A/N: I am so sorry about the lack of updates! I honestly wish that I could keep things consistent, but life has really just thrown me for a loop and I'm trying to keep up with everything. My anxiety has been particularly bad for the past few weeks and I'm just now getting a bit better, so I'll try my best to get the chapters up. I'm also going to be changing the tense of the writing from now on, so sorry if that becomes a little bit confusing.

Chapter Five

"You do not have to walk me to the castle, Merlin," Betony said after the two had left the view of the field and she stopped walking, turning on her heel to look at the servant with a friendly smile.

"Well, I do have orders from the prince," Merlin stated with a faint smile. "Besides, I do not wish to return to training if I can help it, so you are in fact doing me a favor in allowing me to walk you to the palace."

"Fine, I suppose I do not mind you coming along then. Arthur always gets so wound up by this tournament anyway that he likely has found himself some knights to boss around already. He won't even notice if you return or not to practice."

Betony gave a faint laugh, her eyes glittering in amusement as her lips turned upward into a smile. Merlin returned the smile as the two continued to walk toward the palace, a faint clunking noise following them as Merlin attempted to remove pieces of the armor he was still wearing. The princess watched in amusement as he continued his attempts to remove the armor. After several moments, she stopped him with a laugh and then reached out one hand to grab his arm.

"You surely cannot do that successfully while we are walking," she interjected with a shake of her head and a faint grin. "Allow me to help you."

Merlin opened his mouth to object, but Betony shook her head again and suddenly grabbed the helmet from his hands. To stop him from speaking, she hopped up onto her toes and silenced him by planting the helmet roughly onto his head. She then stepped back with a laugh, loosening one of his gauntlets as she did so and pulling it off as she moved backward.

"I could simply leave the armor on until I reach my chambers." His voice came out muffled through the holes in his helmet and he shook his head, lifting both arms to once again remove it and tuck it under one arm. He then took the gauntlet from Betony and held that under his arm as well.

"Fine, I will not help you then. You seem capable enough to do it yourself."

Betony looked at him, still clearly amused as she turned her back to him and began to walk up the steps to the palace. Merlin hurriedly clambered up the steps after her, the metal armor making a racket as he finally reached the top and then continued to follow the princess. She eventually slowed down and then stopped altogether, allowing the servant to catch up with her as she came to the door.

"A bit slow are we?"

"You and Arthur certainly are twins, aren't you?" Merlin muttered under his breath as he stopped next to her, the helmet still tucked tightly under one arm.

Betony smirked a bit, eyes glittering as she spoke, "Alright then, you can leave me here. I believe I will be able to get to my chambers without your assistance."

"Very well, m'lady." Merlin dipped his head as best he could in the armor before he began toward Gaius' chambers.

Merlin entered the chambers, beginning to remove his armor as he walked over to the table where Gaius sat. He muttered faintly to himself and roughly tossed the last pieces of armor onto the ground. As he sat down, Gaius walked over to him and placed both hands on his shoulders. Merlin winced at the sudden pressure and his eyebrow pulled together in pain.

"So, how was your first day as Arthur's servant?" He spoke gently as he began to rub Merlin's shoulders, eyes scanning the boy for injury.

"It was horrible and I've still got to learn all about tournament etiquette by the morning." Merlin trailed off for a moment before he spoke again, face pinched as Gaius continued to scan him. "I only just got out of it because the princess came along."

"Oh, how's that?"

"Something happened to make Arthur send her back to the palace. Had me bring her so he could continue training down at the fields."

Gaius raised an eyebrow in question as he continued to rub Merlin's shoulders gently. He would have to get much more medicine to treat bruises at this rate... "Is the Lady Betony well?"

"I believe so. I'm unsure why he wished to have her brought back, but I do know that she wasn't injured."

"Perhaps I shall go see if the princess is well, right after I make sure you are taken care of." Gaius lightly gripped Merlin's upper arm and then nudged him. "Get up then."

Merlin nodded slowly as he stood up, allowing Gaius to guide him up the steps and into his room. He then sat down heavily on the bed, wincing yet again and pressing a hand to his side. Gaius guided his legs up onto the bed and then he undid the tie on the front of his tunic to examine the bruises on his chest before he lifted the edge of the clothing piece and scanned the boy's side.

"You best get some rest, Merlin. These look fairly painful and who knows how hard you got hit over the head." Gaius pressed a hand to his chest as Merlin tried to sit himself up. "No, I said to rest Merlin."

"Arthur is likely expecting me to go back. And I have other tasks to complete that I-"

"I shall inform the prince that you will not be able to do so until tomorrow."

"But-"

"No, Merlin."

Merlin groaned and laid back on the pillow, one arm curling around his stomach as Gaius continued to poke at him. He muttered to himself in annoyance as Gaius finally stood and patted Merlin on the shoulder. He then turned around and went down the steps to collect some supplies, calling over his shoulder as he left.

"You best be in that bed when I return from checking on the princess."

A muffled affirmation can be heard coming from Merlin's room as Gaius picked up a small case of supplies and then went toward the door. He shook his head, muttering to himself as he walked toward Betony's chambers. As he arrived at the outer door, he lifted a hand to lightly knock on the door. He waited several moments and, when he did not receive a response, he pushed the door open just a crack.

He heard a clattering sound within the chamber and then muted cursing as he finally entered the room. Standing near the back wall, he saw Betony patting out what appeared to be a flame on the curtains. He raised an eyebrow and was about to call something out when he saw the princess turn, eyes flashing bright gold as she once again cursed under her breath. The flames finally went out and she sighed in relief.

As she saw Gaius at the door, her jaw dropped and she stumbled backward against the wall out of shock. Gaius quickly stepped forward, both arms raised to show he meant no harm as he looked toward her. Her breath caught in her throat and she looked around frantically for a way to get out.

"You have magic?"