When they arrived at the edge of the training field, Arthur started his customary I'm -going-to-work-you all-into-the-ground speech.
"Where'd you get that bruise, Merlin?" Gwaine interrupted with a slight smirk on his face, yet an edge to his voice that showed he wasn't amused. He was no doubt thinking of Merlin either being in a fight or knocking into a wall and was stuck between laughing at the prospect and killing the one responsible.
Merlin couldn't hide his surprise and quickly looked down, thinking that one of his sleeves had come up, but saw that both arms were still completely covered. For a second he was confused and stammered out, "W-what bruise?" As soon as the words were out of his mouth his pounding left eye reminded him exactly which one Gwaine was talking about.
Gwaine looked at him incredulously, worried, but quickly masked it with a chuckle and a knowing twinkle in his eyes. "Oh, no worries Merlin. I know what it's like waking up with marks you didn't notice before. In one bar, I think it was the Shining Arrow, no that was last week, it was the Red Comet, no that was the week before…. Well anyway, I was so drunk that….."
"Shut up Gwaine!" Arthur yelled now a deep shade of red. He refused to admit that his color came only partially from Gwaine's antics and mostly from shame of hitting his man servant. I shouldn't be such a girl, he thought. It was just an accident. Merlin understands. Besides its not like I hit him all the time, or use him to blow off steam. Merlin is rubbing off on me. I'm being overly sensitive. Ignoring his guilt and shame he focused all his energy on his annoyance with Gwaine.
By now all the knights were busy trying to hold in their laughs and almost completely forgot about what had started the conversation. Almost. Gwaine couldn't help but notice Merlin looking down to his arms as soon as he had said the word, "bruise." He was worried about Merlin. What is he hiding? he thought. Still, Gwaine handled things the Gwaine-way, and didn't want to ruin Merlin's trust by interrogating him. But if Gwaine finds out that someone's hurting Merlin…..well then Gwaine might just end up with a couple of "marks" that he doesn't remember.
"Relax princess," Gwaine said, his face turning suddenly serious. He knew when joking stopped and training began. Though today, he would focus on something else: Merlin watching.
Arthur calmed down and started his normal training outline speech again, "Today we will be focusing on agility and speed. Some of you have been very sluggish during our sparring recently, and I think it's time we fixed that. Start with 20 laps around the field!"
For all their determination, at this even the eyes of the fearless knights widened. They grumbled before starting to run.
Arthur smirked and turned to Merlin. "Merlin, let's start with some sparing," he said.
Merlin screamed inside his head. For a second he had thought Gwaine had figured it out, and had to concentrate hard on hiding his emotions. On one hand, he had almost been relieved that someone was actually noticing and that his body wouldn't have to go through that torment again. On the other, he was afraid of Gwaine's reaction. Merlin wasn't stupid. He knew that Gwaine would gladly punch Arthur in the face, and Merlin's injuries would be the perfect excuse to do it. Not only that, but then Arthur would know. "You're such a girl Merlin…or worse...suck it up Merlin, you're just a servant…or worst of all…. I don't care, Merlin. I meant to hurt you, Merlin" he would say.
Merlin swallowed his emotions and turned to face Arthur.
A/N: Like? Hate? Review, please!
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P.S. Do you think Merlin is out of OOC? I've received one or two reviews saying that may story isn't believable. What do you think?