A/N: This is only half the missing scenes from this episode because the wine said to publish this bit now and anxiety said the wine was right. Also, your reviews made my heart smile. Also, there's a bit in this episode where Arthur throws a party and the next scene Lancelot and Merlin are drinking a hangover tonic, and dangit, I wanna see Drunk!Merlin. But maybe that's the wine talking too. At any rate, stay tuned for that. I love you guys.
Some Missing Scenes from Series 1, Episode 5 "Lancelot"
What led Merlin to the woods that morning.
Merlin brings an injured Lancelot to Gaius.
Merlin asks Gwen for help getting Lancelot armor.
1.
Three days. Merlin had spent three very long and very trying days in recovery after his bout with the poisonous Mortaeus flower. A recovery which mostly consisted of the frustrated warlock proclaiming he was, "Fine, Gaius. For the last time, I'm fine!" then proceeding to pass out in the most uncomplimentary of places. Gaius had already discovered his disheveled ward half dangling out his window, slumped against the door, and perhaps most alarming, dozing peaceful whilst stoking the fire. Fine was not quite the word for it. Fool-headed, on the other hand, Gaius couldn't argue.
But this morning Merlin was not awoken by tired limbs, an aching chest, or a slight sense of suffocating. This morning he felt... Merlin gasped as breath filled his lungs with no protest.
"Fantastic!" he cried leaping from bed. He stood and threw open his window, giving a little yelp of glee. He felt spry. He felt new. He felt good. He yanked on a blue tunic, fastening his neckerchief in place before waltzing into the main room.
"Merlin, my boy," Gaius said with a knowing smile. He held a bowl of simple porridge and Merlin quickly took it. His stomach angry with hunger. It was gone in four bites. Gaius held a stern look. "Well know that you've finished eating my breakfast," he said slowly and Merlin's eyes widened looking from his elder to the bowl and back, cheeks puffed with porridge. Gaius raised one eyebrow and then laughed. "It's quite alright. You're feeling well, I presume?" Merlin gulped and wiped his mouth on the sleeve of his tunic.
"Never better!" he said happily, reaching for his boots.
"And just where do you think you're going?"
"No telling how many chores Arthur will have for me. Best get an early start."
"You are relieved from Arthur's service for two days yet." The old physician gave a stern look and Merlin deflated visibly.
"Oh no. No, no, no, no," Merlin said, waving a defiant hand in the air. "I am not lying back down Gaius. Nope. No. Absolutely not." Gaius raised his eyebrow again and Merlin crossed his arms. "You can't make me."
"Is that so?" Gaius asked. The young ward huffed and sulked. Gaius noted the color in his ward's cheeks, pale but rosy. The circles were gone from his eyes. He no longer looked as though a light wind would keel him over, though perhaps a strong wind might. All the same, the physician felt confident that Merlin was indeed recovered. "No m'boy, I believe no more rest is needed." Merlin lit up.
"Don't suppose you'd be so kind as to share that sentiment with Arthur?" he said cheerfully pulling on his boots.
"I'm afraid not."
"What? And why not?"
"I must confess, I was hoping I might selfishly borrow your time today." Gaius said thoughtfully. "I've found myself a bit behind, what with everything."
And so it was that an hour later Merlin found himself wandering the woods in careful search of Lion's Mane to replenish Gaius' stores.
[Merlin is attacked by a griffin while collecting herbs. Lancelot comes to his rescue. Lancelot is injured.]
2.
"Lancelot," the dark haired man said before slumping unconscious against the log beneath which the pair hid.
"Oh. Oh, no." Merlin noticed the wound in his savior's side. It bled freely through Lancelot's tunic, staining the fabric menacingly. Merlin didn't hesitate, lifting the man's shirt and inspecting his injury. It didn't appear to worrisome, but the young warlock had to hoist his counterpart down onto his back in order to really be sure.
"Uh, right," Merlin said, pulling his thoughts together. Gaius had begun instructing him in the art of healing, but it was not a talent that came readily to the warlock. He ripped a small strip of fabric from his own shirt and held it against the puncture wound. The stream had already slowed considerably - a good sign, Merlin was sure. He held pressure for a few minutes until the bleeding had almost completely ceased. Merlin reached for his waterskin and poured it over Lancelot's skin, feeling gently around the wound with his other hand for any objects that may be stuck beneath. He found nothing. He tore another strip of fabric and tied it around Lancelot's waist, then sat back in satisfaction.
"Looks like you won't be dying today my friend," Merlin said proudly with little response from the sleeping stranger. The warlock bit his lip. "I think, that is. I need to get you to Gaius." Merlin grabbed Lancelot by the arm and, with an immense amount of effort, managed to hoist the man over his shoulder. Despite Lancelot's rather average stature, Merlin found that his new companion hid a considerable amount of muscle mass.
"Oh I'm fine," Merlin muttered to himself, taking one staggering step at a time back towards Camelot. "Perfectly fine, no need to lie down. Just fantastic." His legs shook. He stopped after a few dozen yards to lean his unused shoulder on a tree and breathe. Looking around wearily, he reached for his magic. "Fleoge," he whispered and the weight disappeared from Lancelot's body as it floated eerily above Merlin's shoulder. Merlin pulled Lancelot as close to him as he could to make the levitation look natural and continued on to the castle. When he reached the grounds, he launched into a hurried sprint, hoping to remain unseen.
From a distant window, Morgana looked down with intrigue. "Gwen?"
"Yes my lady?" Gwen asked moving towards her.
"Is that Merlin?" Gwen looked out the window to see their raven-haired friend running with a man slung over his shoulder.
"It certainly looks to be," she remarked.
"Wouldn't have thought him so able," Morgana replied with a curious look before turning back to her maid. "Now, where were we?"
[Lancelot recovers. Merlin uses magic to make a fake seal of nobility. They conspire to make Lancelot a knight.]
3.
Merlin had a plan. It was simple, but effective. Get his pseudo seal of nobility to Lancelot. Bring Lancelot to Arthur. Watch Lancelot beat the snot out of Arthur. Lancelot gets knighted, yada, yada, yada, all is right in Camelot. He smiled smugly as he walked towards Gaius' quarters. "I am good," he whispered.
"I beg your pardon?"
"Oh! Gwen! I didn't see you there," Merlin gasped, rounding a corner to come face-to-face with Morgana's maid, her hands full with several baskets. "I, uh, I was just saying that I, uh, feel good."
"To yourself?" she asked, eyeing the hallway.
"Is that so peculiar?" Guinevere laughed and gave Merlin that adorably curious look she did when his mannerisms baffled her. Her head tilted slightly, mouth open as if looking for the right words.
"Well, I'm glad for your feeling good then," Gwen said. She paused as if to say more, but gave a little look and began on her way again.
"Oh Gwen!" Merlin had a thought, glancing down at the seal of nobility.
"Yes?" she asked, a hint of excitement in her voice.
"Could I ask a favor of you?"
"Of course. What is it?" she leaned towards him.
"Well I have this friend you see." Merlin looked around for listening ears, then pulled Gwen close in the corner. She blushed but kept a straight face. "Listen, he's a good man Gwen. He saved my life this morning and all he wants is a shot a knighthood."
"Merlin, what's that in your hand?" Gwen whispered suspiciously.
"It's, uh, well it's my friend's seal of nobility... that I just made?"
"Merlin, are you insane?" Gwen's eyes went wide and she too searched the hallway for any bypassers. "You'll be thrown in the stocks for this... or worse!"
"Gwen, you don't understand. The only thing stopping Lancelot from fulfilling his life's dream is a stupid rule made by a stupid king that serves no purpose but to prevent good, honest men from protecting the realm." He took a deep breath and stood resolute. "He deserves this." Gwen considered for a moment, her head tilted down in thought.
"And the favor?"
"He has no armor. I can't rightly send him to Arthur without it." Silence fell between the pair. Guinevere sighed and shook her head in disbelief.
"I can be by at dusk to take his measurements. Father has some spare pieces, I can make them work."
"Oh thank you!" Merlin beamed, grabbing Gwen by the elbows in delight and nearly causing her to drop her baskets. "Really I mean it." Guinevere nodded and moved to walk away. She was a few steps past when she stopped and turned on the spot.
"You're right, you know," she said. "People like us, they deserve a chance."