No. No way is this actually happening. Four chapters? In three days? From me? ME? Not possible. Clearly witchcraft is at work here. I feel like I should offer a warning. *ahem*

WARNING: Do not get used to my updates being this fast. Usually I have trouble updating once a week. Surely that will eventually become the case here, and I apologise in advance for that. Just know you have been warned. Oh, and also (PLEASE READ) there is slight swearing and violence in this one. Nothing too horrible, really, but just so you know.

Pretty sure I would have actually had this uploaded like two hours ago except we have a new puppy and she just doesn't want me to write in peace. Good thing she's so damn cute.

One of Camelot High's proudest features was the green fields that surrounded the classrooms. A large expanse of soft grass, dotted by shade-providing trees, made up the playground and soccer fields where students could spend their free time if they didn't want to spend it in the overcrowded cafeteria or largely unpopular library. It was a place where they could relax, run around and take in the fresh air to revive them from an arduous double maths.

It was also where they could gather round in a large circle to watch and more often than not cheer at any kind of conflict that would arise. Arthur and his friends pushed through such a circle determinedly and were met with a distressing sight when they reached the inner edge of spectators. There was Merlin, picking himself up with the help of Leon who had a strong hold of his thin arm. Just ahead of them with his back to them was Gwaine, looking murderous in a tense stance that could not be mistaken as anything but ready to fight. And on the opposite side of this makeshift ring, the receiver of Gwaine's glare, was Oswald. Arthur saw red. Oh, of all the people, it had to be Oswald.

"I'm telling you, it was a complete accident," Oswald was saying, looking as if it had been anything but. Arthur strode forward, ready to wipe that smirk right off his face. Or rather, punch it off. Repeatedly. Percival and Elyan both followed Arthur into the circle while Lancelot quickly walked over to Merlin and Leon to ask if the boy was okay. Oswald turned to see the three boys heading in his direction. "Well, well, look who's come to save the day, again," he sneered, but Arthur could see a flicker of fear in his eyes.

As there should be, he thought, right before socking the jerk right in the jaw.

Oswald cried out as he heard a sickening crack and he stumbled back, his hands coming up to his mouth. "I thought we talked about this, Oswald," growled Arthur, his voice low and deadly. "I thought I had myself quite clear."

Oswald straightened up with a shaky grin, his hands falling away from his face where a colourful bruise was already forming beautifully. "I don't know why you keep getting involved," he said mockingly. "I'm not even doing anything wrong. It's not my fault the boy's clumsy - " he doubled over as Arthur lunged for another attack, this time landing a solid fist right in his gut. A small cry of pain escaped Oswald's mouth which he quickly tried to stifle. The crowd around them had begun to cheer, a few of them starting the usual chant of 'fight, fight, fight,' and Arthur's anger only grew. They thought this was just some petty backyard brawl? They had no idea, and they were acting as if it were entertainment. They didn't even know what they were watching. Not really.

"Is he just not getting the message?" asked Gwaine, stepping up beside his friend and watching as Oswald stood up straight again, though slower this time. He had to raise his voice as the chanting grew louder. "You'd think even that thick skull of his would absorb it by now." His eyes narrowed and his fists clenched tightly. "Stay. Away. From Merlin."

Oswald looked as though he were about to retort but at that moment he glanced somewhere behind them and immediately backed up, his hands raising in the air in a sign of surrender. "Hey, I don't want any trouble."

Arthur almost laughed as Percival and Elyan stepped up either side of him and Gwaine, Percival cracking his knuckles loudly. Him? Not cause trouble? It was too ridiculous to be funny, really.

"What is the meaning of this?!" a booming voice rang out over the gathering. The chanting and cheering immediately died down, many of the onlookers even going so far as to flee the scene. Arthur refused to take his eyes off of Oswald, who was attempting to look innocent, but he knew who was standing behind them.

"Sir - "that was Leon, trying to intervene, but Principal Uther cut him off.

"Really boys? Four against one?"

"We were defending my brother, sir," Arthur explained through gritted teeth, knowing it wouldn't do any good. Nevertheless, he kept his eyes glued on Oswald. The bastard was trying to hold back a smirk.

"He looks perfectly fine to me," the principal answered coldly, and Arthur's whole body tensed up. The others, who actually had turned around to face him, were obviously just as angry, but remained quiet. "Whereas the one you have been picking on has a rather spectacular bruise on his chin."

"I only saw Merlin trip sir," Oswald said in a voice that would impress Oliver Twist. "Next thing I knew I was being attacked."

Gwaine turned back to him with a face contorted in anger. "You lying piece of - "

"That is quite enough, boys," Uther stated firmly. "Misters Pendragon, Smith, Strong and Caerleon, you will bring yourselves to detention right after school." Uther turned to where Leon and Lancelot were standing with Merlin in between them. "You boys make sure to keep your noses clean," he finished warningly before stalking off towards the main office. Oswald smirked outright and gave a small wave before walking away, his friend Hector falling into step next to him and muttering in a low voice. Arthur watched him grow with a suppressed growl before finally turning to the others. He immediately looked Merlin over, keeping an eye out for any sort of injury. There didn't appear to be. Other than the slight trembling and Merlin's sudden inability to look anyone in the eyes, he seemed okay.

Even so. "You alright kid?"

Merlin continued to study his shoes. "Don't call me that," he said quietly. Arthur walked up to him and rested his hands on his brother's shoulders gently. Still, the boy flinched.

"Merlin." His voice was as serious as it had ever been. "Are you alright?"

"I'm fine." Merlin's voice was as shaky as his hands. "All he did was push me over."

This time, Arthur couldn't help but think. He turned around to glare at Oswald's now distant back. "That absolute, utter bastard," he spat.

"Arthur." He turned back to his brother, who's hands had curled into fists. "Please don't." Lancelot rested a hand on his shoulder in comfort.

"Has this been going on?" Arthur asked suddenly. "Since the term started, has he been talking to you?"

Merlin shook his head quickly. "No. No, I - "

"Merlin." Lancelot was frowning gently at him with slight confusion. He didn't really know what was going on or who that boy had been, but he didn't understand why Merlin was lying to his brother.

"Lancelot," Merlin said back, finally looking up. He stared hard at Lancelot, a warning, but the others did not miss it.

"What is it, mate?" asked Gwaine. Merlin shook his head but Lancelot answered, albeit with hesitation.

"He was the one picking on Merlin yesterday."

"He what?!" Arthur's voice rose and he fought to keep the anger down. "Merlin, I told you to let me know if he bothered you again. You promised, dammit!"

Merlin cringed away slightly and Lancelot shot Arthur a slightly disapproving look but Arthur ignored him. He, too, had no idea. No idea what the dickwad had done or was capable of doing.

"I didn't want to worry you," Merlin said, and though he looked scared he fought to keep his voice steady. He wasn't weak. He wasn't vulnerable. He was nobody's victim, and he wanted Arthur and the others to finally see that.

"I'm your brother, Merlin," Arthur said, calmer, sadder than before. "It's my job to worry."

Merlin said nothing, only continued to stand on shaky legs and pretend he wasn't as scared as he was.

"You know I'm going to ask, right?"

The bell had rung and Merlin had made his way back to class with Gwaine in his wake, insisting he had class right next door. The others had slowly begun to make their way back to the main building, and Lancelot wanted answers.

"What was that all about? What has Oswald got against Merlin?" Why is Merlin so terrified of him?

Still his only answer was silence. They had just walked past the cafeteria and would soon be parting ways to go to different classes.

"Arthur?"

Arthur stopped and turned on him, looking murderous. "It doesn't concern you!" Lancelot was taken aback by the sudden poison lacing his voice. "You've been here for less than two days Lancelot! Much as you might like to convince yourself otherwise, you are not a part of this group, and you are not a part of this family! Mind your own business and back off!" Arthur had gradually come closer to Lancelot as he spoke until they were almost nose to nose, and it looked like he was ready to start throwing punches again. Luckily Leon silently put a hand on his shoulder and gently tugged him back. Arthur quickly turned around and stormed away, leaving a shocked Lancelot in his wake.

"He didn't… mean any of that," Leon said hesitantly. "He's just upset."

"Why?" Lancelot couldn't help but ask. "Don't get me wrong, I was angry too, seeing him bothering Merlin, but obviously there's something more to it."

Leon ran a hand through his hair nervously. "It's not really my place to say. I don't even know the whole story, to be honest."

"None of us do," put in Elyan. "We know parts, sure, but there's obviously parts to the story we weren't told. Only Gwaine, Arthur and Merlin know all of it. And there's no way they're sharing." He looked uncomfortable. "Honestly I'm not sure I want to know."

"We were friends with Oswald, once." Percival added quietly. "But then…" he shook his head. "It just all got really messed up."

"We'd better get to class," Leon said after a moment of silence. He faced Lancelot with something close to sympathy. "Seriously, don't mind what Arthur said. He'll cool down. Just… try not to bring Oswald up again." He turned with a small wave and walked in the same direction Arthur had gone, Percival and Elyan following suit. Lancelot took a moment to sigh and ponder what had been said, what he'd seen. The look on Merlin's face out there, the way he flinched at Oswald's voice…

Lancelot found himself disagreeing with Elyan. He wished he could know exactly what had happened between all of them. Surely it was better then letting his imagination run wild with the possibilities.

With a shudder, Lancelot walked dejectedly towards his class.

Freya looked up from her seat in ancient history, relief flooding her as she saw Merlin enter the classroom, Gwaine waving from the door with a forced grin on his face. Mr Monmouth, their librarian and history enthusiast, didn't even notice the late arrival, his attention solely on the lecture he was giving on ancient Greece and the notes he was writing on the board as he talked.

Merlin sat down in his usual spot next to her but didn't meet her eyes, quietly pulling out his books without any of his Merlin-esque enthusiasm. The expression of worry returned to Freya's face. Something was obviously very wrong.

"Merlin?" she tried quietly. He paused in his actions before pulling out the last of his things and turning to her with a smile.

It was the most awful smile she had ever seen.

"I heard what happened," she said in a whisper, "Are you okay?"

He shook his head. "It's nothing," he whispered back. "I'm fine, really. Whatever stories you heard, they were exaggerated." He tried for another smile and it was just as fake and tired as the last. He turned to the front of the room where Mr Monmouth was continuing to talk, but Freya continued to study her friend.

She didn't believe him for a moment.

I think the thing I hate most about this chapter is my unoriginality for their last names. Elyan Smith? Percival Strong? Really, NerdBurga, you actually went there? -sigh- ah well. Thanks so much for all your support so far, until next time :) I have to go play with an energetic puppy now.