This chapter was not part of the planned story; it's just kind of a cute interlude that came to me yesterday. I could actually conclude it here as well but I want the actual last chapter in. And since people like them, my five OC knights are going to get their own story over this. And probably used in every story where I need knights...

I think they have earned it.

Arthur stepped into his tent, after reporting to his father. They had encountered some mythical creatures, fought their way out and found a natural fissure in the rock that they cracked open to exude the hot lava. It sounded perfectly sensible to Arthur. His father took it as the same. None of the others had said a word, but Arthur had seen their eyes darting about. He had held his breath until his father had dismissed him, and nobody spoke further.

Merlin was fussing around the tent, straightening things that were already straight, tidying things that were tidy. It actually looked pretty good for Merlin's usual standard, but he had nothing else to do for the last half an hour and he probably didn't want to think too much about what might be happening.

As Arthur came in, pulling off his gauntlets, he was the next recipient of Merlin's fussing. He started to unbuckle the armour, lifting it clear of Arthur and laying it out.

"That will need to be cleaned," Arthur said.

"Yes, Sire."

Merlin came back to help him with the chain mail. He got Arthur out of it and hefted it over his arm before turning to lay it out carefully.

"I'm sorry," Arthur said. Merlin spun round, coming back automatically to help remove the padding and shirt underneath.

"What for?"

"Putting you in this position, I know you didn't want to."

Merlin discarded the shirt and went to pour some water in a bowl for Arthur to wash in. Arthur followed him, standing behind him. Merlin looked down into the bowl of water, staring at his own reflection.

"I'm your servant, I do as you command."

Arthur winced, and he moved to stand at Merlin's side, which made Merlin turn his head to look at him.

"I know, but was it just that?" Arthur asked. Merlin blinked and shook his head.

"No," Merlin said. "I would have gone with whatever you thought of, and done my best around it. At least this way no one died."

"I'm glad of that," Arthur said. Merlin stepped aside, handing Arthur a cloth and the prince started to wash his face and upper body. Merlin went back to tidying up and getting another shirt for Arthur.

"At least not yet," Merlin said, coming back to Arthur. Arthur turned on him.

"They will stay by their vow."

Merlin nodded, he didn't want to shatter Arthur's perception of his knights. Arthur was, in Merlin's mind, a very big exception to the rule. He concentrated on getting Arthur dressed and he was straightening Arthur up when the prince suddenly said.

"You scared me."

Merlin paused. "Did I? Why?" Lacing Arthur's cuffs suddenly became very interesting.

"Merlin, I could see you, feel the power, and that look on your face. I can see why so many sorcerers are as I have seen them."

"It's not as simple as that. I'll get you something to eat and then start on the armour," Merlin said. He tried to walk away but Arthur lashed out and grabbed his arm, pulling him back. Merlin didn't fight the grip. It was an understanding that had developed between them without being spoken about. Instead he waited while Arthur thought of what he wanted to say.

"I don't want you to become like that."

"I won't."

"It must happen somehow, they attack Camelot often enough, although we probably are its biggest enemy and my father most especially."

"And that's why that won't happen to me; their easiest target is you, to destroy both those things. I won't let that happen."

"What about me?"

Merlin looked up and smiled, Arthur really, didn't always see it.

"You're Uther's son, he loves you, kill you and they will destroy him, and Camelot won't survive that, if it loses you."

"I'm his heir, I'm not sure he thinks much beyond that."

"Yes, he does, I'm sure of it. I wouldn't save his life if I wasn't," Merlin said. Arthur blinked.

"Wouldn't it be easier if you didn't save him?"

"Probably, but you don't want that, neither do I really. He's not evil, he's just stuck in a very fixed idea, and nothing will change that now."

"Not even me?"

"He loves you, but no," Merlin said with a smirk.

"And I think Camelot is quite capable of living without me," Arthur said.

"No it's not," Merlin snapped, in such an offended tone that Arthur let him go. "You're the heir to the throne and you are going to be a damn good king let me tell you. There is no way we can afford to lose you and unfortunately a lot of people know that. So, that's where I come in. I'll get you some dinner, you haven't eaten all day!"

Merlin spun on his heel and stalked off out of the tent. Arthur gawped at him in shock and the rippling tent flaps. Merlin's head came back in.

"Pratt!"

Arthur watched the head disappear again and then snorted with laughter. The tension in him eased over Merlin and he sat down, planning to look at the scrolls that they needed to view before the meeting with Bayard.

Merlin didn't relax. He walked tensely through the camp expecting to be grabbed at any second. Nothing was forthcoming as he reached the supply tent and rummaged for something that Arthur would eat. He could be picky when he was in a grumpy mood. He gathered what he needed and turned, almost running into someone in his usual way.

"Sorry, Sir Leon, sorry!" Merlin yelped. Leon glared at him.

"What are you doing?"

"Getting Arthur something to eat," Merlin said eyes wide, Leon glared down at him and then swept on his way. Merlin exhaled and hurried on his own way, getting back to Arthur. He had the armour to clean, then if he had enough time he could go and wash a few things in the stream, including himself.

He went back to Arthur's tent undisturbed, and his mind settled.

"Merlin! What about my horses?" Arthur turned on him the second Merlin stepped into the tent, and he grinned to himself.

It might be something Arthur worried about, but Arthur himself stopped it happening. Merlin might cheat a little on occasion, when he needed to polish armour and clean horses at the same time, but he did the chores because they were normal and settling, and Arthur bullied him with utter ease even knowing what he was, and what he could do. The same as Merlin could be utterly rude to him, knowing Arthur was a prince and could have him executed for it.

"I'll do them now, Sire."

"Have something to eat yourself before you faint," Arthur snapped at him. Merlin swiped a chunk of cheese and wandered off to find Arthur's horses.

Merlin had to admit. They were very well suited.