A/N: You know what I love? The Avenue Q soundtrack. It's like, crack!fic for the ears. Huge thanks to all reviewers, especially Loopstagirl (I may or may not have had a teeny tiny fan girl attack when that email popped up, because I often have you tube videos playing in the background while I write, and they're often hers)
So, I haven't updated in awhile…but I have excuses! The school year started, and my French teacher is the essence of evil, and I take chemistry which is freaking difficult, and I have too much homework. And I sorta watched X-Men: First Class and my brain sorta collapsed from the slash (How many times did you have sex with Michael Fassbender? Four.) and Merlin was far from my mind. You have my sincerest apologies.
Disclaimer: I really don't want to own Merlin. I have this friend *cough*Sofia*cough who would insist that I tell Bradley James it was in the fine print of his contract that he be given to her, dipped in chocolate, and that might be an awkward conversation.
"I don't believe this." Arthur folded his arms and stared over the lower town. "It's just gone?"
"Apparently." Merlin said. Arthur watched the peasants celebrating, several who had previously inhabited the sick rooms among them. Such as Lancelot, who was walking along with Gwen on his arm.
"That doesn't make sense. No disease just vanishes." Arthur dragged his eyes from Lancelot and Gwen to watch a group of playing children. "It must have been magic."
"So?" Merlin was leaning over the wall too, watching the same group of children. Arthur had to hope that the idiot didn't overbalance and fall over the edge.
"If magic ended it, then it's likely that it caused the sickness as well. Someone is playing a game with us." Merlin rolled his eyes.
"Gaius and I told you, it was natural. It's winter, people get sick. They recover."
"Not that fast." Arthur tucked his jacket closer around himself. The winds that blew up here were harsh. "And you might be mistaken."
"Thanks." Merlin said dryly. Arthur ignored him.
"If it was a sorcerer, he might have wanted to divert our attention from something else." Arthur's eyes narrowed. "It might be some sort of plot."
"Yes, they caused a horrible sickness then got rid of it a few days later. What great tactics." Arthur restrained a laugh at Merlin's deadpan tone.
"Sorcerers are crafty beings. Perhaps it's part of a deeper conspiracy." Merlin breathed out hard. It made a white cloud in the air.
"Why don't you just leave it, Arthur! The disease is gone, there's no evidence at all that is was caused by anything more than winter cold, and there are more important things for you to think about than nonexistent conspiracies!" Merlin glared at him. Arthur opened his mouth to retort.
Nothing came. There were certainly other things to worry about, and if Merlin and Gaius were sure that magic was nowhere in Camelot he had no cause to doubt them without sounding like Uther. Arthur grimaced. Morgana had quarreled with his father over whether or not conspiracies actually existed many a time.
Usually, the men and women were executed anyway.
"I think you may, in a roundabout and probably unintentional way, be right." Merlin laughed. Arthur's lips twitched up.
"So you'll quit brooding out here and go inside?" Merlin shivered. "I don't know why you insist on doing all your 'thinking' right where the wind hits Camelot." Arthur frowned.
"I think all the time!" Merlin stared at him. "I do!"
"No Arthur, you're confused basic want for food with thinking. I'm not even sure your mind is capable of higher activity here-" he ducked as Arthur swatted at him. "See, you can't even aim!"
"You'll see how well I can aim at crossbow practice. This afternoon." Merlin groaned. Arthur grinned. "So you need to oil my crossbow, and tell Fenron I'm missing council." Merlin groaned louder.
"Why can't you tell him yourself?" Arthur squinted at the far gate. "And don't squint, it makes you look like Gaius."
"Merlin, Gaius and I share no resemblance. At all. And I can't tell him myself, because someone is coming into town who will want to talk with me." Merlin cocked his head. He peered in the direction Arthur was looking, wishing he could use magic. All he could make out was the red cloak of a knight.
"How can you tell?" Arthur grimaced.
"Percival is riding into town, and there's a child sitting in front of him on the horse. Nothing good ever comes of people fleeing to Camelot."
"How do you know they're fleeing?" Arthur shrugged. A lifetime of watching knights had taught him little cues that even he couldn't properly explain.
"Call it instinct. And after you tell Fenron what's happening, join me in the throne room." Merlin nodded and hurried away. Arthur sighed and went to greet Percival. He had a bad feeling about all this.
"He cannot cancel the council!" Fenron shrieked. Merlin shrugged.
"You know Arthur's crown prince, right?" Fenron glared at him. Merlin flashed him a cheerful smile. The advisor's face had turned a nice shade of purple, one the seamstresses would pay amply for. Merlin wondered if there was a way of popping his cheeks and getting it out.
"That does not mean-" Merlin interrupted him.
"Actually, it does. There's an important matter that's come to his attention." Fenron shot him a deeply hateful look at the audacity of interrupting a noble. Merlin ignored it. Arthur was in power after all, and he didn't like Fenron any more than Merlin did.
"There are other important matters. The northern chieftains are causing diplomatic problems!" Merlin shrugged. Fenron gritted his teeth. "May I inquire as to what his highness is bothering with instead of the council?"
"Someone who needs aid." Merlin began edging away. Fenron looked capable of killing someone, despite age. "He also told me to be there once I delivered the message, so I should go."
Fenron peeled his lips up in a smile. "Oh, as you wish boy. I'll send the letters from King Lot to him later."
Merlin made his escape. Apparently, now Arthur wouldn't be sleeping that night. Merlin made a note to put something slimy in Fenron's bed.
Mulling over the possibilities of magically cleaning Arthur's chambers and convincing Leon to take over knightly training for a day to let Arthur take a nap, Merlin trotted up to the throne room. The guard stepped aside automatically.
"Merlin." Arthur nodded to him. Merlin made his way to the right of the throne. Arthur's eyes were weary. "Henrietta, can you tell us what happened again?"
The girl swallowed. She was a rustic looking child, with brown hair and a dirty face. She clung to Percival's leg like it was a lifeline.
"I live on t' river Esgor, with my mother and my father and my brother. My brother and I was in the river playing, we heard screams and saw a ship coming up t' river." She recited, voice shaking. "There was big men on it. He grabbed me and we ran to the horse, who was with us cause we was going to go to the forest to check snares. He put me on it and said I had to ride south for Camelot to get help and hit the mare. She ran till I got to the edge of 't woods and dropped and I walked" she looked up at Percival adoringly "and Sir Percival found me."
Arthur and Merlin exchanged glances. Arthur sighed, and said in a gentle voice "Okay, Henrietta. Merlin here will show you to a room, and when you feel better you can tell us more about where your village is located."
Henrietta cast a terrified look at Merlin, and then switched her eyes to Percival. The knight smiled and patted her head. She gulped and looked back at Merlin. Merlin felt a stab of sympathy.
"Hello love." Merlin dropped to one knee and held out a hand, smiling. "My name's Merlin."
"I'm Henrietta, and my brother says it's because I'm a chicken." Merlin kept smiling.
"We're both birds then. I'm supposed to be a falcon, but everyone keeps calling me an odd duck." Henrietta giggled and stepped forward to take Merlin's hand. Merlin could feel Arthur's eye roll.
"My brother is too!" Merlin reached down and picked her up. She couldn't have been older than seven or eight, and was skinny. She loped an arm around his shoulders and whispered "I think the King called you strange."
"Don't worry. He's strange too." Henrietta nodded, a look of superior understanding on her face. Merlin met Arthur's eyes. The Prince was shooting him a look that suggested if he continued to tell peasantry Arthur was strange, Merlin would be beheaded. Merlin flashed him a grin.
"Can the big men get us here?" Merlin shook his head. Henrietta shivered. "Are you sure?"
"Positive." Merlin said. Arthur spoke up.
"If it would ease your mind, Henrietta, you can have the room next to mine, and as soon as I finish speaking with Sir Percival, he will stay with you." Henrietta brightened. "They'll be the safest rooms in the palace."
"Okay!" Arthur smiled slightly. Merlin grinned. He would tease Arthur about this for weeks. As he carried her past the Prince, Arthur said to him in an undertone.
"See if Gwen is available. She'll know what to do with a little girl." He paused, then added "Oh, and find her a cloak and boots. Poor girl must be freezing in this weather."
Arthur paced his chambers, glaring at the walls. If any human could destroy things by simply looking at them, he likely would have stood amidst large piles of dust. The door opened, and Arthur swung the evil gaze to Merlin.
"What's gotten you into a foul mood?" The idiot asked, idiotic voice infused with cheer. Arthur growled. "Well, I've got food."
Arthur flung himself into a chair and glared at the platter of food as Merlin put it before him. He only broke the gaze to take a swig of wine. Merlin raised his eyebrows.
"Did Lancelot or Gwaine disarm you?" Arthur sat upright.
"Do you have to keep referencing that?" Merlin grinned. "No, neither of those clearly less knightly men has gotten in a lucky shot."
"Did Gwen insult you?" Arthur scowled, his temper stirring up. Gwen, who seemed to be spending a disturbing amount of time with Lancelot, hadn't talked to him all day. Normally of course that wouldn't have bothered him, since they lived separate lives and talking to Gwen could be quite an inconvenience, but he didn't want her talking to Lancelot.
"No, and if you'd shut your yammering mouth and listen with those overly large ears, I'd tell you!" Merlin shut up, a bit of hurt flickering in his eyes. Arthur ignored the stab of guilt. "I checked over the maps for where Henrietta's village would be located."
Merlin cocked his head inquisitively. "It's over our borders."
"And?" Merlin asked. Arthur sighed. "You're still going." It wasn't phrased as a question, and Arthur felt a spot of warmth somewhere in his chest.
"Yes, but it's in Orkney. That poses…difficulties." Arthur flexed his fingers. "Orkney is the territory of King Lot."
"Fenron wanted to talk to you about him." Merlin recalled. He sat down opposite Arthur and frowned. "He seemed frantic."
"Fenron is always frantic. Orkney is…large. It takes up half our Northern border, and it sounds as if the Saxons press it." Arthur sighed. "Ancestrally, it belonged to Camelot, but when my father took the throne King Lot refused to give it up. We couldn't afford war at the time, and it's been under King Lot ever since."
"Some King. Henrietta's brother sent her south to Camelot, not to Lot." Merlin commented. Arthur shoved his plate across the table.
"True. And we cannot abandon people who need our help. But certain peoples…" Arthur shook his head in disgust.
"Fenron doesn't want you to go?" Merlin picked up Arthur's piece of bread and swabbed it through the juices still on the plate.
"He thinks sending an armed party would be viewed as a mark of war." Arthur snorted. "And Henrietta would be a hostage. How is the girl, by the way?" Merlin took a bite of bread.
"She's fine. Gwen was with her, and I think she gave her a doll. Last I saw they were giggling together." Arthur wondered if Lancelot had been there too, and if they had looked anything like parents. Merlin's voice brought him out of that uncomfortable thought. "So how did you shut Fenron up?"
"Told him I was Prince not he, and that I would send a notice to King Lot to inform him of our venture afterwards, and that he need not even notice that we entered his borders until he got the notice." Merlin cackled, sounding eerily like Morgana.
"I wish I'd seen his face! Did it turn that purple color?" Arthur grinned.
"The one where he looks like an underripe date?" They both began to laugh. Still snickering, Merlin rose and started to collect plate and glasses. "Merlin…"
"Yes?" It was on the tip of Arthur's tongue to ask if Gwen had been with Lancelot as they cared for Henrietta, if Merlin thought he was doing the right thing risking angering an extremely powerful state, and above all a thank you for not doubting him.
"Have my things prepared by tomorrow morning, and round up a few knights who would agree to come along. Try Lancelot, Gwaine, probably Percival." Arthur spoke over Merlin's sputtered protests. "Also, outfit Henrietta for traveling. We'll bring her, and she can stay with you while the actual fighting happens."
"I…d'you think I have nothing else to do?" Merlin said crossly. "Gaius will kill me if I'm up all night!"
"Good luck." Merlin glared at him.
"Fine. I'll have to find half your things from your chambers anyway, and I'll make enough of a racket that you'll be up too." He declared. Arthur rolled his eyes and made his way to bed.
"You will not make a racket while I'm in bed, Merlin." Merlin's cheeks colored. Arthur wondered if his tone had been harsh enough to bring an angry flush to his manservant's face. Just in case, he gentled it. "If Gaius is angry, tell him it was my orders.
"Sure. He can murder you instead." Merlin's voice was strained. "I'll just bring these down to the kitchen." Arthur flopped into bed as Merlin closed the door behind him. His footsteps were inaudible as soon as it snapped shut, and Arthur wondered if Merlin knew his rooms were soundproofed.
Not that it would matter to Merlin much anyway. Arthur rolled over and tried to sleep, putting the memory of Merlin's blush from his mind. Mostly.
Arthur could be absolutely obnoxious. Merlin thought to himself. Just the job of caring for Uther was full time, let alone packing bags and caring for a little girl and rounding up knights who were probably in bed by now and would be angry at Merlin for waking him up.
He grimaced and prepared for the most uncomfortable part of caring for the decrepit king.
The manservant yanked on the sheets, gritting his teeth.
Finally, the sheets loosened. He put a hand on Uther's side and rolled the man, so he could tug the soiled sheet from under the body. Merlin's nose wrinkled.
Ugh. No matter how many times he had to do this, it never got less revolting. The sheets had wet splotch in the center, and foul smelling brown sludge caked one patch. Merlin averted his face-the smell was overwhelming-and bundled the sheet to the side. He was under orders to not let anyone know that Uther's condition had so deteriorated, and that meant cleaning these things himself.
Thank all that was good for his magic. Merlin turned his face from Uther's-paranoia was always necessary, even in these cases-and his eyes flashed gold. The mess around Uther's privates cleaned itself.
Bloody Arthur. Merlin glanced around the chambers. He still had to warm the bedpan in the fire, still had to clean out under the bed, and it was cold up in these chambers. Uther had a heap of blankets, a bedpan that had by now chilled, and curtains around his bed to preserve warm air.
Merlin had a thin jacket. He swore under his breath, and decided that Uther was bloody unconscious and wouldn't notice any magic, no matter how obvious. His eyes flashed gold, and magic willingly leapt up.
The curtains were dusted, the bedpan heated, and the sheets swept themselves under Uther's bulk and tucked under the mattress. Merlin looked on with satisfaction. Gaius would just not be told he was using magic for this. He'd up all night fulfilling Arthur's bloody pratly orders anyway.
What was next? Merlin closed and locked Uther's door, then hurried down the tower stairs. Wake up cranky knights, find all of Arthur's gear and make sure it was in good condition, hopefully making as much noise as possible in the process, and somehow find a place to buy good traveling clothes for a little girl.
Merlin's lips curled up despite himself. Arthur had been wonderful to Henrietta.
Poor Arthur. Merlin knew full well that the prince was under an enormous load of pressure, and that going to help a group of people he had no obligation towards wasn't helping. He also clearly didn't get enough sleep.
Merlin decided he'd go about getting the gear quietly. Arthur didn't need his manservant adding to his stress level. Waking the prince up would just end in Merlin getting something thrown at his head, which hurt.
He turned away down to the lower town instead. He would seek out Gwaine and Lancelot, and wait until Arthur was in deeper sleep to enter the prince's chambers. Merlin wound his way through nearly deserted streets, where puddles of snow already trampled by hundreds of feet seeped into his shoes.
There was Lancelot and Gwaine's dwelling. Merlin knocked.
"Gwaine! Lancelot!" Inside the house, he heard shuffling. Merlin shivered as he waited.
"What is it Merlin?" Lancelot pulled open the door. His hair was ruffled, and he didn't look best pleased to see Merlin. He looked…guilty. Merlin peered past him into the room.
A meal was set out. Merlin was pretty sure that Gwaine and Lancelot took their meals in the tavern, like Leon. Apparently, none of them had any idea how to cook anything beyond rabbit over an open spit.
Gwen on the other hand, was an adept cook. She was sitting at the table, glaring at Merlin. The table was set only for two.
"Arthur wants volunteers for a quest, to go help a village attacked by Northern Raiders. We leave tomorrow at dawn." Merlin focused on Gwen. There were candles on the table, and she was dressed in that shawl that meant she was making an effort. Suspicions began banging around inside his skull.
"I will go." Lancelot said immediately. Merlin wasn't surprised. Lancelot always jumped at the chance to help innocent people.
"Lance!" Gwen said. She stared at him beseechingly. "We had plans."
"To do what?" Merlin asked sharply. Lancelot shifted uncomfortably. "Arthur's schedule is busy, but he could certainly clear time for you, Gwen."
"I have no doubt you know just how busy Arthur's schedule is." Gwen replied. Her tone was tart. "But as I am not privy to such intimacies, I instead am spending my time with a loyal knight."
What on earth did Gwen mean by that? Merlin could only wish he shared any sort of intimacies with Arthur.
"I'll be there." Lancelot glanced over his shoulder at Gwen, his eyes pleading. She nodded, though she cast Merlin a murderous look. "I'm glad that Arthur isn't letting innocent people be hurt."
"Well, Arthur is a very good man." Was it Merlin's imagination, or did Gwen just snort? The maid rose and gathered up her cloak.
"I'll bid you goodbye tomorrow morning, Lance." She brushed by Merlin, shooting him only an icy look. Merlin stared after her, mind racing. Lancelot moved from foot to foot.
"So, Gwen was here." Merlin commented as her footsteps faded. Lancelot sighed.
"Yes. I know it isn't the most honorable thing, but I cannot help my feelings any more than Gwen or you or Arthur. Things are as they are." Merlin blinked. Lancelot stepped inside. "Gwaine is at the tavern, if you want to recruit him."
Lancelot closed the door. Merlin stared at the wood, wondering what he should tell Arthur. Arthur loved Gwen! Anger flared. Arthur loved Gwen, and if he ever found out what she was doing it would be another burden on the prince's already overloaded back.
Merlin would just find a way to sort it out himself. Lancelot seemed guilty, but not nearly guilty enough. Merlin would never have guessed Lancelot for the type of man who would be dishonorable enough to court Gwen when he knew perfectly well that Arthur was doing just that!
And what that bit about feelings? Merlin's mind flitted over curses that he would never actually use as he entered the tavern.
"And then, just as the man finally leapt to his feet, the dog bit his arse!" Gwaine finished, waving his arms expansively. A roar of laughter from various tavern goers followed his words. Gwaine grinned at Merlin. "Merlin!"
"Telling them about the peasant who tried to drown his daughter's kitten?" Gwaine grinned and nodded. Merlin laughed. "I still say you made that up."
"Never!" Gwaine protested. He hopped off the table he'd been sitting on. "Let me buy you a pint!"
"No thanks. Grab Leon." Gwaine waved a hand and the taller knight got up from his seat and walked over. Merlin pulled them both to a more private table. At a look from Leon, the peasants drew away.
"What is it?" Leon murmured. His tone dropped automatically.
"Arthur is going into Orkney at dawn, and we need volunteers. Fighting Saxons." Merlin hissed back. Leon's brow furrowed. "It's complicated, but a village pleaded for help."
"I will come." Leon said. "The Saxons are a mighty threat."
"My apologies Merlin, but I've got an engagement tomorrow." Merlin blinked at Gwaine. Gwaine was always ready and willing to quest. "I'm afraid it's not something I can get out of."
"Oh." Merlin nodded to Leon. "Thank you for your help. We meet by the stables, at dawn." Leon glanced from Gwaine to Merlin. He got up.
"I'll be ready." Leon left. The moment he was out of earshot, Merlin turned to Gwaine.
"Did you know?" Gwaine looked at him as though he was insane. "Lancelot and Gwen."
"What about them?" The knight looked honestly confused. "I thought Gwen was with Arthur."
"So does he." Merlin said darkly. Gwaine made a small noise of understanding. "You didn't know she was dallying?"
"Of course not." Gwaine frowned. "I knew they were friends, but that's not the sort of thing I'd expect from Gwen. Or Lancelot, for that matter."
"Well, it's happening." Merlin wished he had time for a pint. "Now I have to go find Percival and Elyan. See you whenever we get back."
"Count on it." Gwaine watched Merlin leave, then turned to the bartender. "Strongest you've got, and make it a double." When the cup was put before him, he drained it.
"Mer, you look tired." Henrietta piped up. Merlin grinned down at her. She was seated on the saddle in front of him. The little girl was adorned in a warm red cloak and boots, which Merlin had scrounged up from Arthur's clothing as a child. It suited her brown hair, and Merlin was sure that she'd be rather pretty once she grew up. It was amazing what a bath and combing of the hair could do.
"I was up late." Henrietta pursed her lips.
"My mommy says that's bad unless you're married." Merlin coughed.
"Not that kind of up late." She cocked her head, sending curls across her forehead.
"It's different with another man?" Merlin choked. "Howcome the king doesn't look tired?"
"Hen, let's stop this train of thought now." Merlin just barely got the words out. Thank heaven Arthur was riding up front with Percival and couldn't hear her this. "I was up late going my duties." Hen nodded energetically. Merlin backpedaled. "I mean cleaning! And such."
"Oh." She frowned. Merlin quickly changed the topic.
"Is your village close?" Henrietta nodded. Merlin sniffed the air. He could smell smoke on the wind. Arthur turned his horse and trotted back to them.
"I think Henrietta is a better rider than you are, Merlin." Arthur said. Merlin sighed. "We're almost to the village. I want you two between Percival and Leon, behind me."
"I am capable of defending myself!" Merlin snapped. Arthur looked at the girl. Merlin remembered that while he knew that his way of defending himself didn't require arms and he could still keep her safe, Arthur didn't. He was just concerned for Henrietta, like any good man.
How had he not been enough for Gwen?
They trotted up to the village. It wasn't as bad as it could have been, though Henrietta let out a cry. The houses were smoldering, but the frames remained. Merlin could see faces peeping out from behind the wreckage.
"Mommy!" She wriggled off the horse. Merlin and Arthur both dismounted and followed her as she dashed into the ruins. "Mommy!"
"Henrietta!" A young boy of around twelve ran up to her. She flung herself into his arms. He looked up at Arthur and Merlin.
"I'm Arthur, of Camelot." He gasped.
"You came?" Arthur raised his eyebrows. "I thought Camelot might shelter her, I never dreamed someone would help us."
"Of course we came to help you." Merlin said. He stepped forward. "I'm Merlin. Where are the other villagers?"
"Not many were killed." The boy shuddered. "Most of us had the sense to run to the woods, but some of the women were taken onto the ships. Mother was one of them."
"Mommy!" Henrietta burst into fresh bawls. Arthur glared down the river.
"Did you see the ships, or where they were going?" The boy nodded.
"Seawards."
"Then they were already here." Arthur muttered. Merlin knew that look. It said that Arthur was having thoughts about treachery. It was one of those looks he tried to never be on the wrong side of.
"I bet we could catch them." Percival said. He pointed upriver. "The wind cleared a path by the river. But there's so much ice, the Saxons wouldn't have made fast progress." Arthur thought.
"If they left the camp a day ago, and we ride hard…" He nodded. "We'll have them by sunset. Merlin, stay here."
"No chance." Merlin brushed past Arthur and mounted. Arthur scowled.
"You're a useless fighter!" Arthur snapped. Merlin set his jaw, and went over all the times he'd saved Arthur with magic when Arthur was unconscious. "Fine. Get yourself killed, see if I care." Arthur mounted and signaled Sir Leon.
They galloped down the riverbank.
The Saxons had tied their ship to a tree, and camped on the snow. The last thing they expected was an attack by the best warriors in Camelot. As soon as most were asleep Arthur was on them.
Fair fights were for honorable men, who didn't attack villages of innocents.
It was a bloody battle. Leon swung his sword in silence, slicing through Saxons who were fumbling and half asleep. Lancelot moved with deadly skill, aiming his stabs at the weakest spots in Saxon armor. Percival launched himself through the ranks with all his strength, and the was only one to overwhelm Saxons with sheer brute force.
Merlin focused on Arthur. The Prince fought like a man possessed, recklessly hacking into muscle-bound men twice his size. His eyes flashed with each blow, and his battle cry alone had petrified one poor Saxon.
The moron. It took several quick spells to keep Saxons from Arthur's unprotected back. But Merlin had figured out something awhile ago.
The heart was only a moving object. Stopping it was about as hard as stopping a pail of water from hitting the ground. This was never what Merlin wanted to use his magic for, but it was brutally effective.
In the end, not one knight of Camelot was wounded. Arthur stepped onto the ship, not sheathing his sword. Lancelot nodded towards a small cabin.
"They'll be kept in there." Arthur fought back the urge to not take Lancelot's advice and kicked it open.
Lancelot was right. Around ten or twenty women and a few girls not quite old enough to be called such were huddled in the dark, and blinked up at Arthur in shock. He gazed around.
"Is one of you the mother of a young girl named Henrietta?" Merlin smiled. A woman rose to her feet, shaking. Arthur nodded to her. "You have courageous children."
"T-thank you sir…"
"Arthur, of Camelot." She stared. "Sir Percival and Sir Leon have warm cloaks for you, and the contents of the ship are yours." The line of women straggled out, accepting the cloaks handed to them by knights. Both knights had been careful to only take unbloodied clothing.
It was a long ride back to Camelot. By the time they were riding back up to the castle, it was snowing. Arthur trotted into his rooms, admitting to himself that the snow was just as pretty as Merlin insisted it was.
Come to think of it, Merlin hadn't spoken much on the return trip. Arthur supposed he was smarting over being called useless.
"Merlin, stop sulking." Arthur ordered as they entered his chambers. "I need my chain mail cleaned, there's blood on it." Arthur searched for other tasks. "Also, make sure my cloak goes to the laundresses. And clean off my boots."
Thump.
"Merlin?" Arthur turned around. Merlin wasn't on eye level. He looked down. Merlin had collapsed on the floor, his face deathly pale. "Merlin!"
A/N: I adore writing things where Merlin collapses and Arthur panics. It makes me happy. That may be why "The Poisoned Chalice" is one of my favorite episodes. But "Go faster, Arthur!" also factored in. Factored heavily.
Oh, and historic trivia/foreshadowing: Who remembers King Lot from original legends? *eyebrow waggle*