Hello my dears. I would like to thank zZCoalpawZz, OechsnerC, mersan123 and Howarand for the wonderful reviews. I would also like to thank those of you who have followed and favoured since my last update.
I have now moved and started my new job, so hopefully I will get back to my regular Friday night updates. Fingers crossed.
Anyway here is the next chapter, I hope you like it. And I promise, for those who have been asking, Morgause will be in the next one.
Disclaimer: I don't own Merlin.
As soon as Merlin returned to the castle, he was sent into a flurry of activity preparing packs for both himself and Arthur. They were to ride out before the sun sunk any lower in the sky, in the hopes of travelling some of the distance before camping for the night. Arthur did not want to leave bandits in Camelot's borders for any longer than he had to. Therefore it seemed barely only moments from his return before he was mounted on his horse, riding at Arthur's side as they galloped out of the gates. The pace was hard, and left little time to talk, though that didn't stop Merlin grumbling at how he had barely any time to prepare, and maybe if Arthur wasn't such a prat he would have been able to pack for himself. Of course Arthur retorted in a superior tone about how Merlin was his servant and it was his job to get his provisions. The knights following them all just shared small smiles at the banter between the two. They had long ago learnt to never expect Merlin to behave as a servant should, just as they knew that he would be with them no matter what the danger they were going to face. Merlin was Arthur's shadow, and he had made him a better man in the minds of his knights. They had always respected Arthurs skills with a sword, and accepted his arrogant behaviour as just for the Prince of Camelot, but since Merlin's arrival they had seen the difference, and had felt it within themselves also. They all now took notice of those around them, no longer expected or demanded things, but appreciated what others did for them in return for the protection they offered. Merlin really had had an effect that was felt throughout the whole of Camelot, and the knights knew it.
Or at least the ones who Arthur had chosen to bring did. It did not escape Sir Leon's notice that Arthur only ever took certain knights with him when he went into dangerous situations, like the one they were heading for. He was well aware he only took those who understood Merlin's role in his life, understood he was less a servant and more a friend, if not a moral compass to them all on occasion. Oh yes, Leon knew Merlin's worth, and he could never thank the gods enough for whatever miracle it was that brought the young man into their lives. For not only was he helping reshape the way the men thought, but the patrols he was on always seemed to have a luck that none of the other did. More men always survived the attacks and skirmishes when he was with them. Oh, he knew a lot of people put that survival down to the fact that Arthur was with them, giving him an almost mythical status, but Leon had been there when they had gone to confront the dragon. Had been one of the only three to survive. And he knew that Merlin was a lot more than anyone thought he was. Oh he didn't know his secret, but he had seen how he had ridden at Arthur's side, with a silent confidence which infused them all. He and Arthur together had inspired him, not one alone. The two of them together, he was sure, could take on anything. And together they created an atmosphere in which willed the knights to fight harder. That was why they survived. Because of the two men who they followed, even if one was a peasant serving boy. He was still braver than many a man Leon had met.
The party pulled over as dusk started to turn to true night, finding the perfect place to make camp by the side of the road and not far from a stream. No one questioned the fact that Arthur and Merlin had decided on this spot together, they both spent much time in the woods around Camelot hunting, and it was only natural for them to confer. Once they got to it they all set about setting up camp, assigning themselves duties in a practised routine. It wasn't long until they were all sat around the fire which burnt brightly, eating the stew Merlin had made for them, happily enjoying each other's company even if they were riding towards danger. This was the life of a knight.
The happy banter and talk continued until Arthur declared it was time for rest, and set the watches. He took the first, though not because he couldn't sleep as many of his men thought, but more he wanted to talk to Merlin.
Once all the knights were settled he turned to his friend who was sat next to him watching the flames with a small smile on his lips.
"So Merlin, where were you?" Arthur asked, bumping his shoulder to get his attention.
"Hmm, what? When?" Merlin asked pulling himself away from mind where he was remembering the kiss he and Morgana had shared.
"Earlier today." Arthur replied with a roll of his eyes. When else would he be talking about? He had spent a good long time trying to find his servant to get things ready for this ride. He wanted to know why he hadn't been there when he wanted him, and it hadn't escaped his notice that Morgana too had been missing. Not that he had mentioned that to anyone other than Gwen, who agreed to keep it quiet when she had come to him worried about her missing mistress.
"Oh, I was picking herbs for Gaius." Merlin responded offhandedly. After all it had been what he was doing when Arthur was looking for him, eventually at any rate.
"Is that what's it called now-a-days?" Arthur asked with a smirk and a raise of his eyebrows, taking great delight in having something he could tease his friend about. It was nice, this was nice. To be able to talk to Merlin as if he was on the same level as him, because now they both knew that when he became king, they could well be. Or at least as close as anyone could come to being on the same level as the king.
"What are you talking about, Arthur?" Merlin asked frowning at his words. Surely he didn't know he and Morgana had talked. Oh good lord, he hoped no one had noticed they were missing from the citadel at the same time. That could cause all sorts of problems for him, namely his execution.
"Just the fact that Morgana seemed to be missing at the same time you were." Arthur answered, though the tone of voice he did it in, made Merlin realise that while Arthur may well be aware that they were gone, no one else did, in particular Uther. That was good. Very good, for his continued health and head and neck connection.
"Well I might have met her wandering the woods alone, and I couldn't not escort her could I?" Merlin replied smugly as he turned his most innocent look upon the one next to him. A look Arthur didn't believe at all. He was sure they had arranged to meet somewhere no one would see them, or question the time they spent together. They really needed to be more careful.
"Next time it might be best if you did, or better yet, bring me or Gwen along as a chaperone." Arthur suggested. He didn't want his friend to get into trouble because of his relationship with the kings ward. Because while he might be accepting of it, he knew his father wouldn't be.
"Did you mean you or Gwen, or you and Gwen?" Merlin asked cheekily moving quickly away to avoid the swat Arthur sent towards his head at his words.
"Merlin, shut up." Arthur stated, not that he thought for a moment it would work. It never did.
"Yes, sire." Merlin agreed, proving Arthur correct. He always had to get the last word in didn't he? How he and Morgana ever finished a conversation Arthur had no idea. And thinking of Morgana…
"Tomorrow when we face the bandits, stay out of trouble will you? I don't think I could face Morgana if anything happened to you." Arthur said hoping against hope his friend would do as he asked. For while he often called him a coward for hiding, he knew deep down he was one of the bravest men he knew.
"You know me, I always stay out of trouble." Merlin replied smiling widely, even if he knew that wasn't at all true. A minor detail in his mind, he only did what was needed to protect Arthur after all.
"True, you hide like a little girl." Arthur agreed with a nod, smirking as he watched the affront come across his friends face before he settled back down again.
"I have to have some talents." Merlin answered with a shrug, rather than taking Arthur to task for the girl comment. He was used to them by now, they were part of the fun, like him calling Arthur dollop head and such.
"I'm not sure that is one you want to boast about. Hell even Morgana could beat you in a fight." Arthur replied with a shake of his head as he remembered the disastrous training session they had had only that morning.
But his words caused a dark look to cross Merlin's face as he muttered, almost too quiet to hear "that's something I hope to never have to discover." He didn't want to even think of having to fight Morgana, he was already getting in too deep with his feelings for her. Had already started to open his heart to the woman he knew could easily one day become his enemy.
"Oh don't worry, I'm sure she won't be that bad as a wife." Arthur responded shoulder bumping him once more in the hopes of cheering him up. He had no idea what had caused Merlin to suddenly turn so serious.
"You're planning our marriage already? Don't you think the lady would like to be asked first?" Merlin asked jokingly pulling himself out of his thoughts of the future and back to the conversation.
"I spoke to her earlier, told her I supported the two of you." Arthur responded not looking at Merlin, but instead at the flames as he said it. He didn't want the other man to think he was treading on his toes or anything. He had just wanted them both to know they had his support.
"You did?" Merlin asked in disbelief, though even as he said the words it did suddenly make sense of the questions Morgana was asking him earlier. If she knew that Arthur supported them, which was completely against what his father would do, no doubt she wanted to know just what else he would support that Uther would not.
"Yes. I thought it best that it come from me." Arthur replied trying to explain why he had crossed that boundary. Why he had talked to the lady Merlin loved about their marriage before they had even seriously started courting.
"Thank you Sire, you have no idea how much that means." Merlin breathed in sincere happiness. Because it was obvious to him that Arthur had got Morgana thinking, and that made his job that little bit easier. If she knows Arthur supports them, then maybe he could convince her he would support the freedom of magic as well. It was definitely a good start. And after the conversation they had had earlier he was hopeful, very cautiously hopeful, that he could turn the tide of destiny and bring Morgana back to their side.
"Don't go getting all mushy on me, Merlin. It was nothing." Arthur grumbled at the enthusiasm in his friend voice, though he couldn't stop the smile that spread across his lips at the look of happiness in Merlin's eyes. He was glad he was able to put that there, that he could give his friend this much at least.
"No, it was far more than you could imagine." Merlin corrected quietly smiling once more as he turned back to watching the flames. Everything was falling into place. It was going to turn out fine. He could feel it deep in his soul.
It was late afternoon before they found the track of the bandits. Following them they found their camp, and while they were outnumbered three to one, not one of the knights there even thought of retreating. They were there to protect Camelot. That was their job. To protect the people of the kingdom, and give their lives if it was necessary in that cause. Arthur organised the men, splitting them up into pairs, himself with Leon as they would be taking the front of the camp. He also ordered Merlin to stay back with the horses, but not one person there thought for a minute he would obey. It was this reason that Leon had made sure that there was an extra sword with their gear, just in case the servant needed it.
The knights creeped forwards, not making a sound as they got into position. Once there Arthur stood and with a cry of "for the love of Camelot" charged into the camp. The bandits jumped at the sound and some, the more cowardly ones scattered when they saw the red clocks of Camelot streaming into their camp. But unluckily for Arthur and his men most didn't. Instead they stood their ground with swords and weapons at the ready.
Merlin watched as the swords clashed and people fought, he studied the action even while he made bandits trip, drop their weapons and generally caused chaos among the enemy. He watched Arthur the most, making sure no one would cause him any hurt. That was his role, protect the once and future king after all. It was because of this vigilance that he saw when a pair of bandits tried to sneak up behind Arthur, tried to move around the edge of the battle to take the Prince of Camelot in a cowardly move. Therefore he did not even hesitate to cause the branch above their heads to break, falling on them both perfectly. Whether it killed them or just knocked them out, he didn't care. They were no longer a danger to Arthur. That was all that mattered. With that in mind he turned back to watching the battle only to find it winding down, Camelot once more the victors despite the insurmountable odds.
The battle, if you could call it that, was over quickly, the bandits having been killed or driven off. Arthur was standing in the centre of the camp looking around him, he could see a litter of weapons which these sorts of skirmishes always seemed to end with. Though thinking about it for the first time he had to wonder why the bandits would leave good swords as they ran for the hills. Surely they would take them with them? It was something he had never considered before, but now it confused him. He knew if he was retreating the one thing he would never leave was his weapon unless he had no choice.
Turning around the area to make sure there were no stranglers he, for the first time noticed the tree branch to the side of two men who would have been at his back in the battle. It seemed it had fallen on them, taking out the danger he hadn't even known was there. It wasn't the first time it had happened, but as he studied the pair he couldn't help but notice it was fresh wood, not a rotting branch as you would expect to fall at such an opportune moment. Yet another thing he had never considered, but now found himself doing so. He didn't know why he was suddenly questioning these things, didn't know what it was that had happened that made him not just accept these out comes as he always had. But something was niggling at the back of his mind. He was just trying to puzzle out when Leon approached and he pulled his mind from his thoughts and turned it to what the senior knight had to say.
"We have two injured. Sir Belvedere and Sir Robert." His second in command reported, and Arthur had to say considering the numbers they were up against that was a welcome surprise. He had thought there would be more than that. Again that niggling pressed forwards, but he dismissed it in concern for his men.
"Get them tended too, in fact," he turned towards the trees behind him and raised his voice as he spoke the rest of his sentence. "Merlin come down. We have wounded." He knew Merlin would be there, that he wouldn't have listened to his order to stay with the horses. Though he was glad his friend had stayed out of the actual fighting, even if he had seen the extra sword Leon had packed just in case. He was glad they hadn't needed it. No instead he knew now would be the perfect time to show his knights his true opinion of his servant. The perfect time to show the responsibilities he was happy to put into his hands. He needed to build a foundation for when the time came when he promoted Merlin, when he gave him Morgana's hand, and his skills as a physician would be a good place to start.
"Where?" Merlin asked walking out completely unperturbed by the fact that Arthur knew he had disobeyed his orders. Like he ever followed them anyway. Though when Arthur saw he wasn't carrying the sword he had to frown. He was going to have to make sure that next time Merlin picked it up, just in case. He couldn't let anything happen to the man after all. But for now, the wounded. He was about to direct Merlin when, much to his surprise, Leon did it for him.
"Over here, do you have anything with you?" Leon asked guiding Merlin to his men. He trusted him to take care of them just as he knew Arthur did, though he was surprised by the prince saying so out loud as he had just done. Something had changed between the two men, it was subtle, but he had noticed it on the ride and now he was sure, there was some sort of new respect between the two of them, but it wasn't his place to ask or question. He was just glad that Merlin was there. Leon knew it was usually Merlin who tended to the wounded, and his main concern right then was their welfare.
"I do." Merlin answered holding up the bag he had with him in case Arthur got hurt. He was always prepared on these occasions. He had learnt long ago not to come on these sorts of missions without a healthy stock of herbs and physician equipment. He may not be Gaius, but he knew he was good enough to make sure the men made it back to him without getting any worse.
Arthur watched them walk away, and he couldn't help but note how it seemed Merlin stood a little straighter as he approached the injured. How confident he seemed as he examined their wounds and asked the same questions he knew Gaius himself would do. And watching him, he was suddenly, blindingly reminded of that morning only days ago where Merlin had been enchanted. When he had declared his love for Morgana he had stood like that, all confidence and assured. And then he remembered what else his servant had said to him then. And the way he had said it. "My magic wants to show the world how much I love her."
He couldn't breathe. Arthur stood there and found air was no longer entering his lungs. But he could do nothing but stare at the man who was caring for his knights, those words ringing in his head over and over, my magic, my magic. He remembered how he had felt when he had first heard the words, and how he couldn't believe it was possible. But now, looking around the former bandit camp he couldn't stop his eyes from registering all the things which he had wondered about. All the things would could be explained by magic. No, Merlin… no. he couldn't. But Arthur had finally figured out what was niggling at the back of his mind. A healthy tree branch falling on so conveniently, the enemy suddenly unarmed, it could all be explain with… Merlin.
As he stood there denying it with everything he had, his mind ran through every instance, every time he or his men had come out of some battle with nary a scratch, all the times Merlin had watched from the side lines. And he remembered on his quest how the bridge keeper had told him he would need magic to complete his task. And then Merlin turned up, just in time to save him from the wyvern. He didn't realise he was shaking his head, even while his hand tightened on his sword, because no matter what the evidence his mind gave him, he knew Merlin wasn't evil. He had just given him permission to court the woman he thought of as a sister, he had just decided that when he became king Merlin would become his advisor, his conscience… there was no way that that man, the man he trusted everything to had magic. He couldn't be… no.
Arthur wanted to drop to his knees and scream to the sky's, he wanted to break down and cry, he wanted to put his sword against Merlin's throat and make him deny it. Wanted to have him on his knees before him as he demanded to know why, he wanted to take his friend and shake him for all he was worth, to make him see sense, he wanted… but he couldn't do any of that. Because Merlin was tending to his wounded men, and no matter what he may be thinking, no matter what he may be considering, he didn't for a second think to not trust the man to look after those who had been hurt. He was Merlin, and this was what he did. He helped those who needed it.
But… if he has magic, then he must be evil. Why would he help? There must be some other explanation. Because he couldn't believe his friend was evil, and he couldn't see his friend die. No, Merlin did not have magic and that was the end of it.
So ignoring all the evidence around him, ignoring everything his brain was screaming at him, he moved towards the fallen knights and the one tending the wounds. He needed to know if they would need to set up camp now, or if they could move away from here before they did so. And that was something he knew Merlin could, and would, answer.
And Merlin oblivious to Arthur's thoughts tended the knights, applying compresses and stitching the worst of the wounds with what he had. They would all make it back to Gaius, who could no doubt do a much better job than him, but at least he had made it so they would get that far. Turning to Arthur he smiled as he told him that, but he couldn't help but be confused by the strange look the prince gave him. It was almost as if it was forced, and was that… fear in his eyes, quickly hidden? Just what was on his mind now?