I'm a stickler about grammer and such, but alas if I like the way the words look and go together I'll ignore it lol. At least he has a very pretty mouth ;) Thanks for reviewing!

Arnia- Haha, I'm glad to see you like it. And next update will be less of a wait :) Thank you for your review!

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Thank you for reading! And I just want to say that you guys absolutely rock for giving me 82 reviews already :D

Stay tuned for the final chapter!