Spring arrives in the country in all its glory. Flowers are blooming everywhere and nature is coming back to life. Arthur has gone hunting and Merlin has to go with him. Mary is looking for herbs, quite deep in the forest, when the two meet her. Arthur says, "Come Mary, we want to have a drink in the nearby village. Take a break and join us."
"Are you hurt, sire?"
"No, we shot three wonderful pheasants. That is, I shot them. What Merlin does, I do not know." Merlin rolls his eyes.
Mary says, "It's kind of you to ask, but I'll be on my way back, it's still a distance back to Camelot after all." Arthur nods to her and the two men ride on.
Arthur and Merlin come to a small tavern. Arthur ties up his horse and says, "No better place than a tavern to measure the mood of your people."
"This is one of those times when you ignore me when I say this isn't a good idea, isn't it?"
"You're learning, Merlin. Slowly, to be sure, but you're learning. Remember, you're not my servant in there. I'm a simple peasant, like everyone else."
Merlin mutters: „Simple part ist right."
Arthur turns and asks: „What?"
„I said, the sun is realy bright."
Arthur looks to the sky and says, „Yes, it is!"
They enter the tavern, which is well attended. They find a free table and sit down. While they wait for their drink, the door to the tavern opens and it becomes abruptly quiet in the room. A rude-looking, tall man enters. He has scars on his face and glares evilly. He walks directly to the waitress, who is standing behind the counter, and he says grumpily, "Hello! Business seems to be good!"
She replies quietly, "One of the good days."
"Then I'm sure you'll give me my share." Threateningly, he builds himself up in front of her! She puts some coins down for him. He looks at her briefly and asks, "And the rest?"
"That's all we have."
The man pulls out a knife in a flash and grabs the waitress by the blouse, "I won't ask again!"
Arthur stands up and says, "Keep your filthy hands off her!"
The man turns to Arthur. Merlin watches the whole thing from the table. The bully lunges with a chain in his hand, but Arthur deftly dodges and knocks the man against a table, causing him to fall to the floor. Enraged, he gets back up, "You'll pay for that!"
Merlin says quietly, smiling to himself, "I'd like to see that."
The man whistles through his mouth and 20 more unpleasant looking men rush into the tavern. Startled, Merlin now stands up as well.
Arthur says, "You just had to open your big mouth!"
A handsome young man rises from his bench and approaches Arthur and Merlin, "You two got yourselves into some trouble, huh?"
Arthur says, "You should leave while you still can."
"I guess you're right."
But instead of leaving, he punches the mob leader right in the face with his fist.
A fight breaks out, with the whole tavern joining in. Merlin helps where he can, with magic, without the mob noticing. During the fight, the young man approaches Merlin and asks, "What do they call you?"
"Merlin!"
"I'm Gwaine! Pleased to meet you!" and already the two have to fight off attackers again.
The big brute pulls out his knife and goes straight for Arthur, who is lying on the ground. Gwaine sees it and rams his head into the giant's stomach. Both fall to the ground and stay down. Gwaine tries to get up. But he can't stand on his leg, because the knife is stuck in it. He stumbles, hits his head on a bench and remains unconscious. Merlin quickly goes to him and looks at the wound. The knife seems to have hit a blood vessel, because it is bleeding heavily. Merlin tries to control the bleeding with a cloth.
The bully who's Name is Dagr is tied to the pillory and the people throw rotten fruit at him. Arthur is already back on his horse and says, "If this man ever bothers you again, send word to Camelot. Within a day, soldiers will be here."
"How can you promise such a thing?" asks the waitress.
"Because I am the king's son. Prince Arthur!" The people look after him open-mouthed.
Arthur rides off, followed by Merlin. Gwaine is in front of the prince, lying across the horse.
As it begins to darken, they meet Mary.
Arthur stops, "Mary, come on, we'll take you with us, the last few yards."
Mary points to the unconscious man, "Who is that? What happened? Did you hit a human instead of an animal?" Merlin grins.
Arthur replies, "That's a man who saved my life. But Gaius needs to dress his wound. Come, get on Merlin's horse."
"No, that's all right. I can walk the rest of the way."
"Mary, it's dark and I want you safe. I'm not leaving a girl alone in the woods. Come, Merlin, help her onto your horse."
Merlin holds out a hand to her. Mary grasps it and sits down in the saddle in front of him.
Merlin reaches around her and takes the reins. His heart beats up to his throat. Mary also swallows empty and reaches her hands into the horse's mane. She can feel Merlin's warmth, sitting so close to her. Silently, they ride back to Camelot.
There, Gwaine is immediately taken to Gaius's chambers and laid on Merlin's bed. Mary removes the bloody bandage and Gaius looks at the wound. It is deep.
Mary says, "I'll get you fresh water, towels, needle, thread, and honey." Gaius nods to her. Arthur looks surprised.
Gaius says, "Honey will help fight the infection."
Arthur nods, "Will he be okay?"
"If he's strong enough."
"He is. The man saved my life, Gaius. I want him to have the best care."
Gaius sews up the wound and Mary helps bring down the man's fever during the night. Merlin sleeps in a chair. When Mary has just cooled the man's forehead again, she takes an extra blanket and puts it over Merlin. She sits down next to him on the floor and eventually nods off as well.
The next morning, Merlin is awakened by rays of sunlight on his face. He notices Mary's head resting on his knees. Very gently, he strokes a strand of hair from her face. He hears a clearing of the throat and notices that Gwaine has woken up.
"What am I doing here?"
Mary wakes from the voice and raises her head. She says, "You've been wounded. You're in Camelot. The prince wanted us to take care of you."
She looks at the man, who is now sitting in bed. He has brown hair and nice brown eyes. His body is well built and he has a friendly smile on his lips, but it disappears now, "The prince?"
Merlin nods, "Prince Arthur. You saved his life."
"If I had known that, I probably would have let it go."
Mary stands up, "I'll go get you some breakfast."
Merlin looks at Gwaine questioningly, "Why wouldn't you have?"
"Arthur is a nobleman."
"Yes, but he's a good man."
"If you say so." Gwaine laughs.
Merlin says, "You're a hero, and the king wants to thank you personally."
Gwaine chokes on the drink he is about to take from a cup on the nightstand, "No, please! I've met a few kings, they're all the same."
"I'm sure he'd like to reward you."
"Not interested. Besides, I have everything I need."
"Why did you help us?"
"Your chances looked between slim and none. I, er...I guess I just kind of like the look of those odds."
Mary comes in with a plate and sets it down for Gwaine and leaves. Gwaine looks after her, "A beautiful girl. But she's so sad. Is she your girlfriend?"
Merlin smiles sheepishly, "No. We're good friends."
"Yes, I could see that this morning, how good friends you are!" says Gwaine with a wink.
Later that day, Merlin is cleaning up in Arthur's room and notices noises coming from the yard. He opens the room and sees a rider arriving. He asks, "Who is that?"
Arthur comes to the window and says, "Ah, Sir Derian. He is here for the mêlée."
"Ah yes, the tournament where the knights ride around hitting each other on the heads with blunt weapons for no reason." Says Merlin, amused.
"That's not quite it."
"Really? All I see is people getting beat up until there's only one left standing, at which point they win."
"The mêlée is the ultimate test of strength and courage."
"Are we really talking about the same thing?"
"I don't expect you to understand. You're not a knight!"
"If that means I don't get hit on the head, I'm glad."
"I'm afraid it doesn't mean that!" Arthur throws a cup at Merlin, hitting him in the back of the head.
"Ouch!"
"I need my armor clean by noon."
Merlin holds his head and leaves.
The next day, Mary strolls through the market with Gwen. She needs a few more things. The girls talk excitedly. Suddenly, Gwaine walks past the two. He plucks a flower from a flower girl's basket and approaches Mary with it. "I think this is yours!"
Mary looks at him with a smile. "I don't think so. It's not my color."
"Let's see!" Gwaine puts the flower in her hair. Gwen smiles at her friend with raised brows.
Mary says, "I bet you hand out lots of these."
"No, just to you! I'm Gwaine. I didn't have time to introduce myself this morning."
Mary takes his hand briefly and wants to go on. Gwaine doesn't let go of her and says, "You didn't tell me your name. You look like a princess to me, so it must be something like Selina or Esmeralda. That must be it! Princess Esmeralda!" He bows to her.
Mary says awkwardly: "Stop that! People are already staring."
"Not until you tell me your name."
„Mary."
"See, that wasn't so hard. Let me carry your bag. A princess should not do this herself."
"Unfortunately, I'm not a princess."
"You are to me."
Mary laughs. Gwaine looks at her seriously, "This isn't working, is it?"
"Not really! But I'll give you credit for trying and realizing when to stop."
Gwaine nods, "Well, it must be that Merlin who has already captured your heart. I'm not giving up so easily yet."
Mary waves him goodbye, "Well, good luck!"
Gwen looks at Mary, "Merlin captured your heart?"
"Oh come on, that was just silly talk because I fell asleep in Merlin's room with my head on Merlin's knees."
Gwen looks surprised, "Mary! In his room? On his knees?!"
Mary rolls her eyes, "I was sitting on the floor, Merlin in the chair. In bed was Gwaine, whom I had cared for all night. Oh stop it, I don't have to explain anything to you. Let's continue shopping!" laughing, they stroll on.
Two knights arrive at Camelot. Arthur greets them as "Sir Oswald" and "Sir Ethan." "This is my servant, Merlin! He loves hard work, so call him if you need anything."
"Believe me, I will!" says Sir Oswald.
From then on, Merlin is sent around and harassed wherever possible by the two knights. Nothing he can do is right for them and they treat him like dirt.
Mary has the soup ready when Merlin arrives for lunch. He is spooning up the soup in a rush. Mary watches him with amusement and Gaius says, "It's hard to tell if you're inhaling or eating this soup!"
"I haven't eaten anything yet today. Sir Oswald has been bossing me around."
"What's he like?"
"Terrible! He treats me like dirt!"
Gaius looks surprised, "Doesn't sound like the young man I know! I think he's always been a nice, considerate man."
"Then he must have changed!"
"Remember, not all masters are as good to their servants as Arthur."
Merlin, surprised, spits the soup all over the table and in Gaius' face. He quickly slaps his hand over his mouth and says, "I'm sorry, Gaius!"
Gwen comes in and says, "Merlin, Mary, can you come with me?"
Gaius remains alone at the table, wiping his face.
Gwen leads them both into the tavern, where they find a drunken Gwaine. The innkeeper is displeased because Gwaine cannot pay for what he has consumed. Merlin gets the list in his hand. Staring at it in disbelief, he says, "You drank all that?"
"With the help of my new friends."
Men at the tables toast Gwaine. Mary shakes her head. The innkeeper says, "He says he has no money. So I guess you'll have to pay!"
Merlin looks around in dismay, "I can't afford it."
"Then find someone who can!"
Mary goes to Gwaine and takes him by the arm, "Come on, get up. We'll help you back."
"Oh, there's my princess. The most beautiful woman in Camelot!"
Gwen has to laugh. Merlin looks askingly at Mary. "Oh, don't listen to him...he's drunk! Come help me get him back to Gaius. Then we'll figure out what to do about the bill."
It takes Mary and Merlin some time to get Gwaine back into the room and onto the bed. Gwaine looks at Merlin and Mary, "You're the best friend I've ever had, Merlin. And you, Mary, are beautiful! I'll be waiting for you."
Merlin lets go of Gwaine and says, "You seem to have a lot of friends."
Gwaine laughs, "I want to see Arthur when he sees the bill!"
Mary helps Gwaine take off his shoes. As she stands back up, he grabs her and kisses her unprepared on the cheek. Mary gently disengages from his stormy embrace and leaves the room. Merlin has been watching everything and realizes he doesn't like it.
He sits down with Gwaine and asks, "What is it with you and nobles?"
"Nothing. My father was a knight in Carleon's army. He died in battle, leaving my mother poor. She asked the king for help, but he sent her away."
Mary comes back in quietly and stops by the door. Merlin asks, "You didn't know him?"
"Only through stories I've been told."
"I know how it is. I only met my father briefly before he died." says Merlin sadly.
Gwaine sits up, "Why?"
"He had been banished."
"What did he do?"
"Nothing...He served the king."
"...Who turned against him!" Gwaine nods knowingly, "I'm not surprised."
"Arthur is not like that."
"Perhaps! But none of them are worth dying for!" Gwaine laughs.
He falls back on the bed and quickly falls asleep. Merlin sits beside the bed for a while longer. When he turns around, he sees that Mary is still standing in the doorway, watching him. She smiles her sad smile and leaves. Merlin sighs and makes himself comfortable in the chair for the night.
Arthur has Gwaine work off his debt the next day. Merlin has to get in on it, too. And so the two of them spend half the day cleaning the boots of Camelot's entire army!
In the afternoon, the prince trains for the tournament. He is challenged by Sir Oswald, who loses. When he leaves the training field with Sir Ethan, he says: "Don't worry. In the mêlée, there are two of us. And with the Stulorne blade, I'll fillet the little brat."
Merlin who walks behind the two men can hear everything.
Later, when he brings the armor of the two, to their room, no one is there. There is food everywhere and Merlin immediately starts to clean up. Mary passes the room by chance and sees him in it. She goes to him and wordlessly helps put all the plates together. "They sure are messy!"
"Well, they leave everything for the servant. After all, that's what I'm here for!"
Mary notices a red velvet cloth on the table with something wrapped in it. Hesitantly, she lifts up a corner of the cloth and sees two blunt swords wrapped in it.
Merlin comes over and lifts one of the swords. "They're heavy."
"They're blunt!"
Merlin looks at Mary and laughs, "Yeah, they go at each other with blunt swords in the tournament, I don't get it!"
Mary also smiles. Merlin grasps the blade and then, in pain, pulls his hand back again. Mary sees that he has a deep cut in his hand. At that moment, the two knights enter and Oswald asks, "What are you doing here?"
Merlin and Mary flinch. Merlin drops the sword and holds his bleeding hand against his shirt. "We were just cleaning up," he says.
"Leave the things that don't concern you!"
Merlin and Mary take the plates and quickly leave the room.
In Gaius' chamber, Mary, looks at Merlin's wound. "How can this be? The swords were blunt, weren't they! I saw it clearly."
"I don't know."
Gwaine joins in and says, "You were lucky. I know those blades. They were forged with magic."
Mary asks, "What do they want with a sword like that?"
"I think they want to kill Arthur." replies Merlin.
"In front of the whole court?"
"The perfect cover. If they succeed, no one will suspect intent." says Gwaine. Merlin pulls his hand out of Mary's, "I have to warn Arthur!"
"Wait! I haven't finished bandaging yet."
Mary takes Merlin's hand in hers again: "Oswald is a knight from a noble family. You can't charge him without evidence."
"Then we need that blade. I will do it. I can get into her room without arousing suspicion!"
Mary quietly dresses the bleeding wound. When she finishes, she doesn't immediately let go of Merlin's hand. She looks him in the eye and says, "You have to be careful, Merlin! Those are two nasty comrades!"
Merlin smiles at her and nods. Gwaine has been watching everything, and notices how close the two are.
When it is dark, Merlin sneaks into Sir Oswald and Sir Ethan's room. Both are fast asleep. As Merlin searches for the swords, he notices a crystal around Sir Oswald's neck. He can literally feel the power emanating from it. Quietly, he goes to the bed and takes a closer look at the necklace. When he looks into the crystal, he sees the face of Dagr from the tavern a few days ago. Suddenly he opens his eyes. Merlin notices that Sir Oswald is also awake and jumps out of bed threateningly.
Mary paces restlessly.
Gaius looks at her over his glasses, "Calm down, Mary!"
Gwaine looks at her and says, "You like him a lot. Merlin, I mean!"
Mary looks embarrassed, "He's a good friend!"
"He should be back by now!"
Gaius nods, "I know!"
This only makes Mary more nervous. Gwaine unceremoniously walks to the door, "I'll go see what's going on!" and he disappears from the room.
Merlin is under distress. Both knights are awake and Sir Oswald comes at him with his sword. Merlin is able to dodge and at the same time tries to talk his way out of why he was in the room. Gwaine comes in and says, "Is there a problem here?"
Oswald says curtly, "No, now go!"
"Are you okay, Merlin?" Merlin shakes his head in panic.
"I told you to get out!" says Oswald again.
Gwaine turns to him: "I wasn't talking to you."
"You dare speak to a knight like that?"
Ethan goes at Gwaine with his sword. The latter draws his sword and disarms his opponent with a skillful hit. The fight continues, this time between Oswald and Gwaine.
Finally both knights are disarmed. The noise has awakened others and Sir Leon comes into the room with some guards, "What's going on?"
"This man attacked me. I demand an audience with the king." says Sir Oswald. Gwaine is arrested.
Merlin runs back to Gaius and Mary. There he tells them what happened and appends, "It's not Sir Oswald. It's the thug from the tavern, Dagr was his name if I'm not mistaken. He's using a magic crystal to change his appearance." Together they go to the throne room, where Gwaine is just being brought before the king.
Oswald says, "Sire, this man raised his sword against me. He tried to kill me!"
"Is this true?" the king asks Gwaine.
"I was trying to protect Merlin."
Oswald: "I tried to talk to him. But he was obsessed. I'm sure Sir Ethan agrees with me."
"Indeed, I can vouch for his words."
Enraged, Gwaine stands up, "He's a liar!"
Uther shouts, "Hold your tongue, how dare you speak to a knight like that!"
"Nobility is defined by what you do, not by what you are. These men are nothing but...they are arrogant thugs."
Oswald says, "You see, Sire, how he acts."
"I have heard enough! When a commoner attacks a noble, it violates the code of the knights!" says the king.
"I agree with you wholeheartedly, sire! We must make an example of him. Nothing less than his execution, gives me satisfaction."
Arthur interjects, "Father, I know how this must look. This is an embarrassing situation. Sir Oswald is a good friend and our guest here in Camelot, but Gwaine is also my guest. He may not have noble blood, but he has a noble heart."
"How can you say that when he acts like that?"
"Gwaine saved my life and put his at risk in the process. I beg you. If a knight's word is his bond, then I give you my word that Gwaine is a good man. He deserves clemency!"
The king looks at Gwaine and says, "I banish you from Camelot. If you ever return, you will pay with your life! Leave the city by daybreak."
Gwaine packs up his few belongings. Mary and Merlin stand by. Merlin says, "I'm sorry."
"Don't be! I never stay long in one place. I get on people's nerves quickly."
"Not me!"
And Mary adds with a smile, "Not us!"
"After all that trouble?"
Merlin says, "On the contrary, things got interesting with you around!"
Gwaine laughs, "Take care of Arthur. He's in danger."
"I thought you hated nobles!"
"I do, but maybe he's worth dying for. Oh, and look after Mary! Though I don't have to tell you that! If you don't marry her, I'll come back and take the princess with me!"
He winks at Mary. Merlin looks down at the ground, embarrassed. Gwaine leaves the castle and Camelot.
Merlin paces back and forth, "I don't know what we should do."
Gaius says, "I can try to get Arthur to back off."
"He won't. I know Arthur. I have to use my powers to protect him."
Mary says anxiously, "With the king and half of Camelot watching?"
"I have no choice."
The day of the tournament dawns. Sir Oswald and Sir Ethan go over the plan again. Merlin helps the prince get ready during this time. "If I tell you something is a bad idea..."
"Then I ignore you, yes."
"And in the end, I'm right."
"Merlin, your concern for my welfare is touching," Arthur says sarcastically.
"I'm serious, though. You should back off."
"I know you think hand-to-hand combat is a stupid game. But it's more than that! It's how I prove to the people that I can lead them."
"I know. Just be careful." Merlin hands the blunt sword to the prince.
The king opens the tournament a short time later. All the knights are seated on their horses as it begins. Mary stands at the edge of the audience waiting for Merlin. Nervously, she holds her hands together. Finally he comes running and stands next to her. Tensely they watch the knights and especially keep an eye on Oswald and Ethan. The knights fight each other on the horses first. One by one, the knights are torn from their horses, or fall off. Mary sees that some are injured by the magic blades. But it seems to be lost in the general commotion.
Merlin grabs her arm and says, "There, he's going right for Arthur!"
Mary also sees Sir Oswald riding toward Arthur from behind. She holds her breath and puts her hand over Merlin's. He braces himself for having to use magic. But Arthur suddenly turns, sees Oswald coming, and ducks at the right moment. Sir Oswald falls off his horse the crowd cheers. Mary and Merlin breathe a sigh of relief.
Arthur is also knocked to the ground, and suddenly it's just him against Oswald on the field. Sir Ethan comes up to the two of them on horseback. Mary says, "Merlin! You have to do something or Arthur dies!"
Merlin's eyes light up gold and Ethan's saddle slides off the horse with him. Mary gratefully squeezes his hand. But the fight is not over yet. Now both, Sir Oswald and Sir Ethan are going at Arthur. "He won't last long!" whispers Mary.
Merlin shakes his head in despair. Suddenly, an additional knight stands up. He seems injured, because he is holding his shoulder. Nevertheless, he stands with his back to Arthur and helps fight off the other two. Mary rejoices, "Look! Someone is helping Arthur!"
"Yes, but who is that?"
"I don't know! But we should be grateful to him!"
Mary lets go of Merlin's hand and bounces up and down excitedly.
With a skillful trick, the stranger disarms Sir Ethan. Merlin grins and says, "I only know one who fights like that." Using Ethan's enchanted weapon, he stabs him in the field.
Mary looks at Merlin, "You mean...that's Gwaine?" Merlin nods.
Arthur is on the ground and Sir Oswald comes at him with his sword raised. Just as he is about to stab the prince, Gwaine deflects the blow and stabs him with the enchanted blade as well.
Arthur stands up and says, "They expect us to finish fighting." The prince takes off his helmet, "You fought bravely. The field is yours!"
When Gwaine raises his visor and Arthur recognizes him, he smiles and says, "I should have known. No one fights like you."
The king has also recognized him and instantly has the guards arrest him.
After the fight, Gaius stands before the two fallen, Sir Oswald and Sir Ethan. The king comes in and asks, "Is there nothing more you can do for them?"
"I'm sorry, it's too late for that."
"The prisoner is to blame for their death. I want him executed." he says to Arthur, who is also standing nearby.
Gaius says, "You may want to wait with your sentence. I fear that Sir Ethan and Sir Oswald are not what they seem."
Gaius takes off their chains with the crystals and then their helmets. The king and Arthur see in disbelief that there are other men in the armor. They have returned to their normal forms. They are two of the most brutal thugs from the tavern a few days ago. Arthur looks at his father, "And once again, I owe my life to Gwaine."
Mary bandages Gwain's injured shoulder while they wait outside the throne room for the king's verdict. Merlin stands next to them, leaning against a pillar. Arthur joins them and says, "The king will overlook the fact that you fought in the mêlée."
Merlin says happy, "That's fantastic!" And Gwaine thanks the prince.
Arthur, however, is not finished: "But...he's stubborn. He won't lift his sentence. You have to leave Camelot. I'm sorry Gwaine. My father is wrong. If it were up to me..."
Gwaine nods, "I know you don't have to explain yourself."
"You have until tonight."
Later that afternoon, Gwaine again, bids farewell to everyone. Merlin asks, "Where will you go?"
"I was thinking of Mercia."
"That's dangerous."
"Yes, and you get a lot more ale for your money." Merlin looks at him incredulously. "I'm joking!" laughs Gwaine.
"Why don't you tell the king who you are? He'd pardon you. You could stay here."
"I couldn't serve a man like Uther."
"But you helped Arthur."
"He stood up for me."
"I knew he would!"
Gwaine smiles, "That shows me he is noble."
"Then why don't you stay? You could be a knight, like your father. You and Arthur fought well together."
"Maybe we'll do it again someday. So long my friend!" he gives Merlin a friendly slap on the shoulder.
Gwaine stops in front of Mary. She hands him a vial, "Here, for the pain in your shoulder. It's a bruise. It will hurt for a while, but heal well."
"Nothing hurts me, except my heart, because I have to leave you here."
Mary smiles at him, "I hope we meet again!"
With a sideways glance at Merlin, Gwaine says, "I see now, why you blocked my approach. He is lucky to have such a smart and beautiful woman by his side!"
Mary stands on her tiptoes and kisses the man on the cheek. Merlin sees it and it bothers him more than he would like to admit.
