Thomas was awoken to a sharp prod in his side. The teenager popped open one eye and stared. A Camelot knight met his indigent look.
"You can't sleep here." The man sniffed. "It's a stable for the king's horses."
Thomas glared. The young man had been unable to find someone willing to allow him to stay in their home the night before… Now, here he was, sleeping in a barn with the horses.
"Sorry." He muttered, standing up and dusting hay bits from his clothes. "I wasn't aware of that."
The knight narrowed his eyes.
"Who are you?" He asked, curiously.
"Thomas Oak, I'm…" Thomas trailed off. He couldn't believe this. He was a Sorcerer! He had power that these… men could never even dream of! And here he was, sleeping in a barn. "I'm looking for work. My village was raided and my family killed."
Not exactly a lie, Thomas thought bitterly, hatred swelling up inside him as he stared at the knight. My mother was killed… by the knights of Camelot.
"Work?" The knight hummed. "Why don't you ask Gaius? He's been looking for a new assistant since Merlin… well, Merlin's got his own life going on these days."
Merlin… Thomas did his best to keep the contempt from his face. That traitor! Emrys was supposed to be our savior, instead, he became one of them!
"What exactly does this Gaius do?" Thomas murmured.
"He's the castle physician." The knight explained. "And he's getting old, he could probably use a hand… and I'm sure he'd be willing to offer you a place to stay."
Anything's better than spending another night here, Thomas thought bitterly, scrunching his nose against the scent of horse waste and straw.
"I'll go see this Gaius then." Thomas decided. "Thank you for your kindness, sir."
Thomas grabbed his mare and led her from the barn, one thought in his mind.
Castle Physician? Good, the closer I can get to Arthur, the better.
"Merlin, shut up!" Arthur growled, gesturing wildly as the deer pelted away. "Must you do that?"
"Do what, My Lord?" Merlin asked innocently.
"You scared that deer off on purpose." Arthur grumbled, lowering his crossbow.
"Did I?" Merlin titled his head. "Are you sure?"
If he was anyone else… Arthur narrowed his eyes. I would have had him thrown in a boiling pot years ago.
The midday sun shone above the two men as they rode on. Arthur had decided to have himself a nice hunt before having to deal with Odin and his troops at supper tonight. Of course… Merlin never was much for hunting.
"If you clap your hands when I go to shoot again," Arthur threatened his friend. "I may accidentally put an arrow through you instead."
Merlin shook his head, smiling good-naturedly at the threat.
"Of course, Arthur." He chuckled.
Arthur knew he was laughing because the threat was such a foolish thing to say. Merlin knew he would never harm him, or allow any harm to come to him. Just as Merlin would never allow any harm to come to him. They were two sides of the same coin, and they had been through so much together…
Merlin was like his brother though, and some friendly teasing never hurt the warlock before.
"I don't see anything funny." Arthur murmured. The young king pulled his horse to a stop as the brush up ahead began to rustle. "Hold."
Merlin pulled his mount up, eyes narrowed at the bush. The two men contemplated silently, waiting.
"Show yourself." Arthur commanded.
The rustling stopped, and from the bushes, a sheepish look on his face, came Odin's serving boy.
Arthur, who had been readying his crossbow, allowed the weapon to fall to his side.
"What are you doing out here?" He barked. "Nothing's wrong back in Camelot, is it?"
"No!" Callum quickly assured him. "No… I just… well…"
"Have you been following us?" Merlin growled. Arthur glanced at his friend in surprise, it wasn't like Merlin to be so hostile, especially not to one so young.
"Yes, sir." The boy admitted, lowering his head in shame. "I'm sorry… I just wanted to…" he trailed off, sketching his foot through the dirt. "I'm sorry-."
"Thought I told you to stop apologizing." Arthur tried to snap the order, but it came out soft and reassuring. He couldn't help it. This boy… something about him just screamed out the need for love, the desire for someone to care about him.
"I'm sor… er, it won't happen again." Callum promised, his young voice rippling with honesty. "King Arthur… I didn't want to follow you, I just… I wanted to say thank you, for yesterday."
"What happened yesterday?" Merlin yelped. He glanced sideways at his friend. "What did you do, Arthur?"
"None of your concern." Arthur sniffed. His eyes strayed back to the little boy. "It was my honor… you would have made a fine knight."
"I…I would?" Callum's eyes glowed with excitement. "You really think so?"
Arthur stared at the boy. If the kid only had a bit more confidence… he would have reminded Arthur of himself at that age. He remembered looking at his father with the same hope, the same longing for approval… approval that, even in death, Uther had been unable to give him.
So what if he's just a servant, Arthur thought. Give him what he wants, give him something to hold on to.
"One of the best." Arthur purred. "Perhaps even as good as… Lancelot."
"Thought you were going to say you for a minute," Merlin muttered ruefully. "Then I remembered you're too arrogant for that."
"I don't think he's arrogant." Callum snapped. "He's the greatest king I've ever met!"
"Have you met anyone other than Odin and Arthur?" Merlin shot back, his tone dripping with suspension and unfriendliness.
"Well….not really, but-."
"Enough!" Arthur ordered, cuffing Merlin over the head. "Enough Merlin… he's just a boy."
"So was Mordred!" Merlin breathed.
Oh, Arthur swallowed. That's his problem.
Merlin shivered as he watched Arthur climb down from his horse and go over to the boy. He watched as his king knelt down and handed the kid his sword.
"Why don't I give you a few more pointers?" Arthur was suggesting. "We've got the time."
Arthur… don't do this… not again. Merlin's heart ached. You trusted Mordred and in the end… he became exactly what fate said he would. This boy… I can sense the evil coming from him. I can't let history repeat itself… or this time… I really might lose him.
Merlin had never seen a vision or heard of this big before… but his magic was screaming and lurching about inside him at the sight of him; just like it had with Mordred.
I won't let it happen again… Merlin closed his eyes. This time, if it comes down to Arthur or that kid… I won't hesitate.
