"So, as you can see, I had no alternative but to have him executed!"
Arthur was nodding sagely along as Odin spoke to him. He really had no interest whatsoever in what this man had to say… but it was his duty to act as though he did. In reality, his eyes were wandering around the banquet, looking for a young boy with golden hair…
"I see your Queen is not currently here," Odin hummed. "Is there a reason for that?"
Arthur stopped searching the room and whisked his eyes over to Odin.
"She is away." He said simply, his voice holding a powerful edge to it. "Visiting some friends."
Arthur wasn't dumb. He knew Odin would still jump on the chance to make him suffer… he had no intention of letting the other king know exactly where his wife was. As Odin narrowed his eyes and gave a curt nod, Merlin slipped from the crowd and took a seat beside Arthur, where Gwen normally sat. Odin scowled, glancing at Arthur, as though he expected him to scold his friend for sitting at his side.
He didn't.
"Merlin, what has happened to you?" Arthur snorted as he noticed the bread crumbs in his friend's hair and batter dripping down his face.
"Ah." Merlin shifted in his seat, an uncomfortable smile on his face. "Let's just say… someone wasn't too fond to have me here."
Arthur's smile faded. He knew what Merlin meant. One of Odin's men, or perhaps even his own, had attacked him for being a sorcerer.
"Uh, hu." Arthur murmured nonchalantly, taking a bite of his food as though the matter didn't concern him in the slightest. "Would you perhaps… know who this person was?"
"No, Sire… I don't." Merlin shrugged, a genuine smile overtaking his fake one. "Good food." He commented, taking his fork and jabbing into a slice of chicken on his plate. Arthur had had a servant set out food before the warlock. "Much better than anything I've had in a long time!"
Arthur still wanted to know who had attacked his friend…. But he could tell Merlin wasn't going to say any more on the matter.
So, he let it drop.
"That new apprentice of Gaius's," Merlin suddenly murmured, eyes thoughtful. "He's a nice kid."
Odin had taken to speaking to one of his knights, so Arthur continued his conversation with Merlin.
"What makes you say that?"
"Oh… you see, I was coming to the feast, and these men grabbed me and-before you ask, no I didn't recognize them- they took me away from the main halls and started throwing food on me and what not… they would have started really doing some damage if that boy hadn't shown up."
"Aw, real powerful, ain't he!" The man holding Merlin up against the wall laughed, pouring something sticky down the back of his shirt. "You're so powerful! Make us stop!"
I could, Merlin thought, struggling to free himself. I could kill all of you without even thinking twice about it… but I won't do that to Arthur. He's already having a tough enough time convincing people I'm not a danger… I won't make him look a fool.
With a grunt, Merlin kicked out with his foot. He hit the man hard in the gut and he lost his hold on his victim. Merlin twisted free and turned to run. Only, one of the man's companions snagged him and held him in the darkness of the secluded hall. The man who had been holding him came stomping over. The man had orange hair and an orange beard that glowed like fire in the dim light…
But that was nothing compared to the fire in his gray eyes.
"How dare you hurt a knight, you ungrateful little demon!" The knight reared back his fist. "I'm going to teach you a lesson."
"What lesson would that be?" A voice interrupted, thick with amusement. "That he oughta stay far away from pompous scumbags like you?"
The man glanced behind his friend and Merlin struggled to crane his neck around to see who had spoken… the voice was familiar.
"How dare you!" The man roared. "Stay out of this, it's none of your concern, boy!"
"Oh, but I think it is." The voice dropped low. "Whenever someone picks on anyone because of who they were born as, that's my business. Sides, I doubt Arthur Pendragon would appreciate you harassing his… sorcerer. Let him go."
"Make me." The man grinned, revealing yellowing teeth.
There was a long silence. And then-.
"Have it your way, knight."
Merlin threw out his hands to catch himself as the man who had been holding him was sent flying into the orange haired man. As the two struggled to get free of each other, Merlin rolled over to get a look at his savior. There, standing as calmly as could be, was Thomas Wood.
"Thank you-." Merlin started, staggering to his feet. Thomas's eyes were conflicted as he looked at him. With a shrug, he turned back to the knights. The two men had gotten back up now and were facing the teenager, drawing their swords.
"Trent! Lawrence!" The third man of the group growled. "Enough! The boy speaks sense… King Arthur would have our heads if we touched his precious servant."
"Aw, look, these hellspawn do have some brains in um." Thomas sneered. "Now, beat it, why don't you?"
"You want to see Hellspawn?" The orange haired man, Trent, spat. "Take a look beside you, boy!"
"Get out of here!" Thomas roared, taking a step towards the man. "I've had enough of you no-mag- er… I've had enough, go!"
"And they went," Merlin finished, shoveling his last bite of food into his mouth. "Thought I was through until he showed up… he barely said a word the whole time either, didn't even acknowledge me when I tried to thank him.
"Brave boy." Arthur agreed. He furrowed his brow thoughtfully. "Wonder if he'd been interested in trying out as a knight?"
Merlin shook his head.
"I doubt that." He said. "You should have seen the way he looked at those knights…"
Arthur raised an eyebrow.
"Merlin," he snipped. "Just because he wasn't exactly happy to see a couple of bullies, doesn't mean he hates all knights."
"No…" Merlin agreed. "But I just… I don't know, Arthur. I just have a feeling it was about more than them just picking on me."
As Arthur nodded slowly. He heard Odin yell out from beside him. Spinning around, Arthur stared at the king. A goblet had tipped over on the edge of the table, and now wine was dripping off the wood and onto the king's lap. With a snarl of rage, Odin stood up.
"How dare you!" He screeched, spinning to address the servant who had given him the drink. "You clumsy fool!"
Arthur's heart sank as he recognized the trembling form before the king
Callum.
