Getting out of the castle was a great idea and it did wonders for Merlin's mood, even if it was for hunting. However after a full day of running and riding the youngest prince found himself completely exhausted which is why he found the sight of a tavern such an inviting sight.
"You know what you need after a good days hunting Merlin?" Arthur asked
"Sleep" Came the tired princes reply
"No, a nice cold hard tankard of mead" Arthur grinned, riding down to the tavern.
"Mead..." Merlin moaned, he much preferred cider to mead but he was too tired to complain. As they rode up to the hitching post Arthur stopped him.
"Lets have some fun here" He grinned, "We wont mention who we are, its a great way to see how the people are feeling, a way you're very fond of"
"How did you know I do that?" Merlin gaped at him, Arthur just gave him a grin, he was so infuriating sometimes. The smell of alcohol was strong inside the small wooden structure as was the loud talking. People didn't pay the simple travelers a glance as they sat down at the end of a long bench.
"Afternoon!" Greeted a frizzy haired barmaid as she scrubbed the table down, "What'll it be?"
"Uh..." Arthur faltered, forcing a smile across Merlin's face as he watched his brother try and remember peasant drinks and their names.
"Hmmm, your a fellow" The barmaid smiled
"Wouldn't be the first to think so" Arthur smiled in reply
"Oh, no sorry" The woman laughed, "I was talking about your friend here"
Merlin looked up in surprise, grinning at Arthur's embarrassed face. It was very rare thr word handsome was used on him, he usually got cute much to Arthur's enjoyment.
"Thankyou" He smiled
"Two tankards of mead please" Arthur cut in dejectedly, the barmaid nodded and headed off to collect the order. Shooting Merlin a look that could only be considered jealous.
Merlin had been about to tease his arrogance when the door opened and the entire bar went silent. A gruff, dirty man entered and walked up to the bar, the silence was filled with tension.
"Afternoon Mary!" The man sneered at the barmaid who had served the princes earlier, "Bussiness looks good"
"We have our better days" The woman sighed
"Then you wont begrudge me my share then?" The man smiled, slamming a knife on the table. The woman tossed a few coins onto the table calmly.
"And the rest?"
"That's all we got"
"I won't ask again!" The man snarled grabbing the front of her frock
"Take your hands, off her" Arthur ordered calmly, the mans reply was a failed hit to the face which Arthur quickly deflected and sent the man sprawling. Merlin sipped his mead calmly.
"I'm gonna make you pay for that" The man threatened making Merlin laugh.
"I'd like to see you try!" He giggled, which resulted in the man whistling, and several well muscled and armed men entering the tavern.
"You had to open your big mouth, didn't you brother" Arthur groaned
"You two have gotten yourselves into a bit of a pickle" A man noted walking up to the leader, taking a swig from his tankard.
"I agree" Said the second man from behind
"You should get out of here while you have the chance" Arthur warned
"Your probably right" the first man sighed, finishing his mead and handing the cup to the bandits leader with a grin, then punching him in the face. Well that's all it took soon the whole bar was wrestling and turning tables. Merlin did his best to dodge most attacks, he was awfiul at hand to hand combat, Arthur tackled the leader, resulting in a dazing pinch to the face.
"Arthur!" Merlin called, trying to get through the crowd to help him, unfortunatly he was blocked by yet another thug.
"Merlin!" Arthur called from where he was pinned to the table, "Behind you!"
Quickly ducking before asking questions he felt something pass dangeruously close to his head, it turned out to be a chair which smashed against the wall.
"Ætslide bencþel!" Merlin whispered under his breath, sending a bench flying across the room effectively knocking out two of the bandits. Quickly he slid under the bar, running into the second man from before.
"Great minds think alike" The man chuckled, handing him a jar of pickled eggs and indicating to the bandits standing above them, Merlin got the idea, bringing the jar down on the bandits head.
"Merlin" He panted catching his breath.
"Lancelot" Lancelot grinned before ducking as a chair flew past. While his new ally ducked Merlin quickly sent several plates flying with his mind, barely missing Lancelot's friend who had just knocked a man to the ground and was now casually drinking out of a discarded bottle.
"What'd they call you then?" Lancelot's friend panted
"Merlin" Merlin replied feeling a little nervous at how calm, this man was in a bar fight, unlike his friend.
"Gwaine" He introduced shaking the princes hand before turning and smashing a tankard of mead over a mans head, "Such a waste"
Merlin quickly leapt over the bar, Lancelot in tow and did his best to fidn Arthur in the scuffle, horrified to see the leader now pulling out a knife, ready to stab him. The young prince had been about to jump out to protect his brother when it seems Gwaine had the same idea, knife sinking itself in his leg.
Arthur and Merlin stood there in shock as Gwaine tried to stand, before falling and hitting his head on one of the benches. Lancelot ran to his friends side checking the wound.
"How is he?" Arthur asked hurriedly
"Not good" Lancelot frowned, "He's loosing a lot of blood"
"We'll take him with us to see Gaius" Merlin offered helping Lancelot carry the injured man out, "He's a physician friend of ours"
Lancelot nodded in thanks, carfully they loaded Gwaine onto Arthur's horse before mounting it himself. The trio stood infront of the villagers and watched them throw fruit at the leader of the group, who was now safetly stored in the stocks.
"If this man ever bothers you again, word is to be sent to Camelot" Arthur ordered, "Soilders will be here within a day"
"How can you make a promise like that?" Asked Mary as Arthur rode away with Lancelot and Gwaine in tow, leaving Merlin to explain.
"Because we're the kings sons, Prince Arthur and Prince Merlin" He smiled, before riding off after Arthur and Lancelot's horses. He could just hear the bar maid exclaiming with joy.
"The princes! Merlin and Arthur in my tavern!"
HEY HEY!
People have been asking me how I know how old Merlin is so here is what I think.
In season 4 the opening changes to "Young Man" from "Young boy". Since we known people come of age in Camelot at 21 this makes Merlin 18 when he first arrives in Camelot and he comes of age between seasons 3 and 4.