Arthur thrust the boy into the throne room. He nodded curtly to the guards standing there.
"Leave us." He waved a hand towards the doors. "We are not to be distributed."
By God, Arthur's anger cooled down a bit. I sound like my father…
As the guards rushed to obey him, Arthur peered down at Callum. The little boy was shaking so hard it was a miracle he didn't vibrate right on through the floor.
"I'm sorry!" He whispered, head lowered. "I…I'm sorry."
'Why?" Arthur murmured, staring down at the boy. "Why are you sorry?"
The little boy lifted his head. Arthur's heart sputtered at the absolute misery he saw there.
"Cause I made you mad," Callum squinted his eyes, as though trying to fight back tears. "I made you mad… I upset you…"
"You…" Arthur closed his eyes. The king wondered, not for the first time, what exactly this child had gone through under Odin. He was so… beaten down. "You also saved my life. Callum… You could have died… I don't want you to die for me."
"Knights die for their king all the time." Callum pointed out. "That's what you're supposed to do."
"That's… true." Arthur agreed slowly. "But you're not a knight, little one. Not yet." He gave a small chuckle, his rage draining away the longer he stood beside the boy. "One day, that may be the case… but for now, and until you leave Camelot, you are my responsibility. Do not put yourself in harm's way, especially not for me, again."
"I…I won't." Callum agreed, reluctantly. The boy sketched his foot along the floor. "Are…" he swallowed hard. "Are you going to punish me, sire?"
Whatever anger was left in the king faded away at that pitiful statement…he'd been angry, sure… but he'd never punish anyone for saving his life.
"Not this time." Arthur said, forcing his voice to remain firm. Like his father's always had when he was scolding him. "However… if this happens again…" he trailed off, giving the boy a meaningful glance.
Oh, for the love of-. Arthur winced as the kid flinched.
"Listen," he sighed, dropping to his knees beside the little child. "I will never hurt you… is that clear? I don't know how your master, and how your father were with you… but I'm not-."
"You're not like them," Callum cut in, eyes brimming with hope. "You're nothing like them."
"Thank you," Arthur, getting uncomfortable, stood once more. He cleared his throat as he brushed himself off. "That was very brave of you to defend me like that."
Callum, who was slowly beginning to stop shaking, smiled cheerfully.
"That's ok!" He said. "I'd do anything for you, King Arthur."
"Arthur." Arthur didn't even acknowledge the words, his mind having drifted elsewhere. "My name is Arthur."
He'd grown attached to this child… that much, was painfully clear after what had just happened…
How can I send him away now? Arthur wondered. He'd be safer away from me, but I don't think I want him away. I can protect him here. I can mold him into a knight this kingdom will be proud of. A knight that will one day be as skilled and courageous as myself.
"King… um, Arthur?"
Arthur shook his head clear and glanced down. Callum was eyeing him, the pleading clear on his face.
"I don't want to go." He whispered. "I mean… It sounds like a nice place, but I want to stay here. I want to stay and train to be a knight one day!"
"I know." Arthur sighed. "I know you do…"
Callum chewed his lip uncomfortably.
"Does that mean-."
"Let me consider it." Arthur allowed. "Give me until after the tournament… I'll answer your question then."
Merlin stood stiffly, staring at the still knife. It looked so… harmlessly lying there. It was like it had never been so dangerous only moments beforehand.
I almost lost him, Merlin swallowed. If Callum hadn't jumped in… if I had been a minute later in stopping the knife…
"Merlin?" Gaius walked up to him, brow furrowed.
"Gaius…" Merlin gave a humorless chuckle. "We never can just live in peace, can we?"
Gaius gave a bitter smile, resting a hand on his shoulder. The sun shone above their heads, as bright and warm as fire.
Guess I can't say I'm trembling from the cold, Merlin thought bitterly. Taking a deep breath, and glancing skyward. It's as hot as a dragon's breath out here.
"Merlin?" Percival, who had been standing nearby, talking with Leon and the others, stepped over to him. "Are you alright?"
Gaius stepped away to give them room to talk. Merlin's heart clenched as he eyed the knight.
Gwiane's friend…
"I'm fine." He murmured, his tone making it clear how absolutely untrue that was.
Percivil sighed. The big knight stared down at the dagger, his face twisted in grief.
"I worry too…" he admitted, running a hand along his face. "Everyday… I worry… we've already lost so much. I don't think I could bear to lose anymore. I don't think anyone could bear to lose Arthur."
"We almost did!" Merlin yelled, unable to hold it in any longer. "We almost did… he was dying in my arms, Percival. He was telling me… in his own way, goodbye. He was thanking me and… and…" Merlin choked back tears. "And he's my friend, and I thought I'd failed him."
"But you didn't." Percival pointed out, voice raspy. "You saved his life, Merlin… I've always wondered how… but… you did."
How I did it? Merlin shivered, swallowing hard. No one could ever know how he had saved Arthur, no one. That was a secret he intended to keep with him into the afterlife.
"I suppose…" Merlin shrugged helplessly. "I suppose even fate can be defeated, if you know of a sword that can pierce it."
Merlin stood there with his friend as the hour passed and the knights and civilians began to return. Slowly, he and Percivil made their way from the arena.
No one can ever know how Arthur stills lives, Merlin knew. But me? I'd do it all again with a second thought. I'd do anything for Arthur.