Hunts are never a good idea!- Part 1
Chapter Text
It was two weeks later- after the 'Valiant incident'- that Merlin had been declared fit enough to return to his duties.
One good thing that had come out of the complete ordeal was that his headaches had vanished completely…. He had woken up feeling as fresh as a daisy the morning after the snake bit him but still, both Gaius and Arthur had prevented him from returning to his duties.
Arthur had finally- tired of sulking in the castle- claimed this morning that he wanted to go for a hunt, after 2 weeks of being limited to the castle grounds the Prince was feeling especially fidgety, pacing like a caged lion in his cage.
Merlin was naturally, completely against the idea of a hunt but not the going to the forest part. He still hated hunting with a passion because it was usually him that the animals came out to greet- they felt his presence- and got killed by Arthur's skilled hand. He hated it.
Another reason he hated their hunts was that they never ended well. ever.
If there was one thing he had learned in his time in Camelot, it was that their hunts either ended up Arthur getting almost killed as a consequence to a bandit or a sorcerer attack or they ended up getting kidnapped for ransom or something equally nefarious.
Hunting was never fun (or safe) but since when had Arthur ever listened to him?
So, like always, he was ignored and since Arthur hadn't been out of Camelot even once in a month or so- Merlin was being manhandled and coerced emotionally into this hunting... escapade.
Merlin sighed for the umpteenth time and waited for Arthur to emerge out of the castle.
They had come a long way since the Valiant incident- him and Arthur. The Prince was more trusting towards Merlin and even Camelot seemed peaceful- although he was sure the latter was not to stay the same for long.
It had been months since Merlin entered Camelot and already everything was passing him by so fast that it was all giving him whiplash.
He stopped petting Thunder when he spotted Arthur swaggering down the castle steps from the corner of his eyes, making Merlin roll his eyes and shake his head as Arthur smirked at him whilst together they mounted their horses. Merlin on Thunder was as always and Arthur on Hengreon- one of the Prince's mounts.
Merlin had always ignored Arthur in his last lifetime when the Prince had moaned regarding Merlin talking non-stop but today he kept his mouth shut and body tense, already readying himself for an attack as soon as they were out of the Kindom grounds and into the wild forest. Camelot had remained peaceful for a month- and that was honestly a huge feat in itself.
With Arthur's spectacular luck, they would probably have to battle a Griffin, at least 15 bandits and a few sorcerers- just to spice things up.
Hence, the whole trip had also been made in silence because Merlin kept sending out repelling vibrations to all the animals in the forest… he hoped this hunt would turn out to be as successful as Arthur's attempt at dressing himself.
Arthur had other reasons for being silent than only looking for animals to maim.
The Prince had decided to aim two birds with one stone during the hunt. He didn't desperately want to hunt something- only get out of the castle grounds and also, he just wanted to get to know Merlin better... and if he managed to get a game of deer in as well then that was his good luck.
Funny how both Arthur and Merlin had different views regarding Arthur's luck.
The Witchfinder had been quiet since the Valiant episode and Gwen had asked the Prince to speak to Merlin. Man to Man. He sighed too, he wasn't good at such things- things that required feelings- but for Gwen, he had agreed to try.
They dismounted their horses and were now walking on foot to provide stealth to their hunt. Merlin was just as quiet as he had been in Camelot… even his footsteps didn't make any noise- not for the lack of stumbling though, but the witchfinder made sure to walk on grassy areas and avoid overly loud sticks.
The stumbling still confused the prince all the time- how such a graceful man like Merlin could trip over…. nothing and anything. Honestly.
Arthur shook his head as he gripped Merlin's bicep for the 15th time to prevent the other man from hitting a tree, which made the raven-haired man smile at him gratefully as they continued deeper into the forest, still not exchanging any words and maintaining the silence.
The silence that grated on Arthur's nerve.
Usually, it was hard for him to make Merlin stop talking- the witchfinder usually spoke of random things, nothing and everything all at once, always making sure to never add anything personal to the conversation, everything that Merlin had spoken these past months since the initial talk in Gaius's chambers had been... impersonal.
And it stopped today, Arthur decided. The Prince glanced at his companion and contemplated how to approach the situation. He knew any attempt at forcing an answer out of Merlin were useless.
The man was sharp, cunning... Arthur knew his limits. He knew that he was intelligent but Merlin was sly... perhaps even more than Gaius, so there was no way to trick the man into answering his questions. Which left him with only one approach- he would had to be straightforward but also careful, slowly reel in Merlin's interest, demand some but not push too much- just enough- then give something in return, just as security, so that Merlin would trust him to not use the given answers against him as they( Arthur and Morgana) had before.
Arthur might not be as cunning and sly as Merlin was but he was a damn good strategist with a good head on his shoulders- if he played it right he might get to know his witchfinder better.
The Prince managed to hunt down some rabbits and a pheasant- all good games, considering how strongly Merlin was sending out the repel vibes.
Arthur led them to a stream while Merlin followed closely, where the Prince washed his hands and face with cold water while Merlin kept glancing around to make sure that there was no imminent danger that was following them.
He could sense a lot of magic in the forest but that could just be the earth, the trees and stream itself. After coming back to this time his magical senses had been in overload- there was more magic today than there had ever been in the future.
While Merlin contemplated the magic around him, breathing deeply and trying to calm himself- and failing- Arthur kept looking at him, while he remained unaware.
The Prince shook his head again- Why was Merlin always so tense? Always sure that something was going to attack them- cautious… that was his job, yes, and most people said that Arthur was quite attentive but Merlin made Arthur seem laid back.
It was as if every sound, every crunched leaf drew his attention…
The Prince huffed, drawing Merlin's attention.
"What is it?" Oh, the man speaks!
"You're boring me." Arthur drawled, seeing the Witchfinder's eyebrows rise and his eyes narrow,
"Oh, it's good then that your entertainment is not a part of my job."
The Prince rolled his eyes, "You are here for everything I tell you to be here for." Merlin breathed in deeply, trying to reign in his temper, he hated it when Arthur got exceptionally more pratt-ier on some occasions… today seemed like one of such occasions.
Just to appease the Prince, Merlin responded,
"Fine. What do you want me to do, my lord? Juggle some stones? Make you a crown of flowers…anything for your majesty."
Amusement entered Merlin's eyes when he saw the expression on Prince Prat's face…that'll teach him something.
Arthur gritted his teeth and said, "Nothing so strenuous, Merlin- we have already established that you have no sense of coordination, so I will give you an easier way out," Merlin raised his eyebrows, unimpressed,
"Tell me about yourself, you look like a man well-travelled." Merlin snorted. Oh, Arthur has no idea.
"What does my lord wish to know?" wariness accompanied with amusement laced Merlin's voice, Arthur met his eyes steadily and replied with an easy shrug but a difficult word,
"Everything."
Merlin was slowly realizing that though King Arthur and the present Prince Arthur were similar in many traits… destiny had added some more traits to the present Prince. This Arthur was more curious… perhaps to the level of recklessness, still brave and instinctive but… more vulnerable. This Arthur was also somehow less and more emotionally constipated- at the same time.
Previously, Arthur had never been interested in Merlin's life beyond where he was from… but this Arthur was all about asking questions and assuaging his curiosity- perhaps even Arthur in the past had been curious but had always buried that part of himself to appease social constraints. Perhaps such questions were wrong between a Prince and a servant but alright between a Prince and a Witchfinder.
Yes, Arthur had sometimes seemed curious about Merlin's life before Camelot in their previous life but that had always been to understand the life of peasants better, to rule them better. Now... there was no reason that Arthur should be curious about him, but he was.
Merlin is brought out of his reverie when the said Prince waves a hand in front of his face. Merlin bats it away and says,
"I am not that interesting, my lord, and not to mention, an open book." The warlock says in a self-assured voice, while still trying not to trip and thus is surprised when he hears an unusual snort from Arthur.
"Oh, yes" Arthur claims, his tone sarcastic, making Merlin look at him "A book of cyphers."
Merlin's eyebrows draw in with confusion as he shakes his head, pretending to not comprehend what Arthur meant by his previous comment.
Arthur continues in a serious voice,
"Merlin, you are perhaps the most obscure man I have ever met. I have been trained since birth in the art of detecting lies or acts… yet with you, I come up blank."
Perhaps, one more thing to add to the list in the differences, Merlin thought, this Arthur was also brighter than the Prince he had met a 1000 years ago.
"Or maybe, you are just not good at reading people as you think you are." Merlin aimed a smirk at Arthur, trying to coax the Prince away from curiosity and towards indignation- anything that would stop this interrogation but was shocked when Arthur just smiled calmly and looked at him challengingly.
"Perhaps." Arthur nodded with all the calm of a dozing lion and continued, "but it's not just me who thinks so."
Merlin's stomach sank but made sure that his reaction did not show on his face, keeping his smile unwavering. But he knew now that if he fought against Arthur's curiosity now... it will only prove the Prince right and then that curiosity will change into stubborn determination to open each and every secret Merlin had, Arthur was relentless when he needed answers, hence if Merlin did not give in, it will only lead to Arthur watching him like a hawk and following his every step.
Merlin could not afford that, not yet. He internally sighed and did the only thing that he could.
"Alright, then, my lord … what do you want to know?
Arthur smiled slowly, progress.
The Prince pondered for a bit before exclaiming,
"Wait, how would I know that you are answering truthfully?" Arthur asked, remembering that even Merlin's position as a Witchfinder was a lie… the man lied so smoothly that even his father had been fooled.
"You… don't." Merlin replied honestly, making Arthur frown and pause, well that was unacceptable.
"I will only accept the truth Merlin… or nothing at all." Merlin knew Arthur would want it this way…. And maybe he could agree for this trip, as it was almost over.
But… what if Arthur asked him about magic that he couldn't answer. Or his age, perhaps.
"What if… there are some things that I can't tell you? Personal stuff?" Arthur looked at him, curiously for a second before turning contemplative and came up to a conclusion.
"Fine, you should answer the questions you can- truthfully- and the answers that you can't answer… you can perhaps say 'later' for them." Merlin swallowed. He had a feeling that this was a bad idea.
But again, this way he and Arthur would get closer… perhaps regain the camaraderie they had before. The longing for his best friend made Merlin's heart, ache- Arthur was so close yet… it would take years for him to consider Merlin a friend. Years before they were Merlin and Arthur again and not just the Prince and the witchfinder, and then years before they became King and Sorcerer.
Perhaps, this little game could help them along faster.
"But," And this was why Merlin knew Arthur would make an excellent king, the 'but' that always accompanied the Prince during treaties between kingdoms. This was the Prince's negotiating face,
"if I let you do this… then that would mean fewer questions answered, and since the 'later' has no time limit… even my questioning won't have a time limit."
Merlin drew back, "What do you mean?" Arthur smirked, turning his body towards Merlin, "What I mean is, that I will continue asking questions until you answer all of them… be it 3 years… 8 or 20 years-
Merlin huffed out a burst of laughter, "What makes you think that I am going to be here for that long?"
Arthur paused, frowning, before reining his features back, something about Merlin not being there anymore bothered him, "Well, then… as long as you are here."
Merlin didn't reply for a minute, looking at Arthur contemplatively…. Why was Arthur so curious about him? Surely, the Prince could pester someone else.
Merlin gritted his teeth and forced out, "Why? Why the sudden curiosity?" his confusion and seeping frustration would have been apparent from his tone as Arthur turned to look at him.
The Prince looked at him steadily with intense eyes for a second before replying with a smile,
"Because we will be spending an unhealthy amount of time in each other's company and it will be good for both of us if we learned to trust each other… yes?"
Merlin's eyes widened a fraction when he recognized those words as his. Arthur had just repeated Merlin's own words back to him- the words he had used to make Arthur believe him against Valiant.
That was when Merlin knew that this little game (or not so little as Merlin dreaded it was going to be), was not an on-the-spot invention… Arthur had probably been thinking about asking Merlin questions and had thus come up with a neat trick to achieve his answers. Neat and seemingly innocent.
And the way to ensure that Merlin would play this game- or as Merlin would call it a very sly move on Arthur's part- was to use his own words against him. Merlin owed Arthur for trusting him against Valiant and Arthur knew it- he wasn't using it against Merlin, no, he was just reminding him.
Merlin couldn't decide whether to applaud Arthur for this or smack him on the head.
Even after realizing this, Merlin breathed out through his nose and before nodding with resignation before putting up a condition of his own, if Arthur got to know things about him then it was only fair he knew some too.
In his previous life in Camelot, he had been too busy otherwise, too scatter-brained and scared for his life to ask bold and personal questions from his Prince- he was sure he would know most of those answers but it was the equality in exchange that he desired.
"I will agree if I get to ask you questions too. Indefinitely." There was no way Arthur would agree to this, no way-
"Fine."
Merlin's eyes widened as he swallowed.
What in the seven heavens-! He was truly shocked as he knew that Arthur was a very personal person who liked to keep to himself- it was the way he had been brought up. A Prince must never let any personal knowledge about himself known to anyone. A Prince must never show weakness, and secrets or even sharing personal knowledge was seen as weakness.
Yet, here he was. Feeling cornered like a prey himself with Arthur as a hunter.
"Although, I am sure, it goes without saying that what we discuss- remains between us." Arthur continued in a self-assured tone, regardless of the fact that Merlin's face must have clearly shown the need to withdraw from this game.
There was something akin to a challenge in Arthur's eyes when he raised his hand towards Merlin in a gesture to shake the forearm.
Merlin didn't want to accept it- he was suddenly feeling unsure about this, especially when he saw a mental image which showed a massive ditch that Merlin had dug for himself.
To bury himself in, of course.
Still, hoping that this would bring them closer, Merlin raised his arm and held onto Arthur's forearm. Shaking it thrice.
For a second the handshake had felt like a solemn vow, like this was something that would change their relationship infinitely- bring them as close as they had been before, and perhaps in some cases, even closer than before. That thought and the physical contact sent a thrill up Merlin's arm and he smiled at his prince while the prince stared intensely at him.
This wasn't just a word between a Prince and his Witchfinder for Merlin, this was a word between two Royals... even if the other royal didn't know about it.
They started moving back to where they had tied Thunder and Hengreon, still drenched in silence, only this time the silence was filled with anticipation.
Merlin knew Arthur was going to ask him questions that could turn out to be intrusive, and though lying wasn't an option... the need for omission, misleading, disguising his life would be hard to put off.
Can't very well start a friendship by revealing that you were a 1500-year-old warlock who time-travelled back here to right his wrongs now, could he? (notwithstanding, how he started his friendship with Gwaine, Merlin had rekindled their bond by telling him exactly how ancient he was- the ruffian had always been strange that way).
"It's funny but you have never mentioned where you hail from."
Merlin is brought out of his thoughts at the question and he spares a glance at the Prince before answering,
"Um, we used to live in a small village bordering Camelot, in Essetir…. But once I got back from," Arthur nodded understanding that he was mentioning his missing years, "Since then we've been living in a settlement near the perilous lands."
There was a pause in Arthur's step which he elaborated by saying,
"You're from Ealdor, aren't you? It's where I apprehended the sorcerer Kanen- he was executed the day you entered Camelot- somehow I had a feeling then that you recognized him."
Merlin smiled on the outside but was once again shocked at how sharp this Arthur was- the process of elimination and coming to such conclusion in only a matter of second was remarkable and diverted by saying,
"We both know Kanen was no sorcerer, Arthur."
The Prince paused and looked at Merlin in silence before neither accepting nor denying the fact, this also explained why Merlin had paused at the execution on his first day… why Arthur had come to the conclusion that Merlin knew Kanen- it was because the Witchfinder was from Ealdor- a village that was always under Kanen's terror.
Arthur frowned at the other piece of information,
"Wait… perilous lands? Isn't the area around quite dangerous… infested with magical creatures and whatnots?"
Merlin shook his head but didn't turn to look at Arthur, "The lands itself are dangerous, yes, but the area around it is now starting to attract people. The reputation of the perilous lands keeps the bandits away, lack of population means that there is plenty of food easily available-even in winters as animals have not been hunted there for ages, the land is pretty fertile and….my mother and best friend seemed to accommodate quite easily."
Arthur nodded to the reasons for settlement in the perilous lands, they made sense. The danger was everywhere, just in different forms... Ealdor was safe from animals but hunger and bandits terrorised that land, whereas Perilous lands, though were dangerous had no tax levied on them while the reputation provided a different kind of security.
"Best...friend?" Arthur asked then.
The question was asked in a tone that was uncomprehending but Merlin smiled at the question anyway, "Best- friends more like, I have four of them… I can tell you about two out four, the other two I'll have to 'later', that ok?" Arthur gave a single nod, too distracted by the look of utter happiness and longing on the Witchfinders face to even question about the other two mysterious friends.
"There is…Will, who I've known since I was born, the amount of trouble we've gotten into together have given my mother multiple heart attacks." Merlin chuckles remembering the multiple pranks they had pulled over the village bullies and poor old man Simmon's.
"Then there is Gwaine." Strong affection flowed through the timbre of Merlin's voice at the mention of his next best friend and the Prince did not fail to notice it.
Arthur's grip on the handle of his sword tightened, he was only now considering that Merlin must have a completely another life apart from his life in Camelot… a life that would require Merlin to leave Camelot someday.
Somehow these past few months had made Merlin such an integral part of his- everyone's- life in Camelot that he couldn't imagine their life any other way- any other reality in which Merlin wasn't in Camelot. A reality where Merlin could leave Camelot without having to look back.
It only hit him now that Merlin might even have a place to 'return' to... this was some reason bothered him.
The past month that Merlin had been detained to bed rest and light duty had been one of the good ones for Arthur- he had gotten to know Merlin better and this game was only a ploy to get Merlin to open up more.
A person can only get to know so much when they are constantly being interrupted by either Morgana or Gwen and when it's not them two, then it's either Gaius or the King.
Merlin, Arthur realized, had sneaked into Camelot so seamlessly that now it felt like he had always been there.
The Prince shook himself and focused back on the conversation, wanting to know more about… this other friend, "Gwaine?" Considering Merlin's tone, this friend sounded closer to Merlin than Will. Hell, even Merlin's dimple was on full show... it wasn't rare but it had been a long time since the witchfinder had smiled so.
"Gwaine is… Gwaine. There is no other way to explain him. The man is so impulsive that he can put you to shame, he can probably drink a tavern empty and pick fights with even a rabbit- so yes he is very confrontational and rude if you can call it that. He loves apples, flirting with both women and men - and he has the best hair in Albion- his words, not mine, although they are not untrue." Merlin smiled remembering how proud Gwaine was of his caramel- brown hair and how many girls had lost their virtue to just a single flick.
But everything aside, Merlin also realized that Gwaine was his one friend who had always, without a fail, defended Merlin. Gwaine had loved him- flaws and all and Merlin loved his friend back,
"He is also loyal to a fault. Stubborn as a mule and has the attention span of a hummingbird but if you are ever in a pickle, Gwaine is your man. "
Arthur stared at Merlin from the corner of his eyes, a bitter feeling went through him although he couldn't point out the reason for it- See, Arthur had never had a friend like Merlin or this… Gwaine, the bitterness was probably nothing but the feeling of loss for something he had never had. Never been allowed to experience.
His father had banished all thoughts of establishing any form of relationship except that of knighthood with anyone.
"How did you become friends?" Arthur asked next.
Merlin aimed a cheeky smile at him and answered,
"A tavern fight. Somehow Gwaine, me and another mate of mine –," one of the two Merlin is not mentioning today, Arthur added in his mind as he listened to Merlin continue, "-we managed to pick a fight with the whole tavern." Merlin chuckled at the memory of Gwaine punching an unsuspecting thug in the face- that was what had started the whole fight actually- and then sobered when he remembered the consequences,
"Gwaine got hurt- stabbed, protecting my other mate, but I patched him up and from there on we were inseparable- or even if we did go on our separate ways, we always ended up together. Destiny works in weird ways, as I've learned."
Looking at Merlin's dimpled cheek, the Prince realized he needed to change the topic and veer it away from friendship- although there was one last question he wanted to ask about Merlin's friends.
"Why them? Why are they your best friends?" Merlin turned towards the Prince to answer this question- caught a flash of longing in Arthur's eyes before it disappeared into curiosity again-and hated himself for not being able to voice his other two best friends. Lancelot was one, but Arthur…
Let's just say, that Arthur was the only one Merlin was willing to wait for another 1000 years- he would go through another millennium just so he could have Arthur in his life. Gwaine, Lancelot and Will were his friends- best friends- but Arthur was his soul mate, his other half.
Merlin stares into the Prince's eyes and spoke,
"They gave me a gift- a gift of acceptance. They loved- love me for who I am and for what I've become. Regardless of what I've done...or probably will do. There were no conditions to our friendship, no limitations to what we would do for each other- I would die for them and they have shown on many occasions that they would do the same."
Arthur's eyes fall to the ground as he continues to listen to Merlin.
"It didn't matter what we went through or how long we remained apart… our friendship was- is a force to be reckoned with."
The Prince couldn't imagine someone loving him for everything he was, he couldn't imagine having such a close relationship even with his Knights… Guinevere came close but even she hated him when he was angry or too rough in bed- sweet lovemaking was their usual but sometimes…Arthur wanted to let loose all that passion he held locked inside, finally let out all the love he had to give, all the anger, ruthlessness, frustration… everything and still be accepted.
But he couldn't because he knew it would not be well-liked.
Guinevere loved his noble parts, his sense of justice and his love- softer sides overall… but she detested his Princely attitude, his fiery passion which threatened to burn himself and everything around him.
She didn't like that he had been with multiple females before her and nowadays she didn't like that he didn't have enough time for her, or that he spent more time with Merlin rather than her- it was obvious he would spend more time with Merlin who was his bodyguard rather than Guinevere- who though people knew was Arthur's paramour was also still a serving girl.
He couldn't put her in danger or his father's ire by spending more than required time with her, but she didn't understand that, couldn't.
Arthur was a Prince, will be King one day and he had been trained since birth to not let anyone close enough to betray him. Friendships, his father had taught him, were dangerous... people will see that he was Prince and want it for themselves. Caution had always prevented him from making friends.
The other person who he thought was supposed to love him was his father… who was more his king than his parent and Morgana… well, she had her days of loving him and then hating him. He had never had someone who accepted him completely, fully. Maybe Gaius?
Love, unconditional love was still something foreign to him, perhaps if his mother had been alive... he could've known but he was not so lucky.
Merlin could see that something was bothering Arthur, so he decided to say something he hadn't been meaning to before, "There is one friend though," Arthur kept looking ahead- at anyone but Merlin- trying not to look too interested,
"We were the closest, thick as thieves. We couldn't have been more different from each other but at the same time, he completed me more than anyone else." Merlin paused,
"He was an utter prat, a complete supercilious pig but no one… no one could compare to him. He got on my nerves, manhandled me almost constantly and insulted me all the time but his love for me was the purest, his heart the most courageous I have ever seen and so so big that it could encompass all of Albion if he chose to."
"He came out as a hard-headed man- not that he wasn't- he definitely was... but he loved so truly, my lord, that the hugeness of his heart would have shocked even Guinevere. He was unselfish in ways that many never are. Nobel."
The warlock laughed and added the last bit almost unconsciously, "Sometimes I find both of you eerily similar."
Arthur- who had been studiously avoiding looking at Merlin whipped his head towards him and stared, but Merlin kept walking with his head looking forward, it was his turn to avoid eye contact now.
"Me?" Arthur's voice was an octave higher, sometimes Merlin forgot how young Arthur was compared to him- well everyone was, but more so Arthur because in the past, Arthur had been three summers elder to Merlin.
Oh, how the tables have turned.
Merlin 'hmm'd' at Arthur question and said,
"Yes, like you, my lord. It seems I have an affinity for prats." Arthur turned to him, this time affronted and shoved Merlin's shoulder. The warlock just laughed, managing to trip himself, dropping the rabbits to the ground and then balancing himself- all in a second and at once.
Arthur just shook his head and laughed under his breath- how!? He still didn't understand how a man like Merlin could trip, wobble and stumble while walking yet still be so graceful when dancing or duelling. How?
He saw as the Witchfinder bent down to pick up the fallen rabbits-only for Arthur to become alert when an arrow nearly missed Merlin and lodged itself deep in the tree behind the crouched man.
Merlin noticed the arrow too and shouted just in time for the Prince to 'get down!' as a flurry of 3 arrows followed the first one- at least 3 archers then.
And dammit but Merlin had predicted something would happen during the hunt! He knew these hunts always- ALWAYS- took a turn for the worst.
These were definitely bandits, Merlin thought as three men in mismatched clothing jumped at them whilst multiple archers kept shooting- Merlin cast a quick glance at Arthur and instinctively caught the bow Arthur threw at him. Merlin nodded in understanding, caught the bow out of the air and started shooting his own arrows- it had been decided somewhere in the middle of the chaos that Arthur would defend them both from the bandits close to them with a sword while Merlin would take the archers down.
It was astounding to see how easily they moved around each other. The seamlessness and the comfort with which they worked together resembled that of a well-oiled machine.
Merlin and Arthur fit together so well that it was almost satisfying to watch them stand and fight together.
Standing side-by-side they dispatched one bandit after the other and soon breathed a sigh of relief when they got rid of the danger. They smiled and nodded at each other only to lose it when they heard a shriek of terror somewhere in the forest.
This still wasn't over.
Both of them ran to check what the commotion was about and Merlin stopped at a distance and notched his arrow while Arthur went forward and spoke to the bandit. Sword ready to defend.
From this distance, Merlin could see only one bandit- who was holding a girl against the tree, knife to her throat, and no one else.
"Let her go and you leave with your life otherwise you die either by an arrow or a sword, the choice is yours." The bandit shifted his eyes from the girl to Arthur and back, Merlin couldn't see the girl properly but he had a sense of dread climbing up his spine.
Merlin adjusted his grip on the bow and focused at the bandit's back- who apparently was wiser than he looked because it seemed like he was retreating from the girl and turning towards Arthur with his arms raised, looking terrified. Merlin would wait until the man left before lowering his-
suddenly, out of nowhere an older man lunged from behind the tree and slit the throat of the bandit who had now been completely facing Arthur.
For a second, Merlin froze realizing who the older man was- he had been feeling a lot of magic in the forest and only now did he realize that the reason he was confused between the magic of the forest and the magic of the creature in front of him was because both of them were just as old and strong.
Of course…. about time some drama entered Camelot eh?
A few meters away, Arthur stepped over the body of the dead bandit and approached the father-daughter duo.
"Are you both alright?" he asked.
The girl turned away from her father's embrace and face Arthur, lowering her hood she replied,
"We are now. Thanks to you," she smiled a pretty smile towards Arthur and Merlin made sure to sidle closer to Arthur, he wouldn't put it past the cunning pair to attack then and there and listened as she continued,
"I am Sophia Tir-Mor and this is my father, Aulfric Tir-Mor."
-oooo-
Merlin looked at Arthur cautiously and saw that the Prince was looking cautiously at the female sidhe. Merlin breathed a sigh of relief and let his eyes wander towards the male sidhe- Aulfric who had a definite hard glint in his eyes when he looked at Arthur.
Merlin cleared his throat and said,
"We should let them be on their way and head back home… your father must be getting worried."
Arthur nodded his head and started turning towards Merlin when Sophia cleared her throat loudly and with a sickly sweet smile said, "We are nobles, sire. Surely, you could help us?"
The comment made Arthur frown, Merlin noticed. He could feel the subtle magic lacing every word the sidhe spoke, it was compulsion. A branch of magic that was not very popular but only because it required a certain amount of power.
Arthur was still frowning though, confusion seeping into his eyes as he continued looking at the female.
"There are no more bandits in the area. You,-" Arthur said nodding towards Aulfric, "-made sure of that. Surely, you can continue from here."
This was good, Arthur was being cautious. Merlin breathed another sigh of relief as Arthur again turned to leave but gritted his teeth as he felt a much stronger compulsion coaxing the Prince,
Arthur didn't move and only stopped when Sophia literally held onto Arthur's sleeve. Aulfric was also sending compulsive waves towards Arthur now.
"Sire, I beg you to not leave us alone in the forest…our home got raided and then just now you saw what happened… we will not survive a day without you, my lord."
Merlin could already feel the witch using her hypnotic-magic on Arthur… her every touch was meant to ensnare, her every word-a trap.
A trap for Arthur which though the Prince seemed to valiantly try to ignore, he couldn't. This much magic was too much for anyone.
Arthur stared where Sophia's hand touched his arm and in a daze ordered Merlin to bring the horses. It was time they returned to Camelot.
Sofia sat on Hengreon while Aulfric sat on Thunder- who twitched more than he ever had. Merlin's horse did not like Aulfric's malevolent magic, but the witchfinder calmed the black horse with a tendril of his magic.
"Sire perhaps could join me too... it is awfully rude of me to steal your horse and cause you discomfort." Merlin heard Sophia aim the sentence at Arthur who just shook his head and smiled,
"No, my lady. I am perfectly fine down here and as it is... Camelot is not much too far."
Merlin could also feel eyes on him constantly but whether it was Aulfric or Sophia, he didn't know.
Once they reached Camelot, their guests were introduced to the King- who like before asked the noble Tir-Mor's to stay in Camelot for a while. The only people who looked that they didn't like this particular idea were Merlin, Gaius, Morgana and to some extent, even Arthur who seemed to be trying not to frown.
The Warlock was also aware that it was around this time that Morgana had started gaining her powers as a seer.
Gaius kept shooting cautious but confident looks at Merlin, he knew that Merlin knew the threat that the Prince was under and will take care of it.
Merlin will try to gauge Arthur's views first… and after that, he would use a more direct approach. He started following the Prince to his chambers while Morris tailed them too- but were interrupted by a sweet voice.
"My lord!" All three of them stopped while Arthur turned towards the sweet voice, "My lord, if I could have a minute of your time." Sophia looked at Merlin and continued, "in seclusion."
Arthur glanced Merlin and nodded for Merlin to give them privacy.
Merlin saw as Sophia spoke to Arthur, who remained stoic, he saw as Sophia touched him once, twice and then thrice- all the while staring deeply in the Prince's eyes. By the end of their conversation, Arthur was smiling widely and filled with excitement while Merlin frowned at the little harpy. He could smell compulsion on Arthur so strong that it would have shocked him if Arthur's attitude hadn't changed.
Unfortunately, Merlin couldn't do much, yet. He will talk to Arthur first and if that didn't work, he will use a more useful approach.
Once they reached the Prince's chambers, Arthur spoke to Morris,
"I want you to put Lady Sophia in the chambers next door." Morris bowed and started going out when Merlin stopped him, "No, Morris. Put her in the chambers at the opposite end of the hall." Arthur turned to glare at him while Morris bowed and left- his directions didn't supersede the Prince's but he did have a friendship with Morris which furthered his cause.
"What do you think you are doing, Merlin?" Arthur asked in a low but angry voice and he raised his arms in surrender, "Arthur, the chambers at the end of the hall are more comfortable and warm… she'll be more at peace there- she has been through a lot and that alone guarantees the best chambers."
All anger seemed to seep out of the Prince who nodded before swinging his sharp eyes to Merlin.
"You… like her too, don't you?" Merlin drew his head back and spluttered in disbelief,
"No! Wh-what would make you think that? And what do you mean 'like her too', do you like her?!"
The Prince smirked,
"Don't answer a question with another question Merlin, it's rude... and what I mean is- You rarely care for anyone's comfort but mine... and suddenly you are looking after her comfort too," Arthur came closer and continued, "Trying to make sure that she stays as far away from me as possible, huh?"
Merlin huffed in disbelief. He hardly even found her pretty... but he knew he had to tell Arthur the truth now before he came under the spell's influence, so he ignored Arthur's accusations and said,
"Don't you think it strange that she knew that you were a Prince without you or me even mentioning it? She called you 'Sire' and 'My Lord' when you wore no identifying accessories."
Arthur huffed and said, "That's because Princes have an air of regality around them, Merlin. You won't understand- nobles are trained to recognize royalty. Also, it could've been you who must've mentioned it."
Merlin rolled his eyes again and followed Arthur as he moved across the room, stripping his shirt,
"Alright, don't you think it strange that her father slit the throat of the bandit even when he was starting to back down?"
Arthur pulled a newer shirt over his head and came closer to Merlin, who started on the laces while the Prince looked at him with a straight face,
"The bandits threatened his daughter, Merlin… father would probably do the same for Morgana." Merlin winced internally and tried to ignore how true that statement was, then tried for the last time,
"Arthur… there is something strange about them- didn't you see the ethereal staffs that both of them carry? If anything could scream magic- those staffs would."
Arthur paused on his way to the screen and turned to look at Merlin again, this time a sympathetic look on his face,
"Merlin… those are just family heirlooms, not magical. Not everything that looks pretty is magical, you know." Then Arthur smirked and continued,
"If that were so, then Sophia would be magical too. Because, she is pretty- don't deny it, you think so too."
Arthur couldn't have known how true that statement was, and it only lead to irritate Merlin more and Arthur saw it.
The Prince took a deep breath and continued,
"Look, I promise to be careful but I do think she is pretty….and I want to spend some time with her- and that is why I've decided to show her around Camelot." Arthur smiled and walked past Merlin and towards the door.
Merlin gritted his teeth and said, "And what about Guinevere? Are you so callous so as to hurt her for a-,"
"Guinevere and I have a sort of... agreement. She understands that though we both like each other a lot… I will have to inevitably marry a noble. And maybe…. Sophia is that noble. Or maybe not, who knows?"
Arthur came close to Merlin and continued, "She has asked me to take her around Camelot-,"
"Arthur!-," Merlin tried to interrupt but Arthur continued without letting him speak.
"And I will take her but I also promise to be careful. For your sake… since you won't be there." The Prince finished pointedly.
"What do you mean?...No. Absolutely not." Merlin finally understood what Arthur meant, the Prince wanted to go on a tour with a creature who would kill him without a single problem. Alone.
Nope. Not happening.
-oooo-
The Prince went on the bloody tour with Sophia. Without Merlin.
On being asked by the King where the Prince was, Merlin didn't lie. Call him a tattletale but he had to stop this before it got out of hand, if Arthur won't listen to him then he would surely listen to his father, the King.
But Merlin was met with disappointment when the king just laughed and nodded while saying,
"Well, can't say it's not good to see that Arthur is not too attached with that maid of his, she is a pretty thing but still a peasant. Maybe a bit of noble blood will encourage Arthur to...familiarise with people of his own status." Uther then patted Merlin on the back, making the warlock stiffen with the sudden physical contact and asked after Merlin's health after the snake incident, to which Merlin replied satisfactorily and left the council chambers as soon as possible.
Notes:
The second part of this chapter is coming soon!
