Merlin wiped her brow with the back of her hand. The forest was hot and humid.
"This will go faster if we split up." Arthur held up the piece of parchment they had brought with them and tore it in half.
It had been a slow day at court when Gaius had requested assistance in procuring stock herbs for his medicines. Neither Arthur nor Merlin had jumped to perform the menial task, but there had been reports of a monster roaming the forest, making it too dangerous for servants to scavenge for herbs. Arthur's schedule had been clear and subsequently they had spent half the morning hunched over squinting at plants to try and match them with Gaius' descriptions.
Merlin turned towards Arthur and raised an eyebrow.
"And what if you get in trouble and I'm not there to save you?"
"I've never actually needed you to save me, Merlin." He smirked, "Nice to know you care though."
"Oh please. I only care about my own neck. If you died, your father would kill me for sure. Or at the very least ban me from Camelot, and I have grown so used to its luxuries."
She tugged at her new leather vest appreciatively.
"Good to know I have such a loyal Protector."
Merlin just smiled and shook her head.
"Seriously though," Arthur tried again, "the sooner we get Gaius' herbs, the sooner we can get back into the castle and out of the heat."
"Camelot's fiercest warrior, defeated by heat. How embarrassing."
Arthur handed her the slightly longer half of the list and turned to walk away.
"Fine!" She yelled after him, "But you better be in the clearing by the time the sun is directly overhead! Otherwise I'm telling your father you ran away and he'll clap you in irons for sure!"
Arthur was already out of sight and Merlin decided to start looking for her herbs.
After about 10 minutes, Merlin had collected the majority of her assigned herbs and was scouring the ground for the last, particularly difficult herb when she heard distant scratching noises.
Seamlessly, Merlin tied off her bag of herbs and unsheathed her swords, crouching behind an oversized stump.
Merlin waited as the sounds got louder and louder. She concentrated on her perceptive magic, trying to identify the source of the noise.
Not human. Bird-y? It sounded too large to be any type of bird she knew of and felt too different from Kilgharrah to be a dragon. She peaked around the corner and felt her heart rate pick up.
She spun her swords once and prepared to fight.
The thing was huge. Merlin jabbed and ducked, trying to at least injure the beast so that it would stop attacking but so far the animal had dodged all of her attacks.
Slashing both swords across its breast, Merlin was able to finally land a hit.
Instead of retreating, though, the animal was only further enraged.
It reared back like a horse and raked one of its claws across her face and torso. She fell backwards onto the ground, four large scratch marks marring her front. Her blood felt warm and sticky.
Merlin pulled a dagger from her boot and threw it at the animal. The dagger pierced the creatures wing and it shrieked in pain and anger, advancing again.
Without hope of defeating the creature with melee fighting, she finally resorted to magic.
From the ground, she tried to kill the beast with lightning and scramble backwards at the same time. The animal was immune, though, and deflected the magic.
Merlin was truly beginning to panic. This was not how she was meant to die. Pulling herself upwards with the help of a tree she retrieved her dragon's-breath blade prepared to make a last stand.
Suddenly, another figure appeared in the forest. He attacked the beast with hurried movements, looking at her rather worriedly. The beast briefly backed off. He turned to her, his eyes wide.
He grabbed her arm, helping her stand up.
"Come on! We have to run!"
Merlin half limped, half ran as the animal gave chase before her savior pulled her down underneath a fallen tree trunk.
The beast flew past them and he finally turned towards her.
"Are you alright?"
"I'm just fine," she slurred, eyes bleary with pain and blood loss, "You?"
"Yes," he said, "yes I am uninjured. I'm Lancelot by the way."
"Mmmm. We should go before he comes back." Merlin thought her eyelids felt like the heaviest thing she had ever had to hold up.
She stumbled to her feet, gesturing for Lancelot to join her.
"C'mon help's that way," she pointed towards the clearing she was meant to meet Arthur in. She took a few stumbling steps and Lancelot followed concernedly behind her.
"Are you sure? Perhaps you should rest for a moment."
"No." She clapped a hand on his shoulder and looked him dead in the eye. "If I'm not in that clearing in five minutes. I'll be dead."
Of course Merlin's half-delirious reference to her rapidly declining time allowed away from Arthur came across as lethally serious to Lancelot.
Consequently, when Merlin collapsed two steps later, Lancelot scooped her up bridal style and ran as fast as he could to the clearing she had pointed towards.
Panting and drenched in his own sweat, Lancelot was incredibly relieved when he reached the clearing. But only for a moment.
Seconds after stepping into the field, Lancelot found himself at the wrong end of a sword.
The cool metal pressed threateningly against the back of his neck as a voice sounded behind him.
"Unhand her, you animal!"
Lancelot spun around to face his assailant. It was a knight! He had bright straw-colored hair and a relatively pale complexion for a soldier.
And he was not happy with Lancelot, it seemed.
"No!" Lancelot began, "you don't understand!"
"Oh I understand perfectly," the knight sneered, "you see a maiden in the forest, unaccompanied and you think this is your perfect day. Well bad news for you, you picked the wrong girl. You'll die for this, scoundrel. The only reason your head is still on your body is that I don't want your headless body to drop her on the ground."
The Knight's sword pressed into Lancelot's neck, drawing blood. "Now," he continued, "Set her down. Gently."
"Of-of course. But, really, you don't understand. She was like this when I found her. There was a monster!"
"Sure there was."
Arthur took a step forward, his sword still pressed against Lancelot's neck, forcing him away from Merlin's body.
Arthur put himself in between them.
There was a noise from the ground. Merlin tried to move, but instead just groaned. Arthur turned towards her when he heard the noise.
Jabbing Lancelot's chest with his sword he warned him, "Move from where you stand and you'll be dead before your foot hits the ground."
Lancelot nodded and swallowed heavily.
Arthur knelt down besides Merlin.
"Merlin, don't try to speak."
"Arthur," she coughed, "you prat. Lancelot saved me. There was a monster." Her breathing was labored, but coherent. "And this doesn't count as you saving me."
Arthur sheathed his sword and scooped her up. Bringing her to Gaius as quickly as he could. He wished he had brought a horse to the forest that he could tie her to.
Later, Arthur stood outside of Gaius' quarters. He hadn't noticed at the time, but Lancelot had followed into the castle.
Arthur didn't care that Lancelot had technically saved Merlin. He couldn't divorce this new information from the sensation of seeing him carrying Merlin her armor and skin torn open, stained pink with her blood.
Arthur had never felt as out of control as he had today. His father had requested his presence in court but he had refused.
If Uther could afford for his son to spend the entire morning picking herbs, then he could allow him to stand vigil at his Protector's bedside.
No, not a vigil. Merlin could not die. She was practically still a child, for God's sake! And he hadn't even been there to save her.
Arthur wanted to punch Lancelot. Why hadn't he protected her better? He wanted to punch himself. Why hadn't he listened when she said they should stick together?
Arthur paced back and forth in the hallways, wishing he was allowed to stand by Gaius as he tended her. Eventually he grew tired of pacing. He leaned against the wall opposite Gaius' door and slid down to the floor. It was undignified, certainly, but Arthur was also certain that he could give less of a damn about dignity at the moment.
Almost an hour later, the door creaked open and Gaius stepped out. Arthur scrambled to his feet, "How is she?"
"She will be fine, Sire. All she requires is some rest. Peace and quiet. I believe she will be better within a fortnight."
Arthur sighed in relief.
"Can I see her Gaius?"
"I'm not sure that's wise, Arthur."
"Please. Just for a moment."
Gaius heaved a great sigh, "Oh very well then. But do not expect much, she is tired."
To both Arthur and Gaius' surprise, Merlin had pushed herself up into a sitting position when they entered the room.
She was tired, but her magic had instinctively healed most of her wounds, internally at least. Too much healing superficially would be suspicious to others. Merlin was grateful that her father had taught her how to embrace her magic's instincts as a child; it had saved her a large amount of pain now.
Merlin was exhausted from healing herself. She felt drained and sore.
Arthur walked over to sit by her head.
"How's Lancelot?" She asked. Arthur grimaced at the mention of his newest enemy.
"Alive."
"Glad to hear it."
"Glad to see you're alive." He clipped out formally.
"Aw, didn't know you cared!" She parroted back to him from earlier that morning.
"Very funny. I just didn't want my father to suffer the embarrassment of picking out a Protector with such a weak constitution that she died two months into the job."
"If I weren't about to fall back to sleep, I'd slap you upside the head."
"That's treason!" Arthur mock-gasped.
Merlin yawned.
"Add it to my list of offenses."
She nodded off and Gaius shooed Arthur out of his chambers.
Later that night, Arthur lay in bed awake, haunted by the image of Merlin with slash marks across her face and body.
He tossed and turned before falling into an uneasy sleep.
A few short hours later, Arthur was awoken by the sunrise. A clumsy and awkward servant helped him dress and served him breakfast.
He ate alone.
At dinner, his father asked after Merlin's health.
"She should be better within a week."
"Good to hear."
Morgana spoke up, "And what of her attacker? Surely he can't go unpunished!"
"He won't tell me what really happened. Said that he 'saved' her from a monster so until Merlin's awake and coherent we're in a deadlock."
"I saw them bring him in," Morgana continued, "And he looked like a peasant. There's no way he would've gotten the drop on Merlin without some kind of advantage. She's no amateur!"
"Enough!" Arthur bit out. "I assure you he will not go unpunished."
Uther turned towards his son and spoke, "Arthur I am happy to see you taking initiative with the prisoners, but really this is Merlin's own failing. It should be she protecting you, not the other way around."
Arthur glared at his father.
"We protect each other."
"I see."
Uther furrowed his brow. He would have to keep an eye on his son and Merlin. Or perhaps this Lancelot fellow in her demise if things got too serious. It wouldn't do to have his son's loyalty divided and Merlin would certainly not be an advisable marriage.
Uther sighed, yet another problem to worry about.
Despite Gaius' estimation of two weeks, it was only five days later when Merlin awoke in the middle of the night coherent and uninjured. She had been unable to fully control her magic as she slept and it had turned her cuts into scabs and pink scars.
God, she felt sore. She stretched and walked down to the kitchens to get a glass of water. Along her way, she felt for Lancelot's presence. When she found it, she was stunned.
Arthur's door slammed open in the middle of the night. In a second, he was out of bed, sword in hand, and prepared to defend Camelot against a siege.
The invader lit the candle on his bedside table.
It was Merlin.
Arthur lowed the sword.
"What the Hell?!" She exclaimed.
"Sorry!" He winced, "I thought you were an intruder! Who goes around banging open doors in the middle of the night?"
"Not assassins Arthur! I'm pretty sure the whole point there is to be subtle and not tip you off that they're about to kill you! And your aggression isn't even what I was referring to!"
"Well what was it then?"
"Why is Lancelot in a cell?!"
"You woke me up in the middle of the night to ask me why a criminal is in his cell." Arthur deadpanned.
"He's not a criminal!"
"Attacking the Protector of the heir apparent is High Treason, Merlin." Arthur spoke slowly and carefully to her.
"He didn't attack me, Arthur!"
Arthur sighed. Gaius mentioned that she might be in denial about what happened to her. He tried to remember Gaius' advice about how to handle this.
"It's nothing to be ashamed of, Merlin. Lancelot is the criminal here, not you. We will see him hanged. Don't worry, my father or I can still arrange a good marriage for you! You don't have to pretend it didn't happen."
Merlin let out a small laugh in shock and disbelief as she realized what Arthur was implying.
"He didn't attack me! Arthur, there was a monster, a beast! These are claw marks," she gestured to herself, "Not sword cuts!"
Arthur grimaced as he took in her scars, but continued onwards.
"Don't you want justice? What if he attacks another woman? I can't allow a criminal like him to live. Men like him never change."
Merlin raised her hand and a resounding slap echoed through the air.
Arthur brought his hand to his stinging face in shock.
Merlin raised both of her hands up to put them on his shoulders.
"I'm sorry Arthur. But you weren't listening to me! I had to snap you out of it. Lancelot. Did. Not. Attack. Me. Are you ready to listen to me?"
He nodded numbly, hand still nursing his sore face.
She told him the whole story, describing the animal as she did so.
He nodded.
"That. . . actually makes sense."
"The truth usually does."
"The description matches what villagers have told us about a mysterious monster."
"OK well now that that's resolved, we just need to free Lancelot and hunt down this monster once and for all."
"There's only one problem."
"What's that?"
"Lancelot's already been charged with High Treason."
"What?!"
"I'm sorry Merlin! You were asleep for a long time, I did what I thought was right."
"God! Has anyone in Camelot ever heard of a fair trial?"
"It's OK, we'll explain it to my father in the morning. You should get some rest now, though."
She nodded, "It'll be nice to return to my regular room."
Arthur shook his head, "No. Take my bed tonight. I'll sleep in yours. You're still recovering; you could use another night's good sleep."
Merlin rolled her eyes, "You're still being ridiculous. I feel fine." At his skeptical expression she added, "I'm tougher than I look!"
And with that, she sprung open the door to her old room and went to sleep.
Arthur could only shake his head. Awake for only a few hours after being at death's door only days before and already she was up and swinging. He smiled fondly before climbing into his own bed, able to sleep better now that she was on the other side of the wall again.
Merlin was glad that she awoke before Arthur the next morning. She had slept enough the past few days and she needed to gather her things and her thoughts.
Her old armor was shredded and it made her sad. She'd grown fond of it.
Nicking some spare clothes from Arthur's closet, she transfigured them into a close replica of her old armor. She quickly ran down to Gaius' quarters, grabbed her swords and daggers from beside her sick bed and replaced them in her new holster. She scribbled a quick note to him saying that she was better and then returned to Arthur's chambers.
He was still in bed. He was still shirtless. She supposed he had been last night too, but she had been too angry to notice.
She took up her perch on his window seat, watching over him just as she had before her injury. She was the first thing he saw when he woke up, staring down at him like some dark guardian angel.
"Good morning." He croaked.
She smiled. Her anger with him had faded. She had had time to think over his actions and, though a bit paternalistic and condescending, they had coming out of a caring place and subsequently she attributed the fault in his actions to his youth and father's influence rather than some inherent maliciousness.
"Good morning." She answered.
She had already called up for breakfast and there was a prompt knock on the door as Arthur yawned and sat up. She threw a shirt at him as he got out of bed.
He caught it and carried it to the door to answer it.
"Aren't you going to get dressed? It's distracting—for the servants, I mean."
The manservant setting out their breakfast spread raised both eyebrows and gave her a look.
Arthur's mouth contorted into a smirk.
"For God's sake, just put on the shirt!" She demanded, "Ugh, it's like living with an animal."
"Oh I'm sorry, did you have somewhere to be?" He asked teasingly.
"Yes, actually." She deadpanned, "I need to get an audience with you father to save a man you wrongfully accused in my absence from execution."
That sobered him up. They finished breakfast in silence and headed to the Great Hall.
Uther listened to Merlin's story patiently as she explained what had really happened with Lancelot.
"I'm sorry," Uther began and Merlin felt her heart sink, "But the charge has already been pressed against him. Unless you have concrete proof of this supposed beast, then I may be able to pardon him."
"What?! But Arthur will recant! Won't you Arthur?" She looked pleadingly at him.
"Yes," he said, "I will."
"There you go! Your former 'proof' of his guilt has been recanted."
"I'm sorry." Uther repeated. He didn't look too sorry, Merlin thought to herself. "But," Uther continued, "If you do not have concrete evidence of the beast before sunrise, the man will die. If he were a citizen of Camelot, perhaps things would be different. But he is not and subsequently will not be afforded all the rights of another citizen of Camelot."
Merlin stormed out of the Great Hall and headed straight for the dungeons.
Arthur made to trail after her, but his father stopped him.
"Arthur, a word, alone please."
Merlin continued on her way to the dungeons as the guards and courtiers cleared out the Great Hall for the King and the Prince to speak.
"Arthur, my son, I forbid you to aid Merlin in seeking this beast."
"What? Father, I must go! The beast is a threat to Camelot, besides, Merlin has already faced it once before and found it to be a challenge. If I don't accompany her, she will just end up injured again—she could even die!"
Perhaps that would be for the best, Uther thought to himself, but did not dare utter aloud. Instead he said, "Exactly, it is far too dangerous. Besides, yesterday you were more than happy to execute this man. Now you are willing to risk your own life to save him?"
"I am willing to do exactly what it takes to serve justice in Camelot."
"No," Uther shook his head, "You are willing to do what Merlin believes is justice. You have allowed her to have far too much influence on you. Do you know how you looked carrying her in here with tears in your eyes? Like a little boy whose puppy was trampled by a horse. You looked like a fool! Merlin is a shield, nothing more. And shields are meant to be used. Don't forget that."
Arthur bristled.
"You are dismissed."
Merlin curled her hands around Lancelot's cell and he did the same, their knuckles grazing.
"I'll get you out of here, I promise."
"Don't do anything that puts you in danger's way, my Lady. I could never forgive myself if you were injured on my behalf."
Merlin leaned forward.
"You risked your life to save mine and could die for it now. It would sully my honor not to do the same for you."
He nodded, "Please, my Lady, be careful."
He looked into her eyes and Merlin swore he could see straight through to her soul.
Leaning forward, she pressed her forehead to his through the bars, "I will." She whispered.
They stayed like that for a moment. Impulsively, she pressed her lips to his through the bars.
"Goodbye, my Lady, it was honor to know you."
"No," Merlin shook her head as she walked backwards away from the cell, "No goodbyes. Not now, not ever."
She turned around and left before he could see her confidence falter.
"Have you heard of this monster Gaius?"
"I have, Merlin. There is only one problem: you must use magic to defeat the creature."
"Then I shall go alone."
"You may find that relatively easy this time, Uther has forbade Arthur from joining you. This the book that should teach you the necessary magic."
"Thank you for your help, Gaius. You have been very generous with me."
"I would do anything for Hunith's daughter."
Merlin nodded jerkily. "Well, thanks."
"Be careful Merlin."
"I will."
The door to the armory squeaked open and Merlin turned around to see who had entered. It was Morgana.
She wore chainmail and armor that emphasized her ample breasts and a perfectly undone braid frames her face. Merlin rolled her eyes.
"I'm coming with you!" She declared.
"No. You aren't."
"My father forbade Arthur from joining you, but not me. Besides, I know how to fight!" Her eyes were bright and her chest heaved with anticipation at joining Merlin on the adventure.
"Knowing how to knock a sword around with a couple knights trained to protect you is not the same as knowing how to fight."
"I know you would do the same thing for me, Merlin!"
". . .No offense, Morgana, but I don't have time for this. Look, I know your intentions are good, but you would just slow me down."
"Don't try to protect me, Merlin! I thought you would understand—we're both women, they always treat us like we're made of glass! But you have proven to everyone that women can fight just as well as men!"
"Morgana, it's not about protecting you or out of some obligation to Uther that I am denying you, you genuinely would slow me down. I don't care if Arthur or Uther would kill me for letting you come. I don't want you to come because I can't be the best hunter I can be if I'm constantly worrying about you."
"Oh." Morgana's shoulders drooped and Merlin almost felt badly. Almost.
"Work on your footwork and speed and I'll consider bringing you next time."
"Really?"
"Yes, really. Now go distract Arthur so he doesn't follow me. I don't need him following me either."
Morgana nodded and perked up, happy to have a purpose.
The horse ride was rough on Merlin's newly healed body, but the spell did the trick. It was almost a shame to kill such a powerful magical being.
Merlin got off her horse when she was certain the beast was dead. She cut off one of its claws as proof of its existence and because she knew that the ground up claw had special healing powers that Gaius would appreciate.
But dawn was nearly breaking and her time was running out.
Merlin rode hard against the sunrise, the wound in her side threatening to open up again. Merlin felt a sharp pain as the once just-healed over would opened up again and blood stained her undershirt.
She threatened to barrel over the guards at the gate who refused to move out of her way, riding straight up to the stake where they were leading Lancelot by force.
Uther stood, reading off the charges laid against him. Merlin jumped off of her horse and ran to Uther who, blessedly, stood not on the balcony but on the stairs by the pyre. She wrenched the hacked off claw out of her bag and shoved it in his face, "Here! Here is proof, Lancelot saved me from a Gryphon which now lies dead in the forest. Release him."
Uther considered. He had promised her to deliver the boy if she brought him proof. And the claw which was easily three feet in diameter was certainly no sparrow claw. But still, the people wanted a show. But maybe. . .maybe he could kill two birds with one stone, so to speak.
He turned to Merlin and lowered his voice.
"I will pardon your friend on one condition."
"Name it."
"If I pardon him, you must kiss him. On the platform, in front of all of Camelot."
"Why?"
"You dare question your King? You would prefer that he die?"
She searched his face for a moment, unsure of his moments.
"You're sick." She accused.
"Is that your answer?"
"No, I'll do it. I just don't understand why you want me to."
"These people left their homes for a show and I so hate to disappoint my people."
"Fine. I'll do it. Pardon him. Now."
"You forget to whom you are speaking, you insolent girl."
"Please." She begged.
"Very well."
He turned towards the crowd and raised his voice.
"It would appear that young love prevails once again in the war against magic! An evil magical creature had convinced us of young Lancelot's guilt. Only Merlin's love allowed her to see through the trick and she has slain the monster controlling us!"
He lead the applause by clapping. Merlin looked uncertainly towards Uther. His smiled strained and he gave her a firm shove in Lancelot's direction. Taking the hint, she walked up to Lancelot whose bonds were being cut by the prison guards.
She leaned in and kissed him. Merlin almost gasped at the enthusiasm with which he returned the kiss. As his hands were freed from their bonds, he wound them around her waist and deepened the kiss.
The crowds, who had been eager for an execution, were even more pleased with the public display of affection. They went wild with applause and cheers as the pair kissed.
Merlin pulled away feeling light-headed just in time to see Arthur stomping into the castle.
She found him in his private practice room, shooting arrows at a target. He didn't turn around when she entered.
"Seems like you didn't have a problem finding a man after all." He said.
"Don't be ridiculous, Arthur."
"What? All of Camelot saw you two display your love for everyone to see. To not marry him now would dishonor you both."
"Your father demanded it."
"Excuse me?"
"It was a condition of Lancelot's pardon. He said the crowd wanted a show and wouldn't leave peacefully without one. He said I had to agree to kiss Lancelot in order for him to be pardoned."
"That's ridiculous."
"Is it? You've seen how crowds can riot."
"No it's ridiculous. Why would my father ask you to kiss him? And did he make this agreement with Lancelot beforehand, because it certainly didn't seem like the first time he had kissed you."
Merlin wanted to slap him again, but restrained herself.
"I know why you're really upset."
Arthur stopped shooting arrows and finally turned around to face her.
"You do?"
She nodded.
"I do. If I marry Lancelot, or anyone for that matter, I can't be your protector anymore. I would have to retire. Unless they were a knight or something. But you don't have to worry; I don't plan on marrying anyone. Not now, not ever. Not even Lancelot. Even though he is pretty cute."
"Merlin I was fine before you came along, I would be fine after you got married and 'retire.' But it doesn't matter anyways, you're sworn to be my Protector until you die, remember?"
He put down his bow and arrow and accompanied her out of the practice room with a lighter step.
This was becoming a pattern, Merlin realized, she and Arthur would fight and then make up and pretend nothing had happened. She wondered what would happen someday when it was impossible to keep pretending.
A/N: I'm obviously obsessed with writing this story, can't believe I've already written 22K+ words in less than a week!
Up next: Lancelot's fate and a mysterious physician come to town. Arthur ponders why he still hates Lancelot if he's innocent. Merlin ponders whether Arthur is ready to be king.
I'm going to be on the train for a while tomorrow so I expect to write another chapter and have it up sometime this weekend. For now, Merlin will continue to meet and experience some of the same things that TV series Merlin experienced as I think most of those events would still continue to happen and be relatively contained, isolated events. Eventually, though, the story will veer entirely off of the established timeline of events.
Hopefully with some of the less life-or-death situations coming up eventually (hello troll Catrina!) Merlin will get a chance to breathe and figure out a plan of her own.