Chapter 5

Lancelot took his time getting his armor off in the armory, knowing that Percival was always last to leave. The giant liked to say it took him so long because he was twice the man any of them were. Lancelot came up to him after everyone else had left with only one question on his mind.

"How?" he asked

"How did I know?" Percival smiled at him. "I'm your friend Lancelot. When we met you told me about Gwen and what happened with her but when doing so I noticed you mentioned Merlin about as much as you did Arthur. I figured it was because they were always together. At the castle of the ancient kings I noticed something between the two of you. Then to day with all the talking and laughing and not flinching at the mention of Gwen, I figured you finally did something."

Lancelot clasped his hand on his friends shoulder. "You know that if you tell anyone I will gut you" Lancelot's voice sounded serious with just a hint of humor at the end.

"You would have to best me first." Percival smiled at his friend and knew he would not breathe a word of this to anyone.

The next few weeks seemed to fly by. Every night Lancelot would come to Merlin's room to talk with his friend about the day. They spent hours making fun of Arthur and the knights, talking about Uther's condition, the new treatments and spells Merlin was learning. Lancelot had no issue with Merlin's use of magic and often Arthur's clothes were washing themselves during his talks with Lancelot. It seemed so natural for him to lay in the knight's arms and talk until they fell to sleep. Even Gaius seemed to approve of their relationship, having an extra bowl for Lancelot in the mornings during breakfast. It was as if nothing had changed between the two men, but like everything had changed all at the same time.

They would often share kisses while safe in Gaius' chambers or when alone in the armory where no one could see them. Arthur never brought up the fact the Merlin had magic and was very busy seeing to the king's duties.

One day Arthur found out about a few outlying villages that were being attacked by bandits and he was excited. Finally a reason for him to get out of Camelot, a reason to ignore all the duties that were placed on him while his father was ill, a reason to be just a knight.

Arthur had his men ready to set out in the morning. It was unknown how many men they would be facing so he brought along, Lancelot, Gwaine, Leon, Percival, Elyan, and Merlin. It was a three day ride to the villages affected so they were all ready to leave at first light.

The first two days passed in relative ease. The knights joked with each other, at one point chucking fruit from a tree they passed at Arthur and Merlin then acting innocent when the two turned around. It was a relaxing journey and all involved enjoyed the time away from the castle. At night the men would tease Merlin, giving his a huge list of chores before he could even eat, but somehow half the chores were done for him and he would get his hot meal. He knew the knights saw him as a brother and helped when he wasn't looking. Lancelot would always wake Merlin during his watch and the two would sit together in mostly silence, just comfortable to be together.

They reached the village about mid-day the third day to find the bandits already attacking. Without and hesitation the knights spurred their horses into the village to take on the bandits. Although they were outnumbered they had the surprise advantage. Merlin tried to stay hidden and protect all the men. He would use his magic to make arrows and swords just miss the intended targets. A few times Merlin was forced to use his magic to push men away from Arthur's back. As good of a fighter as the Prince was, he never watched behind him.

The Bandits discerned they were losing and is a last act of revenge started setting fire to the village homes. Arthur was locked in battle with the apparent leader of the group. Merlin heard screaming coming from a home engulfed in flames. Merlin didn't see any other choice but to use his magic to save whoever was within that home. He stood from his hiding place and called upon the power inside him, shouting out the incantation clouds formed above the village and rain started to pour. The fires around the village started to go out from the unrelenting rain. When Merlin looked out we was met by four pairs of shocked eyes, a terrified Lancelot and a pissed off Prince.