Disclaimer: I don't own merlin and all that crap.

I am seriously kicking myself, I didn't write this chapter until TODAY!

Less than an hour and a half before Doctor Who came on whilst I was exhausted and in the middle of baby-sitting my troublesome and strangely occasionally violent young cousin I thought, well, actually said "Oh, crap!" My sister was like "What?" Then it was an extra lifetime before i subdued my cuz and his bro and then da comp was being dead! And task manager was all "Not responding" and I was pretty close to crying (but spider solitaire calmed me down - until I lost, seriously, no moves left!)

Please read it.

Chapter 6

Merlin grinned.

They were heading back to Camelot earlier than planned, hell, earlier than ever before.

Arthur had planned a two day trip, it was rarely done but the prince had felt it was worth it to "be able to keep an eye on your idiotic seductress-marked arse."

That was before Merlin pointed out his lacking observational skills and clearly stated that the mark was located elsewhere. The sorcerer went on to suggest Arthur brush up on this and other skills such as "how not to be a prat" before he inherited the throne.

Then Merlin had got a face full of dust and a view of the backend of Arthur's now mounted and trotting horse.

He didn't mind though. Arthur was riding next to and slightly in front of his walking manservant who could, of consequence, hear clearly certain mutterings spewing from the man beside him.

Words such as 'stupid', 'pointy', 'stick', 'Merlin', 'seductress' and funnily enough 'Tullus' and 'overly-friendly-back-stabbing-knights' came often and with certain emphasis.

Merlin grinned and looked over to Sir Bedivere who amusedly raised an eyebrow. He then glanced at Erec Wow, I'm on first name terms with a knight! Who was frowning at Bedivere's back before he caught sight of Merlin and beamed, well, as close as he would get to beaming anyway.

"Do you need something?" he inquired, beginning to take off the sorcerer's bag.

"No," said Merlin" but are you sure I shouldn't carry it."

"Yes, I am sure." It was obvious to everyone that Erec was rather fed up of explaining himself and in preparation had begun to use increasingly shorter responses.

"Sorry."

"It's alright." The knight walked out of the loose formation to stand nearer Merlin, he was sure Arthur wouldn't notice a thing at this point.

Merlin blushed, remembering the the mornings transitions, first an orchestrated dream where strong arms surrounded him, supporting him. Then came a slow, barely noticed awakening where the pale hair and white snow dimmed to the black behind his eyes but the firm, gentle hold persisted. Then the uncomfortable feeling you get from sleeping in all your clothes and the realisation that he was lying down, hadn't he just been standing? On crisp snow at that.

Soon enough the bright light was registered, a smug voice, quiet but close by and Merlin opened his eyes to a silhouette. Amongst the other feelings the black-haired servant felt was a certain thankfulness that he had opened his eyes just at Sir Erec blocked the light.

This particular feeling was rather insignificant even if it wasn't in light of a flurry of other, stronger ones. It was, however, rather less embarrassing to focus on. Especially as some of these feelings arouse from the dream he had been enjoying.

The enjoyment that had been rather effectively prolonged by Sir Erec's presence and touch which lead to more unfortunate blush-inducing thoughts such as I wonder if all my mornings would be this nice if I woke up to him in my bed.

A touch to his arm snapped him out of his thoughts. "Oh, erm, Sir Er- I mean Erec, what is it?"

Said man chuckled and motioned towards Arthur who was glaring at Erec's hand which had migrated from just above Merlin's elbow to hold his wrist.

Merlin stuttered and blushed when he noticed and pulled out his grasp to await orders.

"Fetch water."

"Oka- wait, what?"

"Fetch water, Merlin."

"But, we have loads!"

Arthur just glared at the servant until he, for once, backed down with no further argument. He waited for him to walk away and disappear through the trees before turning to address his men.

Merlin returned sheepishly, having walked all the way to a find a stream before realising he hadn't collected a container. He stood on the path looking curiously at the knights. They seemed rather subdued, chastised almost, slightly sheepish and vaguely uncomfortable. Some of them even squirmed. He walked to an empty container which lay on its side, he was sure it had been full when they left but never mind, he must be mistaken.

Merlin turned, his hands now full, back towards the forest and the hidden stream, if he noticed a rather more-smug-than-usual expression on his masters face an outsider couldn't have caught a reaction.

-oOo-

Arthur smirked, guiding his horse closer towards the gates to Camelot. His gut twinged, damn stick!

Arthur grimaced and mentally cursed, it was only a tiny little injury caused by a stick of all things and they were going back early, dammit! When did this turn into a democracy.

Well, soon enough they were all going to see how non-affected he was. Even the stupid nurse/manservant. Arthur wondered every day if the 'man' part should even be there any more. Well he didn't really but he needed to brush up his quick retorts so that he could win a greater proportion of his verbal spars with Merlin, it was funny but unsporting to use rank.

Arthur stopped and turned his horse without warning close to the edge of the forest but out of earshot of the knights guarding the entrance.

He nodded, quite pleased that everyone had stopped in time and in near enough unison, except Merlin, he would ignore it for now. He would also ignore the way the newbie's hand flew to tug him back and how he didn't let go afterwards.

He would ignore how he could feel his eyes narrowing anyway and that even with the sudden tunnel vision like focus on the entwined hands he could sense the other knights, especially Bedivere glancing between his new and old friend with a look of concern.

Then Arthur let it go. He was the best swordsman in Camelot, crown prince and a disciplined level headed honorary council member after all.

The knights relaxed.

Then tensed.

Merlin gasped. A training session! Now! One-on-one against Arthur!

Then he noticed the triumphant gaze sent his way and scowled.

"Prat!"

Several knights turned in shock. Then in fright at the blond.

"Idiot." He drawled calmly, he looked amusedly at the man in front of him, three hands clasped over his mouth and the entirety of his large ears and his visible face flushed bright red, his blue eyes wide.

Wait, three hands?

Then Arthur almost burst out laughing. Sir Erec looked rather disgruntled and just a little in pain as his left hand was crushed in Merlin's grip.

"Come on."

Arthur turned, suddenly rather excited, this would be fun.

-oOo-

Merlin watched the horse get further away from him for the second time in two days. He did register that the knights stayed with him though, that was nice.

"-on now Merlin, come on, I do believe Sir Erec would be awfully grateful if you released him."

He felt gentle hands at his own, lifting them from his face and revealing that, yes, the rest of his face indeed matched the red hue of his ears.

The warm, calloused hands separated and unclenched his own, he felt a quick sliding motion and registered a sudden absence and identified it.

"Oh, I'm sorry! I didn't realise, I mean I, er-"

"It's okay, Merlin."

It was Bedivere, who had set himself to rubbing Merlin's hands between his own who answered.

"Or, at least it ought to be, anyone would forgive you anything after what you said to Arthur."

The Knight's snickered and they resumed their walk to Camelot. Merlin felt rather relaxed, he could almost feel this was a simple walk amongst friends.

-oOo-

"Oh!" Merlin winced in sympathy as a second knight fell under the harsh blows dealt by the golden haired whirlwind in the training grounds. As he limped over Merlin handed him a goblet of watered wine. It was supposed to be just water but Merlin thought they deserved better, and anyway, what Arthur didn't know couldn't hurt him.

Or, more accurately, me.

"Thanks, Merlin."

"No problem, sir."

"Just Gawain, please. Anyway, do ever get tired of this?"

"What?"

"Well, you know, serving people."

Merlin shrugged "It's my job, or rather just deserts - I mean, honour and privilege, of course." He quickly amended when he remembered who he was talking to.

"It's okay, speak freely, we're your friends," the knight smiled "Are you referring to how this is your reward from the king for saving Arthur."

"Yeah, but it okay, Gawain." Merlin paused then smiled at the name "Do you ever get tired of this? You know, the saving people thing?"

He chuckled "Well, it's my j- Merlin?"

"Ahh, I'm okay, maybe a stitch or something."

Merlin brushed off the sudden burning, he knew what it was, it was familiar although still new and usually confined to dreams or their aftermath.

All the knights who weren't fighting gathered around to express concern.

"Are you sure we shouldn't fetch the physician?" "Make sure he checks you when you take Arthur." "Please sit down." "Don't strain yourself." "Are you okay!"

He blushed at the attention and not one of them didn't find it cute in one way or another.

"I'm fine, really." He emphasised when he was pushed into a sitting position and presented with an expensive-looking goblet filled with the same jug he had just been serving.

-oOo-

Arthur looked up from his sword which was held where the throat of his latest victim had been seconds before the man's hurried departure. No one had come but he knew he hadn't fought them all yet.

His mouth was opened to call another knight forward but the sound died in his throat when he caught sight of them.

Merlin. Laughing. Seated in the midst of most of his knights, a silver goblet clutched in his hand, it was in danger of spilling. One of the knights moved his hand from Merlin's shoulder to take it from him. They all laughed when Merlin, surprised, knocked the cup and its contents emptied all over Gawain who mock glared whilst everyone else near collapsed at the apologies and promises which tripped over themselves to escape the pale man.

"MERLIN!"

It's extra long but whether that's a benefit or not I don't know, also I didn't like my old (about 15mins old) ending so I deleted it, unfortunately this means I don't have a relevent made up word for my chapter name. I feel so stupid, sorry, i know there are some bad patches in that chapter, some bits over explained and some bits needing explanation. It has no editing and I also forgot the spell/grammer check. Bare with me, I am so so so sorry, you wouldn't even believe it.

On the plus side I got an A in my English Literature Mock Exam.

Review (I'm not begging for those this week, just forgiveness)