A/N:

This one is for an anonymous guest, who has requested a not so powerless Merlin...so this one will feature Whump!Arthur and BAMF!Merlin

This is in the same universe as the previous chapter – so Merlin has had his training with Gwaine...

I don't own Merlin

CHARACTERS: Merlin & Arthur

RATED: T

GENRE: Hurt/Comfort & Friendship

Arthur gets injured by bandits and Merlin doesn't like it...

THE ADVENTURES OF MERLIN

The Kings Protector

The patrol ended as every other had in their vast experience – badly. Separated from the Knights, Arthur and Merlin raced through the trees, branches scratching and bruising as they whipped exposed skin.

Despite his recent bout of rigorous training, Merlin felt his calf muscles burning with exertion, sweat dripping from his brow as adrenaline pumped through his system.

He and Arthur were neck and neck, weaving through the woods and leaping over logs, aware of the battle cries that indicated the bandits were gaining on them. They exchanged a quick glance, blue eyes conveying their mild panic as the thundering footfalls of their pursuers grew louder.

'We should split up,' Arthur panted heavily, his chainmail hanging heavy upon his broad frame and slowing him down. 'It may confuse them.'

The young manservant fixed him with a surly glare and shook his head. 'I don't think so sire...I'm not leaving you to be knocked around by those guys,' he responded.

The King rolled his eyes, feigning frustration, but the small smile tugging at his lips told Merlin that his friend was grateful for the company.

'Besides,' Merlin continued, flashing him a wild grin, 'I am not as much of a helpless, bumbling idiot as I used to be.'

He patted the sword that was sheathed at his slim hip – a gift that was commissioned by Arthur himself and forged by Sir Elyan several weeks ago.

Such a beautiful weapon it was too – with perfect balance and a sharp blade, it had become a part of him...and he was almost excited that he may get to use it for the first time.

However, Merlin's excitement was short lived, as was usually the way of things, when a pained grunt brought his mind back to the present.

Looking back, his cobalt orbs widened and he skidded to a stop, almost losing his balance and toppling over a fallen tree.

Arthur was lying face down in the dirt, blood dribbling from somewhere beneath his hair – but Merlin's eyes where quickly drawn towards the shaft of a crossbow bolt, protruding grotesquely from the King's back.

'No...' he muttered as the bandits began to slow, circling the young man with their weapons drawn. 'NO!'

With renewed energy, Merlin dashed towards his fallen friend, unsheathing his sword as he skidded the last few yards on his knees.

The lead bandit stepped forth, a sick grin upon his scarred face. 'What do you think yer up to little whelp? Yer no match for us – just be on yer way while we deal with yer master...consider it yer freedom!'

Merlin narrowed his eyes and shielded Arthur's body with his own – his grip tightening upon his sword.

'You stay away from him.' The youth growled, anger boiling his blood as the men stepped closer. 'I'm warning you – turn around and walk away.'

The bandits laughed coldly, their weapons glinting in the sunlight. 'Or what? Yer nothing but a servant! You wouldn't know which end of that sword went where!'

Merlin sneered and climbed to his feet, automatically falling into a defensive stance.

'Oh I have a few idea's of where to put the pointy end, but I don't think you'd be too fond of any of them.' He retorted, twirling the weapon with a deft flick of his wrist.

The grins dropped from the bandit's faces at the threat and they advanced; ten bandits against the King's gangly manservant. They thought they had good odds.

Merlin knew otherwise.

'One last chance...leave or die.' The youth snarled, his heart pounding in fear.

They showed no sign of retreating, and Merlin shrugged. He had given them a choice. He'd given them several warnings. What they weren't aware of, was Merlin's fierce and unyielding loyalty towards his King and friend. Nobody would harm him and live to tell the tale...Merlin would die before that happened.

So with a mighty roar, Merlin charged – head bowed and shoulders forward, watching the bandit carefully as he approached with speed. The intention was clear, and that was what Merlin was waiting for. At the last minute, as the leader leant down to grab him, he dove to the side and rolled into his landing, finding his feet quickly and slashing his sword across the bandits back.

The man cried out in pain and turned quite quickly for a man of his build, murder written in his features.

Merlin gave him a cheeky smile and shrugged. 'Lucky me!'

The man lashed out clumsily with his broadsword, but Merlin dodged easily, managing to impale another bandit who was creeping up behind him.

'You will pay for your insolence with your life!'

Ducking and weaving, Merlin eluded his attackers. While they were more experienced with their weapons, he still had several advantages.

The first, obviously, was his magic, which he used silently – heating up swords and dropping tree boughs upon the sneaky ones. The second; was that his friend was hurt and he was furious. Rage simmered beneath his skin, and it fuelled him as he continued to evade and attack – the intense adrenaline rush helping to numb the pain from the hits he had taken.

Using his lean and wiry build, he managed to avoid a hit that would have opened a nasty gash across his chest, and using the momentum of his graceful turn, he drove his sword through the leader, killing him instantly.

Those left standing stared at the wild eyed boy, who stood tall in the middle of the carnage, his chest heaving as he wiped his bloody sword against his breeches.

'Are we done here?' He asked casually, tearing the hem from his tunic to wrap around a jagged wound that marred his forearm. Merlin pulled the material tight without a wince and sheathed his sword.

The remaining bandits fled.

The young man sighed wearily, running a trembling hand through sweat soaked locks as he knelt by Arthur.

And laughed in relief.

The crossbow was imbedded in the Kings armour, but it had not pierced his flesh.

The daft clotpole had knocked himself out on a rock as the impact against his armour sent him sprawling.

Merlin carefully removed the arrow (he would be the one to repair the armour after all) and rolled the King over, pleased to see a pair of cerulean eyes blinking owlishly at him.

'Merlin? W-what happened?' He asked softly, bringing a hand up to his brow, winching as his fingers brushed the wound.

'You knocked yourself out,' he replied with a grin, waving the bolt in front of Arthur's face 'I thought they got you.'

The King frowned and looked around, noticing the bodies littered around the clearing. His eyes widened.

'You didn't...' he said disbelievingly.

Merlin's grin widened. 'I did.'

'How...why?'

That was when the smile faltered and Merlin exhaled shakily. 'I was angry...furious, in fact. I thought they had hurt you and...and I made them pay.' He replied quietly, looking away in shame. He had just killed all these men. All because he was angry.

'Hey,' Arthur said gently, sitting up and gripping his shoulder. 'Thank you Merlin...for your loyalty and your friendship. I grew up to be a very different man because of you and for that – I am grateful. Now come on, you idiot – you're bleeding all over me, Gaius needs to give us both a once over, and you...' The King crinkled his nose in disgust. 'You really need a bath...you smell like a dead wilddeoren.'

Merlin nodded and stood, swaying on his feet as the exhaustion of his battle finally caught up with him. He cradled his bloody arm to his chest and took a deep breath as a wave of dizziness washed over him.

'Merlin?' Arthur implored softly, gripping his bicep. 'Are you ok?'

Breathe...breathe...he ordered himself as he closed his eyes. He was about to nod and tell Arthur that he was fine, but he really wasn't.

He had just killed seven men, not with his magic, but with a blade. His arm was bleeding profusely and he didn't get a chance to eat that morning...he was decidedly not ok.

Merlin didn't even feel Arthur catch him as he pitched forward into darkness.

*~*M*~*

When Merlin opened his eyes sometime later, he found that he was shrouded by Camelot red – lying at the base of an enormous tree with his pack as a pillow. A fire warmed the quiet clearing, warding off the darkness of the night.

'Arthur?' He croaked, his eyes searching the trees for his friend – panic rising slightly when there was no immediate sight of him.

'Ah, finally awake – here, drink.' Arthur ordered, coming into view with his water skin unstoppered.

Merlin gulped the fresh water greedily, grateful for the coolness in his throat.

'How's the head?' Merlin asked - his voice less raspy now. 'You hit it on a rock.'

The King smiled and handed him a roughly hewn bowl filled with a delicious smelling stew. 'I'll live – I was a little more concerned about you.' He admitted as he watched his slim manservant wolf down the food.

The dark haired youth shrugged. 'I guess I was just tired...perhaps I got hurt more than I realised – I was a little preoccupied at the time.' Merlin replied, setting the bowl aside once he ate his fill.

Arthur's face morphed into a more serious expression as he tucked his cloak tighter around Merlin, studiously ignoring the fact that the boy was grinning inanely at his ministrations.

'One may think that you cared, should they arrive right now.' Merlin said cheekily.

The King avoided his gaze as he stopped what he was doing and sat beside the youth. 'You were hurt more than you realised, you idiot. It took forever to slow the bleeding. One of the bandits got you under the ribs with a dagger.'

Merlin frowned. Surely he would remember the pain of being stabbed?

'You're sure?' He asked stupidly.

Arthur glared at him. 'Yes, I'm sure Merlin...I cleaned and wrapped it after all.'

'I'm alive though – so that's an upside.' The youth replied, his eyes drooping with exhaustion.

'You should have run...you shouldn't have fought. Yes, you are no longer useless, but...you could have been killed Merlin, and I don't-' Arthur's breath hitched and Merlin turned to him, shocked to see tears in the King's cerulean eyes. 'My pride can no longer hinder my true feelings – we are grown men Merlin, and I have never had a friend for whom I would willingly give up my life and kill for, until you came along. If I lost you...'

Arthur trailed off and looked away, oblivious to the soft smile on Merlin's lips.

'You know I feel the same, Arthur – which is why I fought for you...' the young man said through a yawn before allowing his eyes to close. 'I am happy to be your servant until the day I die.'

The king looked back towards Merlin and sighed at his reckless loyalty. Twining his hand through Merlin's raven mop, he too closed his eyes.

'I know, old friend...I know.'

I hope the ending wasn't too fluffy...there weren't enough of these moments in the series and we all love them! Next one goes too Dark Angel64 – who has requested another "what if" to Aithusa...What if Arthur followed Merlin out to the clearing and sees the dragon hatch? I haven't been well and reviews make me feel better...hint hint