Lancelot let out a hearty laugh as Hunith spilled all the mishaps that happened during Merlin's childhood as the two of them learned how to manage his magic. Overturned cups, sudden levitation, silence spells, almost toppling a tree onto some old man in the village, it was hilarious to look back on despite the panic it must have caused way back when. The amusement factor only increased when he took a look at the embarrassed warlock at his side, his face quickly turning the shade of his neckerchief as he tried to bury himself in its folds.
Due to the ban, Merlin had never had to worry about these stories getting out to anybody except Gaius. He had forgotten that his mother probably wouldn't hesitate to share once she knew someone trustworthy knew his secret. Which was what led to this little fiasco when Lancelot decided to stop by on one of Merlin's vacations.
Not that Merlin didn't appreciate it! No, quite the opposite. It was rare to be able to talk about magic and the silly things that could be done with it with anyone besides Gaius and Hunith without worry. But, his appreciation stopped at embarrassing childhood stories.
He finally excused himself to go get firewood they didn't need just to escape this torture, ignoring the small laughs that followed him as he left.
Lancelot chuckled as he watched Merlin's retreating form and from the corner of his eye, he could see Hunith doing the same. The laughs quieted after a short while and they were both just left staring at the door.
"Thank you." Lancelot nodded with a soft smile as Hunith repeated the phrase for the ninth time since he had arrived a few hours ago. "He needs someone who fully knows him. For a while, I was worried. After Will… Well, I was scared that he would never be this open to anyone but Bartholomew."
Lancelot started at the name. Merlin had told him of Will and what had happened all those years ago but Bartholomew was a new name. Never once had Merlin mentioned him.
"He hasn't told you about Bartholomew, has he?" Hunith smiled softly, letting out a breathy laugh. "I would expect so; that boy guards Bartholomew with everything he has. Bartholomew is Merlin's closest confident here in Ealdor; it's been that way since he was only a child. I'm pretty sure he knows much more about what Merlin did with his magic than I do just because that child can't keep more than one secret at a time."
The laugh they shared was tinged with a sad acceptance. Both knew what his one secret had to be.
"What's Bartholomew like?" Lancelot couldn't help the question. Bartholomew seemed like such an important person in Merlin's life and he was curious as to why Merlin would never have mentioned him even in passing.
"Tall," Hunith began, eyes sparkling with a mischievous light that he had often seen in Merlin's. "Steadfast, a force of nature really, but he's a good listener and most times, that's all he really needs to be."
The knight sat in silence for a few moments just taking it all in, trying to get a mental image of this Bartholomew. No picture seemed particularly right.
Seeing his puzzled face, Hunith nodded towards the door. "Oh just go out and ask if you can meet him. I'm sure Merlin would actually like to introduce the two of you. I'll have dinner ready when you get back." With that she stood and turned away, giving him no room to say anything more.
That was another similarity between the two. Lancelot couldn't count the number of times Merlin gave him no room to argue or say anything by turning away to go about his work.
With that small thought in mind, he sought off for the warlock. The search lasted all of five minutes as Merlin came trotting back with an armful of firewood.
"Has she finally stopped?"
Lancelot laughed and clapped his friend on the shoulder at the question. "Don't worry. I think the worst of its over Merlin."
The servant let out a relieved sigh as he dropped the wood into a pile by the door. "Oh thank goodness. I thought it would never end!" he groaned. "I didn't even know I did half the things she talked about!"
Merlin ranted for a few moments, trying to regain what little pride he had left after having his childish mistakes laid out, before Lancelot finally popped the question. "Who's Bartholomew?"
The question stilled Merlin and he averted his eyes. "She told you about him too?" This question was quieter though there was no hurt in his voice. Lancelot nodded and Merlin sighed, tugging a bit on his neckerchief.
"I'll introduce you two then. I think he'll like to meet you," Merlin decided after a little mental debate.
Lancelot wasn't so sure what he was expecting Bartholomew to be like but he certainly wasn't expecting him to not even be a person. Suddenly, Hunith's description made complete sense.
Merlin stood by the large oak apprehensively, rocking on his heels, waiting for Lancelot to say something.
Lancelot only stepped forward and placed a hand on the trunk. The atmosphere near the tree was safe and comforting. He could feel the undercurrent of magic rippling below the bark, playful and mischievous yet ancient and wise. It felt like Merlin and everything he had brought to the walls of Camelot.
Smiling, he looked to the leaves overhead.
"It's a pleasure to meet you Bartholomew. Thank you for all that you've done for Merlin."