This was written for the 'Finer Details' challenge on the Heart of Camelot website: Choose one of the Knights of Camelot and give him a unique personality quirk of your choosing.
A/N Thanks to lyricalsinger and MashFan4life for their help. Also, I like this one A LOT better than my one about Halig!
Merlin had noticed Percival's hesitation at reaching the castle entrance almost from the beginning, but had assumed that the man was just uneasy about the strange circumstances of his knighting. After all, it was to the King of a foreign – for him – realm.
The next few times Merlin had arrived with Percival, there had been so many people milling around that the warlock, and everyone else, had missed Percival's near panic at crossing the cobbled courtyard in order to reach the steps that entered into the castle.
This time there were just the two of them. Percival had escorted Merlin on his foray to the forest to replenish Gaius' medicinal herbs, and Arthur had been adamant that times were still too unsettled for the servant to go out on his own. The trip was leisurely and friendly, or at least it was until they returned to the courtyard. Merlin jumped down from his horse, only to notice that the giant knight was still mounted and staring anxiously at the ground.
"There are too many," Merlin heard him mutter. "Too many…"
When Percival finally reached the ground he seemed to forget about Merlin and, staring at the cobbling, walked on his tiptoes as quickly as he could manage until he reached the steps.
Merlin frowned and handed the reins of both horses off to a waiting stable hand before hurrying to join the knight.
"Percival," he said gently once he reached the man. "What's the matter? What was that all about?"
The large knight looked at Merlin for a moment, and the warlock almost thought the man would not answer.
"You'll think it's really stupid, Merlin…," he finally admitted. "I have this thing about stepping on the cracks…"
Merlin didn't making any judgement, so he continued, "My brother used to tell me it was unlucky and then one day I did it just to spite him. My older sister died that evening. Ever since, I avoid it. It's easy enough in the countryside, but here…," and he gestured out at the compact stones of the courtyard.
Merlin reached up and rubbed Percival's shoulder in compassion, saying, "Don't worry, I'm sure it will get easier over time."
It did of course, although Percival would never know about the fear-allaying spell Merlin had gently placed on him through that sympathetic touch.