Chapter 6

Merlin wanted to run but at that moment he was frozen in place. He just performed a powerful spell and everyone had seen it. There was nothing he could do, no lie that could cover up what they had all been witness to. Merlin felt his knees his the mud as his hands covered his face. He had performed his magic openly and without hesitation and all he could think of was that fact that no matter what he would do it again. He saved the village, the crops, and the people. He would take the punishment when it came, whatever it was.

He heard footsteps in the mud heading over to him and stopping right in front of him. When he finally got the nerve to look up he saw Lancelot holding his hand out to Merlin. He took it and stood up slowly.

"I won't allow anyone to hurt Merlin for saving this village" Lancelot said looking each of his fellow knights in the eyes.

Perceval was the first knight to move. He slowly walked forward with his hand on his blade. Once he reached to two men he turned around to face his other knights, wordlessly showing his support. Gwaine was the next to walk over to Merlin and join the force to protect him. Leon and Elyan walked over together, the five knights united to protect their friend, even if it was from Arthur.

"You know you are defending a sorcerer. He has broken the law of Camelot. He is to be put to death. You all could be killed for protecting him." Arthur was using his prince voice, but none of the men left Merlin.

"We are defending our friend" Gwaine said and smiled at Merlin.

"Is that the way you all feel?" Arthur asked his knights and they all nodded to him. "Good, then I think we can all agree to never speak of this once we return home." Arthur smiled at his knight, proud of their devotion.

"That's all?" Elyan asked, confused

"But Sire …" Leon felt like he should protest but not sure what to protest to.

"That's why you never said anything …" Merlin finally realized. Arthur had known for a long time about his magic and never said anything to protect him.

Arthur came storming over to Merlin, anger in his eyes again. "Yes, I was protecting you, and if you ever pull something this stupid once we get back to Camelot I might just have you hanged for being such an idiot!" Athur was angry out of worry, all the knights could see it.

"You're such a royal prat some times." Merlin smiled at him "You know how many times I have saved your life?"

"Three, today" Arthur answered without even having to think about it. "I do pay attention Merlin"

That became the end of that conversation. Everyone now knew Merlin had magic and it seemed like they were all willing to defend him. They got to work helping to fix the village and repair what they could before nightfall. The villagers were nice enough to offer their homes to them. The homes were small and only one or two men could stay at each but it was a warm and dry place to stay. Merlin was following Arthur to the home that he was going to stay in when Arthur stopped him.

"Go stay with Lancelot" he told Merlin, looking over to the home Lancelot had just entered.

"But sir, I should stay with you, I am your servant, Lancelot doesn't need me." Merlin protested, I mean how it would look if he left Arthur to his own to help out one of the knights, someone that he wasn't a servant to.

"He doesn't need you, but you want to be with him." Arthur smirked and the dumbfounded look Merlin gave him. "I told you, I do pay attention. You're not as sneaky as you thing Merlin."

Merlin blushed but half nodded half bowed to Arthur and then went off to the home Lancelot was staying in.

Lancelot was surprised when Merlin came through the door. He had a blanket laid out on the floor, refusing to take the bed from the couple that lived in the home. Merlin didn't say a word as he came to sit by Lancelot. They laid down with Lancelot's arm around Merlin and Merlin's head on his shoulder, an arm around his waist.

"Lancelot … I love you" is was just the lights whisper past Merlin's lips.

"I feel the same for you." Not a full declaration of love, but one all the same.

The slept in each other's arms that night. The first time they could before starting this trip. For the two of them, everything was right in the world.