or how stuffed animals became the hottest trend among Camelot knights

Disclaimer: I do not own Merlin.

Also english is not my first language and this is my first work. So if you find something amiss, please leave a note.

Enjoy! :)

Percival was man of big stature but also big heart. He loved to take walks in Camelot downtown. In the south was orphanage. It was founded and sponsored by Morgana before she became a traitor. Nowadays Gwen took upon herself to see the smooth running of the orphanage and if there was problem, she delegated it to Arthur. That is how Percival found this place. He was supposed to deliver some parcels from castle, which he did and from then on, he became regular visitor. He liked kids here and they also reminded him of his old hometown. His best small friend was six-year-old girl named Lisa. Her parents died during the dragon attack, but she was very cheerful and often acted as mediator in kids fights. She had a lot of courage and no problem whatsoever to bicker with children twice her size and height. Her most precious possession was crochet horse toy made by her mum. She allowed Percival to play with her toy during epic Camelot-knights-against-sorcerers-battle, which took place in orphanage dining room during one rainy afternoon, and she also gave him small painting of him on his horse. So, when the small toy-horse was lost, there was only one thing left for Percival to do.

Four days later in armoury

Percival was squatting in corner and his brows were squinted in concentration. He was silently cursing his big clumsy hands. Suddenly there were steps, voices and clinking of armour. Percival quickly stuffed his work into bag with spare shirts next to his feet and stood up. He made it in time to see Gwaine and rest of the knights walk in. They were loud and energetic, ready for whatever training had Arthut prepared for them.

"Percival! Where have you been? I didn´t see you in dining hall during breakfast today! "asked Gwain in loud voice. Percival often thought that Gwain only had two volumes. Very loud mode when he was awake and silent mode during his sleep. There was no between.

"Warm up. " Said Percival and was happy that he had quiet reputation. He wasn't really quiet, but it saved a lot of explanations. Like now, everybody just nodded like everything was just as it was supposed to be and started to prepare. Percival relaxed a little and frowned at bag near his feet. This was taking too long.

After training

BAAM

The doors hit the wall with loud noise and surprise made Percival to let go of his work. He had no time to hide his latest creation and dread hit him.

"Oh Percival? I am sorry! I didn´t meant to surprise you, but I am just bit busy. You know his royal ass was looking for his dagger. I told him that it was not here, but nooo he never listens! Just go and check it he said. And... "the blabbering stopped and Percival realized where was the hasty manservant looking. If it was any other knight, Percival was sure that he would made fun of him for the rest of live. But not Merlin. Merlin was kind and sometimes strangely wise. And Percival was desperate for some advice. He lifted his unfinished work and showed it to Merlin.

"I need help" he said and the servant eyes grow wider.

"... It looked simple. I somehow manage to make legs and torso, but head is nightmare. And the main and tail I just don´t know how. And the bow! How do you make a bow that stays tied? No moving at all! That is just unreal!" Percival realised that he sounded frustrated and very unmanly. He anxiously looked at Merlin and was expecting to see him smirking, but Gods bless his soul, he was just looking at almost finished horse in Percival hands with concentration and bewilderment.

"Percival don´t take me wrong, but why don´t you just buy some toys from market? Or hire somebody to make it? It can´t be that expensive. "

Percival looked at his feet: "She has nightmares Merlin. She was young when the dragon attacked, but she stills remember the flames. I told her that when her mum made the horse toy, she put a wish in it. Whenever she is having nightmare, her stead will take her and run from every bad dream. So, the toy is her lucky-charm and it must look exactly the same. But I am not sure if I can describe it correctly to some hired toymaker and also, I feel somehow, that it must be me that makes it. It stupid but... "Percival let his voice trailed off.

Merlin flinched when he mentioned dragon attack, but then he just resignedly sighed.

"Okey Percival, you convinced me. Give me the plushie and I will see what I can do. "

" Wait what? You know how to crochet?"

Merlin just secretively grinned " No, but let's say I know few tricks. You just need to give me the material and description, and I will figure it out somehow. No, don´t say anything "he stopped Percival before he could say anything. " I know that I have no obligations to help you and I also have one royal prat in my care, but let's just say that for once I also want to be a knight helping damsel in distress. "

Percival looked at him and wanted to say thanks from bottom of his heart when suddenly roar shook the castles foundation. "MERLIIIN! "

"Ups, my call. Sounds a bit urgent. " commented Merlin and didn´t move.

Percival lifted eyebrows. Merlin rolled his blue eyes and with sight stood up. "Fiiiine. But I will see you in my room after dinner. We have princess to save! "He grinned and happily skipped to save her royal father.

Sometime later

Arthur knew that Merlin was up to something. He also knew it included Percival. He didn´t knew what it was and why include Percival, but he had enough. When they finished training and everybody but this two complices left the armoury he sneaked silently back behind the door and tried to eavesdrop upon soft voices inside.

"...do you have it? "

"...yeah, I slept like four hours yesterday, but somehow it is ready. "

"Really? That was fast! I thought that it would take longer. Can you show it to me? I need to check the quality. "

Quality? That sounded somehow shady and Arthur´s mind started to spin with list of illegal items, that had various quality and corresponding prices. Had his servant and knights started to smuggle something? Loud gasp interrupted his thoughts.

"It the same! That's amazing! How did you do it? "came from inside surprised voice and Arthur couldn´t decipher who was speaking.

"Well, I had some help from Gwen, but it all thanks to you material. "

Material? Oh gods, they were doing something illegal! And now they wanted to corrupt even Gwen! Arthur wouldn't allowed that. He opened the door without knocking and yelled:

„Stop what you are doing and show me your hands at once! "

Which wasn´t necessary because both Merlin and Percival stood there utterly petrified. There was stuffed toy in Percival hand. Small white horse with blue ribbon around his neck and button eyes. Arthur froze as his brain struggle to comprehend visual input.

" . .that.?"he managed.

The room stay silent for few more minutes, during which was Percival his usual quiet self just staring at Arthur (was that dread in his eyes?) and Merlin´s eyes were darting around the room with frantic hurry until they found Percival face. Then with sight he took the stuff toy from Percival hands.

"Good job Arthur! You caught us. Percival was just giving me my pony that he picked up earlier in laundry room. It was bit dirty, but now it is fine. I can lend him to you for tonight if you want, but tomorrow you need to give him back to me. "Merlin walk to Arthur and showed him his horsy toy.

Arthur brain had short-circuited. "You sleep with stuffed toy? "

Merlin frown.: "First of all his name is Mr. Cloud. Second, he and I share more memories than I do with you, so his sentimental value is higher so I would be very careful about how you talk about him. And third, he contains some lavender in his tummy, which should help with sleep and Gaius had asked me to try it. So no, Arthur. I don´t sleep with stuff animal. I am unwilling participant in very serious experiment, but your brain has no capacity to hold all the details, so I am not going to explain the whole thing. I will be leaving first. Mr. Cloud let´s go! "said Merlin, gave Arthur one judging glare and went past him through door. Percival followed no long after and Arthur just stood there and tried to process it all.

Near orphanage

"Thanks Merlin. Without you, I would be..."

"Sack of sadness shredded of all dignity with constant reminders from other knights. Yeah, you welcome I was glad to help. "

Said Merlin without turning as he continued to watch adventure of princess Lisa and her loyal stead Blue (known in past as ). Percival nodded and looked somehow guilty.

"Are they making fun of you? "

"Who? You mean knights? "asked Merlin distractedly and then he turn to face Percival with grin.

"They wanted to. But I told them that lavender worked, and I had the best sleep in months. So, Gwain wanted to try it, so I lent him Mr. Cloud yesterday. And today he told me that he had also the best sleep in long time so he wanted to buy Mr. Cloud, but I told him I couldn't part with him, you know too much memories and so on. Oh, and other knights also wants to try so I´ll probably make some more stuff and then let them buy some. Of course, yours will be free if you are interested. "

Percival looked at Merlin with newfound respect. And then he came with very interesting question:

"So what animals are you going to make?"

"Owl for Gaius, unicorn for Lancelot, rabbit for Gwen, wolf for Leon, bull for you, salamander for Elyan and peacock or salmon for Gwain, I am not sure about that one. "

"I get the peacock but why make salmon for Gwain? "

Merlin grinned: "Because he is always practically swimming in alcohol. And also, he travels a lot and sometimes he goes against the flow. Merlin somehow seriously nodded. „Yeah I think salmon is good choice. "

Percival silently agreed: "And for Arthur? "

Merlin smiled widely like sunshine: "Lion! I saw that creature in Gaius book. It is supposed to be real and non-magical, but nobody I ever know saw it. His illustrations are quit ugly and also it eats a lot, but never hunt its food itself, so it is also very lazy. "

Percival laugh aloud and asked final question: "Fine, that sounds fitting. And what would you want for yourself?

Merlin looked suddenly very solemn: "Oh, Percy for me there is only one. And he is already taken. " And his eyes longingly looked at Mr. Cloud. But secretly he was thinking about his new friend Mr. Flame red-blue dragon, which was waiting with small wooden dragon in his room.