A Marriage that Started a Legend

by IJustShowedUp

Follows canon but with my own arranged marriage spin on it. What happens when Hunith makes a mistake and is forced on the run with her infant son? What happens when Camelot knights find her twenty years later? What happens when Arthur learns he's betrothed to a peasant boy? Will Merlin be able to stand among royalty? Will these two different boys survive each other? Review!

171. Chapter 173

This chapter is dedicated to Aleena18, who wanted to see Merlin stopping Arthur on a rampage in front of the people, helping with his reputation. So I hope they liked how I went about it ;p

X

Arthur Pendragon felt as if he had lost all sense of self control, there wasn't any other way to explain this rushing mountain of anger that had overtaken him. Nothing was going to get in his way, and nothing was going to stop him from succeeding in what he was setting out to do. The guards weren't going to be able to pull him off, if they even tried. The screams of the people, who were now backing away to the sidelines upon his arrival, weren't able to break past the hazy red mist surrounding him. Not even Merlin, who nearly crashed into his back when Arthur abruptly stopped walking in the middle of the street, was going to be able to stop him. He had only one goal today, and one goal only…it didn't matter what this 'Lancelot' may have done in the past. It didn't matter if he saved Merlin all those days ago in the woods, it didn't matter if he thought himself good enough to be a knight, and it didn't matter just how bloody well he may or may not be able to fight.

Lancelot was going to die today.

And it was going to be by Arthur's hand, his bare hands even, considering he had no sword, something he was cursing himself for not bringing with him as he went to see Merlin this morning. But how was he meant to know he would discover something so horrid, so awful, that it made a nasty sourness form on the back of his tongue, filling his mouth until he felt as if he was about to start choking on it. Arthur himself had never, not once in the four months he'd been married with Merlin, slept in the same area as him. They had never laid next to each other, had never said their awkward goodnights, had never rolled to their side of the bed to pretend the other didn't exist. And yet…

Lancelot had done much more than Arthur.

Lancelot had probably 'tired Merlin out' the good ol' old fashion way, the kind that invoked sweat and slick and sliding together for hours until they fell onto the other in their exhaustion. Merlin had probably curled right up against that man's chest, had rested his head under Lancelot's chin and his arm around his belly and his leg hooked over one of his, naked flesh upon naked flesh as if he was a particularly lazy house cat. Merlin had probably yawned, with his mouth falling open wide enough to show his canines before he cuddled closer with a sleepy little meow, content and relaxed in a way Arthur could never make him be. Merlin's blue eyes had probably fluttered closed, looking so innocent and sweet as his dark lashes fanned against the soft apples of his cheeks, despite the not-so-innocent activities he had just finished doing. All of this were signs of peace that Arthur himself…would never get to see. And it clawed something deep in the pit of his stomach, knowing that Lancelot wasn't just some 'fling' of Merlin's that would get tossed aside as soon as Merlin had finished with him for the day. But was apparently somebody that slept with Merlin long term, the kind of man Merlin welcomed into his own personal bed…Arthur himself hadn't even allowed a woman to sleep in his bed.

And yet…Merlin had.

Merlin had allowed Lancelot into his own personal sanctum. Had allowed that…wannabe knight…to defile it in a way it had never been defiled before. It's one thing for Arthur to walk about his kingdom, through the lower town, his barns, and not know where exactly Merlin had taken his lovers. But now Arthur knew, he knew Merlin was such a…a…a bloody slut, that he saw nothing wrong with taking these men to his chambers. He saw nothing wrong with fucking these…people…right above the head of his uncle and his patients and possibly even Arthur himself! There was not going to be a single day to come in which Arthur would be able to go to Merlin's room, and not imagine the very many activities two handsome young men could get up to when they were left by themselves for any length of time.

How many times had Lancelot touched his consort…had it just been the single night in which they'd given into their debortuary? A single night of passion just for them. A night to give into their wildest desires…Arthur was too horrified by the prospect of imagining what an 'entire night' of pure sexual pleasure could end up becoming. Did they just have completely…normal…gay sex. Or did they get bored with that fairly quickly, and decide to give into…less normal kinds of sexual pleasure? Arthur wanted to know the gritty details about what Lancelot had been doing to his Merlin, but at the same time…he shied away, not entirely sure he could handle knowing what the two had gotten themselves into. What kinds of…odd manner of things, Lancelot may have pushed his little consort to do for him. Or had it been the opposite…had 'Merlin' been the one to do all the pushing. Was Merlin really the 'deviant', who allowed the most wrong and most horrid of things be done to him.

It was a good thing that Lancelot was going to die today, the prince decided as he watched Lancelot standing across the way, snatching up a broom as if that was somehow going to protect him from Arthur. Because with Lancelot dead, he would never get an additional night with Merlin. Arthur could only scarcely imagine any man would settle for having only one night with Merlin, this meant that Lancelot wanted 'more.' And he had already taken far more of his fill than Arthur would've ever allowed him to take if he had any say of it. Merlin should have known better than to invite people into his home, should've known what would happen the day Arthur found out about what was going on right behind his back…but no matter.

Lancelot would die, and Arthur would show Merlin his strength.

And Merlin would know 'exactly' who was best between the two of them.

"Exactly what do you plan on doing with that, Lancelot? Sweep down along the guardhouses or something. Because that's not very impressive. If you do truly think you are good enough for my consort, you are going to have to do much better than a measly broom?" Was the first thing Arthur snarled, ignoring the broom in Lancelot's hands in order to glance around, taking stock of whatever he may be able to use to slice Lancelot's stomach straight up the middle, and allowing his spleen and kidney and guts to come spilling forth on the ground in front of everybody. In front of Merlin who stood behind him, in front of the large group of people who seemed to feel the tension of two warriors rising through the air. In front of Gwen who stood behind Lancelot, Arthur's lips curled sharp in disgust. "You have seriously caught my consort's eyes, and yet, you are still running around with her? Absolutely pathetic. The least you can do is decide if you wish to be with a man or a woman, instead of sowing your wild oats about with whoever will have you for the evening."

If there was one thing Arthur would never be able to understand, was how any such person could spend a single night with Merlin. And then the next night go crawling between the skirts of a serving girl…yes, Gwen was objectively more pretty than some of the other serving girls. But she didn't have Merlin's bluest eyes, or his pale skin that changed colors at a moment's notice, or his stupidly big ears and dark hair that curled around them just slightly. Gwen didn't have Merlin's sharp tongue, or cold attitude that could slice Arthur to the core, she did not have the heat that filled Arthur's veins every time Merlin dared to back talk him. She didn't have one single feature or attribute that could be similar to his consort's. And yet, Lancelot was bouncing between the two of them like he was playing some kind of game. Stringing Merlin along…was probably the one who manipulated Merlin into buying that favor for Gwen in the first place…Gwen and him probably took turns telling stories as they finished whatever they got into when they weren't involving his consort. Stories like…if Merlin tasted the same to them both. Gwen had already kissed Merlin once, Arthur had walked in on it at the most horrible time. And Arthur could hardly imagine having a night with Merlin like Lancelot, and not laying an equal claim on his lips like he had left on his body…

"You are hardly one to talk about such matters, Prince Arthur. Forcing Consort Merlin to do whatever you want…beating him in the streets, having girls arrive just to fawn over you in front of him like on the training fields. You've done not a single thing I can see to show your consort the respect he deserves. And it's an injustice I cannot stand for. Not against him, or the disrespect you have just shown to m'lady." Lancelot snapped back in full, hand going so tight all around the handle of the broom that his knuckles turned white…Arthur wanted to start snorting at the ridiculousness of calling Gwen 'm'lady.' Such a simple serving wrench did not get called titles such as that, and yet…Arthur did not snort. His face instead, turned a bloodless white, his head pounding sharply, stunned for a brief moment. Lancelot had…Lancelot had…he forced himself to swallow the bile coming up his throat. Lancelot didn't bloody well know enough to speak of the past between him and Merlin. Lancelot didn't know them enough to throw Arthur's past behavior in his face. He wasn't Gwen, who'd been in the midst of a mad panic when Merlin had been poisoned. And he wasn't Gaius, who really did have every reason in the world to hate Arthur. This Lancelot was just…not a thing more than a stranger! Who was he to speak of such matters. "You might be a prince, sire, but there are some thing's that not even royalty should have been allowed to get away with! There are some thing's…some thing's that I can not condone! I came here to become a knight, but you are not the type of man I could stomach working for."

And with those words, Lancelot stomped hard on the bottom of the broom to snap off the long bristles on the end, freeing the stick and giving his own self a suitable weapon to use against Arthur. It was actually quite impressive, and maybe Arthur would've seriously considered taking him on if he hadn't taken too many steps over the line…Arthur saw a few guards nearby racing towards the fight, probably about to grab onto Lancelot for treason. He had all but said he was going to attack Arthur, and he could very well be executed for this kind of behavior, but Arthur shook his head sharply. Forcing his men to stop where they stood, and Arthur snagged hold of a second broom that had stood next to a shop nearby. This wasn't the type of fight that needed armed soldiers to get in the middle of. This was a type of fight that was between the two of them, a type of fight that would prove who was better. The type of fight that would get Merlin as the prize.

And Arthur wasn't about to lose Merlin's attention.

"You only have one chance, Lancelot. To back out before you do something so incredibly stupid. You have one chance to pack your belongings, get out of my city, and never darken our doorstep again. Because if you don't leave…you are going to die where you stand." The dangerous growl in Arthur's throat spoke of promises being made, spoke of the bloodbath this area was about to become…parents were grabbing onto their children. Friends or lovers grabbing onto the companion they had came with. Very graceful of Arthur it had been, allowing Lancelot a chance to leave while he still could. But when Lancelot only held up his broom, angled across him in a defensive manner, the prince's lips curled into a nasty grin. Bloodthirsty and dark and pleased, before he snapped a foot down on the handle of his broom as well, breaking off the bristles. Arthur held it up in this offensive position, always the one ready to attack before he could be the one attacked, before calling over his shoulder without looking from the righteous man in front of him, "Merlin, I suggest you get back some. I cannot protect you from any blows if you insist on standing in the middle of the battle arena."

As much as Arthur wanted to correct that statement, and proclaim Merlin was never going to be hurt in front of him again-not from something as dangerous as a blow to the head, or even something as small as a paper cut-he knew that he would not be able to make good on that promise. Arthur couldn't keep any proper eye on Merlin's well-fair since it was clear Lancelot wouldn't be backing down from this fight, and neither would Arthur. Already, the tension hovering in the air was reaching its peak, Arthur's biceps were flexing beneath his tunic, and it was taking everything he had to not swing his broom handle as hard as he could at Lancelot's head. He needed to wait until Merlin was clear…until he was out of the danger zone. Arthur would not be responsible if he had to duck a blow, and Lancelot's swing bashed Merlin across the face. Just one more thing Arthur would have to kill him for…nobody got to damage Merlin and live to speak the tale.

"The battle arena! Are you absolutely barking mad, Arthur! This is not any type of arena at all! This is the bloody stables! There are women and children all around who are going to watch this catastrophe! Are you even concerned about getting any of them out of the way before you have some macho showdown!" Merlin is yelling from behind him, his furious shouts ringing in Arthur's ears, and…no, he had to admit to himself. Arthur had hardly thought of the people who'd be able to witness this fight…they should count themselves lucky. To be the ones that could carry Arthur's warning throughout the kingdom…THIS was exactly what happened to men who found themselves too close to his consort. "You cannot just go and kill each other, Arthur! Aren't you a bloody prince? Don't you have an ounce of dignity, or do you usually enjoy brawling in the streets like some kind of common thug! I thought I was the only one you got into such fights with!"

Arthur ground his teeth together, wishing that for just once, Merlin would do as he said, and get away before he got hurt. He would have hauled Merlin off the field-or the little walkway they were in-himself if he bloody well could. But Lancelot looked two seconds away from attacking as well…the prince eyed the warrior's stance, begrudgingly. It wasn't one his knights used, but it also was not one that could be so easily knocked over…but then, like the stars forming in the inky blackness of the horizon, Gwen appeared. Grabbing Merlin by the sleeve and whispering at him urgently, dragging Merlin off to the sidelines so he wouldn't get involved…Arthur may actually have to thank her for that. He didn't have to like the girl, to appreciate her ability to see reason and note that Merlin's protesting was only going to fall onto deaf ears. Maybe now, at least, Merlin'd realize fighting for his honor wasn't him behaving like a thud. More…staking a claim onto what was already his.

Arthur barely had enough time to react when Lancelot surprised him, his shift from defensive to offensive smooth and quick, by a sharp jab toward Arthur's head. The prince threw his broom handle up, the loud clang of wood harshly hitting another stick of wood echoing throughout the air. Lancelot didn't wait or pause between attack, immediately going for a long sweep, clearly having every intention of removing Arthur's head from his body. But Arthur evaded it, bringing up his broom handle in order to meet the blow with one of his own, he found it all too easy to allow his body to turn with the swing. Slamming as hard he could against Lancelot, ramming his elbow into the other man and watching as Lancelot fell back, his hand raising to where Arthur had knocked the wind out of him. Arthur smirked sadistically, if that was all Lancelot had to offer, he may not even need the broom handle to take him out.

"Is that all you've got Lancelot? With the way my consort was talking about you earlier, I would've thought you would be much better than that. But you've probably gone and warped his mind. Found him when he was vulnerable and allowed him to latch onto you." Arthur spoke, unable to resist such a strong or powerful urge to taunt the other man, going even a step further by moving the broom handle until it was situated behind his head and stretched out along his shoulders. Body poised and casual, with all the time in the world to beat down this man, until he was nothing more than a bloody pulp at his feet. "You shall need a lot better than that if you truly intend to try and kill me yourself. Or was your pretty little speech earlier nothing more than that, pretty little words just meant to entice my consort into thinking your some sweet gentle hearted man come to sweep him away from here?"

Lancelot wheezed slightly, sucking in breath after breath from his blow, and it was almost pathetic to the prince. Had he really lost Merlin's attention due to this man? Had this man really shown up out of nowhere, swept his consort up as if he was some kind of hero, and he couldn't even put up a decent amount of fight? Arthur would almost feel sorry for him, if Merlin wasn't watching the two of them going at it right now. If the people weren't cowering against the walls of the stalls, fearful they might get drawn into the fight if things got too out of hand, but they were already too much out of hand. And Arthur raised a sharp eyebrow as Lancelot finally straightened up, falling back into a fight position…most people would've given up already. Fallen to the ground and accepted he was not strong enough to beat a warrior such as the prince. But perhaps this simply meant some people really were as stupid as they looked…

"How, sire, do you even look yourself in the mirror after what you have done to him?"

Arthur's heart frozen in his chest, his lips pressing so tightly together that the color turned as white as his face…his knuckles were as equally as white from how tight he was holding onto the stick. Hard enough that he could hear bits of the wood starting to creak and crack beneath him…how dare he. How dare fucking Lancelot continue to speak to him like that, speak as if he knew even one thing that Arthur had been going through in these last few months. None of what Arthur had gone through though, matched up with what he had forced Merlin to go through…Arthur slung his handle out as hard as he could. With all of the fiery force of somebody who had lost complete and utter control of his own faculties. Lancelot was prepared for him though, and brought his stick up to block Arthur from taking off his head. The clank of wood wasn't enough for the prince though, it would never be enough. He wanted blood, he would only be satisfied when he saw the puddles of blood staining the floor, watching the life as it left Lancelot's eyes…Arthur twisted his body and swung again, intent on making the end of his handle slam against Lancelot's nose.

The wannabe warrior blocked the blow…perhaps he wasn't completely horrid at fighting like Arthur had presumed…but that only fueled his fury. The red hot rage was almost consuming Arthur…he was trying so bloody hard here to make things right with Merlin, the prince thought as he and Lancelot traded several more blows, each louder and with more force than the one before. Trying so hard, only for this stranger to swoop in and undermine everything that Arthur had tried to do. Lancelot probably saw himself as the perfect angel, rescuing Merlin from a dragon-Pendragon-that kept him caged. But Arthur had never been willing to give things up easily, not when it was something that mattered to him. And not when it was something as important to him as Merlin…Arthur gave a long and powerful sweep of his handle. Lancelot actually had to move back for this one, his back bending backwards in an uncomfortable angle, just to keep his head poised on his shoulders. And this time, Lancelot came swinging back at him…he had something to fight for too.

But the question is, who would win?

The prince or the warrior?

The royal or the noble?

The husband or the commoner?

Only time would tell as the battle continued to commence, Lancelot jabbing his blade several times in order to catch Arthur in the stomach, similar to how Arthur had caught him in the gut with his elbow. But he hadn't been trained by birth to fight only to lose to somebody like HIM. It was almost amusing, the prince thought as he opted to fight with only one hand. Lancelot looked as if he was truly struggling, swinging his sword at Arthur with all the force that he could muster, and exerting far more energy than he needed too. Which left the prince to fend him off, meeting each blow for blow with a casual swing of the broom handle. Really though, if Lancelot had a proper teacher, he might have an actual chance of taking Arthur out. He wasn't as horrid as some of the men Arthur had been failing lately, but he clearly hadn't been trained properly. And when compared to somebody like Arthur…it was almost like fighting against a child. A particularly determined child wanting to kill him…Arthur hoped Merlin was still watching this. Still watching how poorly trained his warrior really was now that their skills were being tested.

"C'mon Lancelot, surely you can do a bit better than that! My consort believes in you so much, and here you are, failing him already. I'm honestly not sure you are trying to kill me or just trying to beat a carpet?" Arthur made sure to taunt him with reckless abandonment…he could almost 'feel' Merlin's eyes falling to him from the sidelines. Could feel the sting of their stare…this was truly going to be Arthur's moment to impress him. This was going to be the moment that everything fell into place, he could practically feel it on his fingertips. The date had failed, and confronting Clarissa had failed, and bringing the future trial to Merlin's attention had failed. But this…this wouldn't. And it wasn't going to be much longer before Merlin was joining him to stand over Lancelot's broken and beaten body. Grinning boldly at Arthur, giving 'Arthur' the smiles that had been given to Lancelot, giving Arthur the attention Lancelot had tried taking as if he had any right to encroach on their lives. Arthur was practically glowing with all of the power and arrogance that his position afforded him. "For a man who has became so intent on defending my consort's honor, you really don't seem as if you are going about it the right way! Perhaps I should get Merlin out here and let him show you a few moves. True, he doesn't know how to use a sword but I am sure he'll figure his way around better than you."

X

Merlin Pendragon had known for many weeks now that his husband Arthur was the possessive sort of man…Merlin had heard of such men before in his life. A type of man who liked to own their possessions, but only so others didn't have the chance of owning them as well. Men who liked to claim these pretty items or objects, even when said object was a person. And yet…Merlin had not once in his nineteen years ever presumed he himself would have a man so obviously obsessed with him. It didn't tract with what Merlin knew of himself…he wasn't a pretty man, more awkward than anything else. Known for causing trouble to those who had been unfortunate enough to cross his path. And then there was the matter that came with most people being scared of him…should they ever find out about the sorcerer hidden beneath the flesh of a man. And yet despite all his failings, Arthur had deemed Merlin a possession to be owned.

And all because of the ring Arthur wore on his finger, the matching ring Merlin had worn for so long tossed away like the trash that it was.

Merlin could still vividly remember when Arthur had first spoke to Merlin about his possessiveness, all those weeks ago in Gaius' chambers, minutes after the consort had woken up from death's door. The sharp grasp of Arthur's fingers on his chin, indenting his skin with his burning touch, forcing Merlin to remain in constant eye contact while he told Merlin how he belonged to him. And even now, Merlin's body burned, leaving him unsure if he was indignant with his own behalf in mind-what kind of man laid claims on another they hadn't even wanted. Or he might be burning from the sheer force that had been behind Arthur's eyes that day, the intensity in which they had burned a hole through his skull. And then he had…Merlin shuddered as he watched the fight between the prince and the warrior continued on, ignoring the tight grip Gwen had on his arm as he rose a finger to his trembling lips.

His finger had only brushed along the pink flesh before he was ripping it away from him…Merlin didn't like to think about that day much. When he had raged at Arthur like some kind of crazed lunatic. But he didn't like to think about the day because of what Arthur had done to him…he had made Merlin note exactly how possessive he was, how thickly rich and deep it ran, a promise to own him in a way Merlin had never been owned before…sealed with a kiss that tasted of sin and danger and hatred. Everything that Merlin hated, and yet everything he would never be able to escape from. Arthur himself had TOLD HIM he wanted to make sure Merlin understood him, understood that he belonged strictly with him. And after that kiss, after Merlin had hit him and raged and Arthur went off and finally left him alone…he had thought he understood everything the prince had tried telling him with that one horrid kiss.

But as it turned out, Merlin had been woefully unprepared to see it in reality.

To see the clashing of broom handles being used as if they were swords, how fierce and how terrible and how far Arthur was willing to go to keep Merlin only with him. The sounds of wood hitting against wood, men grunting and snarling like rabid beasts…made Merlin feel as if his entire body was about to burst into flames. And Merlin continued to stare unseeingly at Arthur as he finally landed a hit against Lancelot's chin…there was blood spurting from where sharp teeth bit through his lip, and yet, Lancelot continued to fight without pause. Beating the broom handle as hard as he could against Arthur's side…the prince looked as if he defended it off well enough, but his ribs would probably be bruised as hell come tomorrow. If either of the men had a tomorrow, it looked as if they'd both be more than willing to continue beating until one of them was truly dead on the ground.

And Merlin…Merlin honestly should've seen this coming. He should've kept the prince's claims in mind, instead of doing something so utterly stupid…Lancelot had saved him. And now, now he was going to die because of him. And simply because Merlin had been content to brush Arthur aside in his anger, content to keep raging at him while taking no note of what others would suffer through in his place. There was only so much that Arthur could take from Merlin, and that was why he was now taking his anger out on Lancelot…was this fierceness and anger really just because of…him? Because Merlin had given Lancelot a place to rest for the night instead of just turning him out on the streets the second he was well enough to stand on his own.

But no…

Arthur had been possessive like this even long before Merlin was consciously aware of it. Arthur had shown him that with how pissed he had gotten after all of those rumors started spreading, about him dating other men. But…no…that hadn't been the start of this weird demeanor with Arthur. Searching further, to the back of his mind…Merlin was able to pinpoint the exact first moment he'd became aware of there being something darker within Arthur. That moment in the great hall, when Valiant had still been seen as a gentle sort…it had been at the meet and greet for the knights competing in the tourney. Arthur had kissed his hand that day…looking up at him with challenge in his eyes…Merlin hadn't known the kind of man Arthur would become back then. He'd been left behind so flustered and embarrassed…the clashing of the wooden brooms struck this sharp terror into Merlin's heart. Enough to wreck him…

"I've got to…I've got to do something about this. I've got to make them stop all of this fighting, or they really will kill each other! And I'm not sure I want to be left behind with whoever the victor is." Merlin choked out, voice sounding too far away to his own ears…Arthur and Lancelot had started traveling during the fight. And Arthur managed to kick Lancelot into a nearby stall, the screaming of people scrambling to get away seemed non-existent to the two fighters. But the screams were like lightning striking Merlin in the head again and again until there was nothing left of him. Like there was going to be nothing left between the fighters…Lancelot managed to get a sharp hit against Arthur's knee. Only for Arthur to ram his staff into Lancelot's tender side, the side where Lancelot had gotten struck by the griffin. Merlin released a horrid gasp, body jolting as the powerful urge to race out onto the field nearly overtook him. Lancelot did not have an adequate amount of time to recover from the blow, hand only able to cup over it briefly before he was throwing himself to the side to avoid being decapitated from Arthur's staff. "Gwen, Gwen! Did you see what he just did to him! Arthur isn't…he's not holding back and Lancelot doesn't know what he is in for. And this…if I hadn't admitted Lancelot was sleeping where he was then none of this would be happening! This…it's gone on for long enough."

Merlin took only one step out onto what Arthur had called 'the battle arena' as a crate Arthur walked into smashed beneath his feet when he was expertly dodging a blow from Lancelot with the practice ease of a trained soldier. Their fighting was dangerous, both for themselves and for the people unable to get out of the area without falling into danger themselves. And Merlin didn't have a clue how he was going to stop them without getting injured himself, without using magic to fling them both away from each other, but…he had to try. The guards watching were utterly useless on the sidelines, it even looked as if the small group had started taking bets on who they think was going to win…they seemed to be favoring Arthur, of course. Loyalty over honor…but Gwen kept a tight grip on his arm, preventing him from going out any further. Stopping him from possibly getting himself killed in the crossfire.

"No, Merlin! You can't get involved or interfered! I want to stop this too, but it isn't…it isn't possible! You see the way they are going about it! You'll only get yourself hit and what would I…what would I do if that happened?" Gwen asked him, her slight form trembling in fear against his side, her rounded brown eyes looking up at him with a terror that matched his own. His arm pressed between her breasts from how tightly she was clinging to him, as if he was her support during this troubling time. "Besides…this isn't your fault. This fight feels like it was always going to happen. You might have…might have told Arthur where he has been living. But I…I accidentally told Lancelot about how Arthur has been treating you. He was…very angry. I think if Arthur hadn't found us first, then it would've been Lancelot who went after him. He…he's fighting for you."

Merlin's eyes grew wider, his breath escaping him in stunned disbelief…and he whipped his head around to look back at the fight, his heart thundering louder in his ears. He was staring at the scene with new eyes…watching as Lancelot's head whipped around, his longish hair falling out of his face as he dodged the third attempt Arthur had made to take his head off, backing away so there was enough space for him to jab his stick at the prince's gut. Arthur blocked it with ease, but…Lancelot kept jabbing with all of the strength that he possessed. He couldn't handle this…MERLIN couldn't handle this fight or this knowledge. The consort had people on his side before…Morgana was constantly fighting every bit she could against Arthur, and Gwen was constantly making sure he wasn't feeling like he was alone, and Gaius kept his focus sorely on his health getting back to where it had been before everything had happened to him. But this he knew…was something totally different. Somebody not fighting Arthur for pride or vanity or triumph. But somebody going toe to toe with Arthur…for him. This was something Merlin almost didn't know how to react too…

No…

He knew what to do.

And if Gwen had thought telling him this would keep Merlin from getting in the fight…then she had been sorely mistaken. And Merlin saw the moment when it happened…when he could no longer just stand back and watch as Arthur took Lancelot apart. It happened when Lancelot took a harsh swing at Arthur, and it took the prince only half a second to use his own stick to push Lancelot's back to the ground. And the prince twisted his body at the same time, ramming into Lancelot with his shoulder as hard as he could. Lancelot couldn't do anything more than falling backwards, where he landed in a large wagon covered thickly in a layer of hay, hay that was meant to be brought to the actual horses inside of the stable. Lancelot was immobilized, unable to get himself back up before Arthur was there, cornering him in. And Arthur wasn't stopping, he didn't care enough to stop, raising his broom stick high over his head with both hands…it reflected in the light of Merlin's eyes. Arthur had every intention of slamming that stick on top of Lancelot's head…it wasn't going to be a mild concussion or small bump. That kind of blow, the kind of force Arthur was about to bring onto the warrior…

"STOP!"

Merlin couldn't remember moving, he couldn't remember wrenching himself away from Gwen's grasp before she had a chance to grab hold of him. He did not remember running across the street into the chaos that had became from this horrid fight. And he didn't remember throwing himself in between Arthur and Lancelot, his own wide eyed and panic stare reflecting in the hatred that lived in Arthur's…Merlin brought his hands up to shield his face as the broom stick was already in motion coming down on him. Merlin squeezed his eyes as tight as he could, holding his breath as he waited for the pain to come…it was going to be any minute now. Arthur was going to hurt him again, possibly end up killing him this time, but at least…at least it wouldn't be Lancelot paying for just knowing him. And yet…it took far too long of Merlin cowering with his arms above his head before he realized he wasn't hurt. Before he realized…nothing's happened.

Cautiously, Merlin carefully peeked out through one of his eyelashes in order to see what was going on, and almost immediately, Merlin dropped his arms in surprise, entire body jolting. He looked wide eyed at the thick thing of wood…it was only mere inches away from his head, he had to go cross eyed just to look at it. And behind the broomstick, Arthur's entire body was trembling…looking at Merlin with the same strange intensity that made Merlin breathless…leaving him bare. Stripped down past his clothes and naked to whatever the blond saw whenever he looked at Merlin. Until he was nothing more than bones and meat and…Merlin swallowed hard.

"Move, Merlin."

Arthur's voice was extremely tight, his hands going stark tight along the shaft of the broom. It had clearly taken everything Arthur had to stop himself from allowing the broom to continue its course, where it would have no doubt taken Merlin out of the equation. Whether that was the equation of consciousness or the equation of life, Merlin didn't know, but the consort forced himself to push his shoulders back. He didn't know why Arthur hadn't just let the broom take him out, but he knew what was going to happen the second he stepped out of the way. Lancelot was going to become the target, and if there was anything in the world Merlin couldn't do…it was allow that to happen.

"No."

It took every ounce of Merlin's strength to force this word out of him, almost as if it had been punched out, but there it was for the world to hear. And hear they did, the people on the sidelines having gone stark quiet against their own hiding spots against the walls and stalls and crates scattered around along the street. It made the tension around them feel thick enough that Merlin could've cut it with a knife, sticking to his skin like a second cloth that should never be used as actual cloth. It made Merlin want to shrink into himself, knowing he is only getting himself in the middle of another scene, and yet…Merlin made sure not to budge from where he stood. His eyes locking onto Arthur, he could see the physical twitches that told him what a strain it was for the prince to control himself.

"I told you to move, Merlin. Before you get hurt."

Arthur's voice was raspy, his chest heaving up and down from his horrible and vigorous fight against Lancelot…or perhaps Arthur was breathing like this due to his anger. Anger, Merlin knew from experience, was such a strong powerful emotion. The type of emotion that could move mountains when nothing else in the world could, the type of emotion that could make things happen as easily as they could break them. And Merlin took a deep breath, feeling his lungs as they expanded in his chest, before he tilted his head up in a defiant manner. It Merlin was going to make his stand against Arthur today, then he was going to make sure it was a stand to remember. In front of the villagers, and Gwen, and Lancelot, and even Arthur himself…

"And I said NO."

There was a long moment of silence that seemed to stretch out endlessly, and it left neither Merlin nor Arthur budging in their stances. The broom continued to hover only an inch away from Merlin's head, and Merlin could see the veins in Arthur's eyes…he was angry. Perhaps the angriest that Merlin had ever seen him be, and yes…he looked even angrier than the day where he had assaulted Merlin for the first time. But finally, it was Arthur that broke the silence, letting out the mightiest roar to come forth from somewhere in the back of his throat, raising the broomstick higher over his head again. Merlin flinched in response to it, this automatic reflex that came when somebody expected to be hit, and his eyes squeezed shut again. And yet…still, no pain came forth. Only the loud bang of Arthur slamming the end of the broom handle as hard as he could into the ground, nearly burying the stick a full inch into the thickly packed sand.

Merlin eyed it wildly, his entire body shuddering…for an honest to god minute there, he had fully expected for the staff to come down on his head. He had already started saying his goodbyes…to Gwen, and Gaius, and Morgana, and his mother, and even to Lancelot. He was so convinced that he was about to be another casualty to Arthur's anger, that he almost didn't know what he was meant to do now that he HADN'T been hit. It was a sensation that Merlin would never recommend to somebody else…but it was still preferable to his husband making himself known once again, his large hands squeezing the thick thing of wood at his side tight enough for it to creak ominously.

"Merlin, do you really not understand what I am trying to do here. I am trying to protect you, and I can't do that if you keep insisting on running into battles that could leave you hurt. That man, you are so interested in protecting, isn't doing anything more than dishonoring you! He's taking advantage of you and that is not okay!" Arthur exclaimed wildly, looking like some kind of madman…his possessive streak was showing to an unmanageable extent, leaving Merlin blinking in stunned disbelief. Merlin didn't know what he was meant to say to such accusations…dishonoring him? Taking advantage? If anything, it was the other way around. Merlin was taking advantage of Lancelot, using him like he was an anchor, keeping Merlin busy and distracted from Arthur. Something he had surely needed in his attempts to make his life a better and more peaceful existence. "That's why I need you to step back! I need to show this…lowlife he is not welcomed around here! You will thank me for this Merlin, now please…I need you to get out of the way. And let me show you that this…Lancelot…isn't as special as you make him out to be. So that I can take care of you. I won't be using you like 'he' is."

Arthur sent a rueful look over Merlin's head to where Lancelot was, as if he was more than capable of ripping Lancelot's head off his body with his bare hands, and Merlin's breath escaped him leaving the entire world spinning on its axis for an entire minute…take care of him? Arthur wanted to take care of him…was he completely absolutely bloody fucking insane? Merlin didn't need anybody to take care of him, he was stronger now. Probably stronger than he had been the entire time he had been in Camelot. He needed to be, or this world would only chew him up and spit him out as if he was the trash Arthur had called his new friend. Or his new ex-friend…how had Arthur's delusions grown as large as they had? How did Merlin somehow miss how…insane Arthur had became in his weird devotion to keep Merlin…his but not his either. Fuck…the whole mess wasn't even about him, Merlin realized with the shattering of a heartbeat. This was nothing but Arthur and his stupid, foolish pride. A pride that refused to let Merlin be happy, a strong sense of pride that meant more to Arthur than Merlin himself ever had.

"Put the broomstick down, Arthur. You aren't going to be hurting anybody else today. You aren't going to be 'defending my honor' or whatever you think that you're doing. I am not some bloody maiden in a tower waiting for somebody to save me, and you are not the hero that I'm looking for. Lancelot hasn't tried to use me for 'anything.' Anything that I've given him, I gave to him knowingly and willingly, so there is absolutely nothing you can do about that." Arthur seemed as if he was choking at that, his eyes going wide and horrific as this horrid red flush spread across his face, but Merlin hardly understood the reaction…he is only vaguely mentioning getting Lancelot his noble seal and the clothes given to make him look the part. But Arthur was behaving as if Merlin had said…said …he was going to shove his hand up the skirts of Lady Clarissa! Or something as equally as horrific and indecent as that, Merlin pressed on though, ignoring the strangers in Arthur as yet another thing he would never understand, taking a step closer until he could see himself once again reflecting in the blues that overtook Arthur's eyes. And Merlin hissed at him, "Unlike you and yours, who have done nothing but tear me apart until there was nothing left of me to take it."

Arthur's breath seemed to catch at this, the memories probably flying through his mind just as they flew through Merlin's…all the times Merlin was expected to do or be something more than himself due to the insane pressure society's had on him to be the perfect little consort he had never been meant to be. All the times Merlin had nearly collapsed under the strain, and all of the times he had forced himself to rise above the challenge, because he had realized he'd been the only one around willing to do what needed to be done. Even if it left him standing on the outskirts of society, pushed to the dredges after refusing to 'let things go' just because 'that's the way things work around here. No! It wasn't how things worked around here. It wasn't how life was meant to go. He wasn't meant to be abused and mistreated and shamed for being not a single thing more than what he already was. And never again would he be shamed of standing up for the right thing, so when Arthur opened his mouth to protest he was already fired up, clicking his tongue sharply like one would a dog.

"NO! I am the one that is talking and you are the one that is going to listen and pretend you actually understand a single fucking word that I'm saying. Do you understand me, Arthur Pendragon, because so help me, I will end you if you do not cease this nonsense." Merlin already knew that this could very well end up going quite badly for him…who was he to threaten a prince? He and Arthur had already fought a thousand times in the past, many of them physically, and he'd never gotten more than a few scratches on Arthur when he had caught him off guard. But surely nothing that could 'end him' and surely nothing that Merlin is able to do. Not without revealing himself for the demon he was beneath all the human flesh that kept him safe from burning. But to Merlin's immense surprise Arthur didn't argue. His hands twitched around the staff, but that was all that they did. Merlin didn't allow his surprise to break him from his stride though so he quickly took charge again, "I want you to look around the little 'battle arena' you have made here, and tell me what you see right now."

There was another long moment in which Merlin was sure Arthur wasn't going to do what he told him. That he would throw another fit instead of just trying to do things Merlin's way for once, but Merlin refused to falter with self doubt after standing in front of the prince for the millionth time like this. Daring the prince to do what he said with a challenging arch of his eyebrow, and finally…the man did what Merlin said. Slowing glancing around their surroundings…the consort did not do the same, not willing to take his eyes off Arthur lest he tried taking the chance to attack again. Besides, Merlin already knew what he was going to see. The horrible wreckage that came from fighting in a place not meant to withstand a fight like this. The crates they had crashed into smashed into nothing, the few that had actual items in them smashed and broken or kicked across the yard. The few nearby stalls they had slammed into or thrown each other into with their force strong enough to crack or splinter the wood, the wares and items that were on sale knocked to the ground during the scuffle. Broken and damaged and more than likely costing their owners a fortune they didn't have to replace it. But the worst part, Merlin knew…were the people. The people who couldn't take up an arm and defend themselves, the people who had scattered, clinging onto only their hope to make it out of this scuffle alive. The people who were still looking at Arthur as if he was some kind of monster…the same way Merlin himself had been looking at Arthur. And Merlin knew the exact moment in which the other man saw this as well, Arthur's face dropping in slack horror and disbelief…his hands trembled against his broomstick again. But Merlin hoped it wasn't from anger this time…perhaps he really was just stupidly clueless about how others perceived him. Or how others were helpless to do anything when confronted with what had just happened. Merlin didn't bother waiting for Arthur to tell him what he already knew.

"You've destroyed everything because of your anger. You never see one thing going around in front of you. You only see what you want to see, and not what is being left in your wake. I would have thought a prince, trained from birth to kill, would have also been trained to control himself no matter the situation you have fallen in." Merlin said, he did nothing to mince his words and he did not a thing to make Arthur feel better about himself. The prince had ruined all these people with his brainless actions, and he needed to be held accountable for all of this. "You have TERRORIZED these people. And you have caused them ruin with the loss of product they've suffered. And you stand there, and try telling me that you're doing this for me? You aren't doing THIS for me! You can hit or beat or do whatever the fuck you want with me, but you…you've gone way too far with this one, Arthur Pendragon."

Silence fell over them once again, where Arthur continued to glance around at the broken pottery and the fallen apples and the thousands of broken pieces of wood scattered around the area. At the people who watched them with that earth shattering fears in their eyes, only now cautiously started to emerge out of their hiding places. And back to Merlin, who remained unrelenting with the harshness of his gaze, his strict resolve…Arthur might not have bashed a stick against his skull. But it was very likely Arthur was going to grab onto him and do what he had always done best…hurt him. But somebody needed to tell the prince how wrong he was, how awful he was, how his possessiveness has went and over-exceeded 'anything' that anybody would call normal. But Merlin was in a very unique position, and with nobody else willing enough for the prince's ire to be turned onto them…Merlin was prepared to be the sacrificial lamb. He figured it was better this way, Merlin cringed as he saw the prince's face going hard and start raising his stick again. It was better than Lancelot being drawn into his mess of a life, better than the people suffering because Arthur's been unfit to be…anything! Unfit to be a husband, and unfit to be a prince, and just plain unfit to be a human being…

Merlin blinked as the broomstick landed on the ground at his feet, kicking up dirt for a brief second before it settled.

And then a hand, hot and heavy and stronger than him grabbed onto his side of his face, but…not to smack him for his smart mouth. Merlin forced himself to hold back his horrid gasp at the feel of Arthur's calluses cupping his cheek …Arthur knew very well how much Merlin didn't like being touched, he'd even acknowledged it briefly before. And yet he was here, touching him again, for all the world to see…Merlin automatically averted his eyes to the ground, that old trait of him he hated that Arthur had practically beaten into him by the end of them. But Arthur's grip went tighter for a moment, squeezing his chin once before loosening again, raising Merlin's head so that their eyes met. It honestly was impossible for Merlin to avoid looking into Arthur's blue eyes…drilling into his own. For seconds or minutes or an eternity, Merlin would never be able to know for certain how long it was. But he did know that his heart stopped in his chest, and it took him far longer than it should to realize Arthur's rough thumb was now tracing a path down alongside his eye and cheek. The same path, the exact same minuscule path…the exact pattern that had once been the bruises Arthur had decorated his face with…

"You shouldn't offer yourself up like that Merlin. I know I've said it a thousand times before, but I will tell you another thousand times before you finally start to believe me…I'm not going to hurt you again. Not like that…not ever, if I can help it." Arthur spoke in this increasingly low murmur, something that felt as if it was just for the two of them…Merlin's head spun as his lips parted, confused about the seriousness in Arthur's tone. If Merlin didn't already know just who Arthur was…he might be liable to believe him. But Merlin was saved away from dragging his anger back to the surface, the one thing he now had to keep him grounded as he found his place in this world, when Arthur dropped his rough hand away from Merlin's face, turning to the people and saying in a far louder tone as he addressed them. "Quite often, especially now as of late…I found my consort speaks the truth. My actions today have been…shameful…partaking in this fight instead of taking it somewhere out of the way. I will pay personally to replace the items that were lost during this fight. And…of course…"

Arthur seemed to struggle here for a brief moment, the conflicting expressions flying across his face were almost too quick for Merlin to register…he was able to catch annoyance and guilt and desperation and finally…resignation. As if he knew he had to do something now, but it was causing him physical pain to get it done and Merlin's brows furrowed. The prince had admitted in front of all the people here today that he, that Merlin…his unwanted consort…was right about something. That right there was a shock to the system, like being doused in a bucket of freezing cold water taken during the midst of a tundra. Arthur hadn't done something like that before…admitted he was right, in front of others, and it NOT being after an endless argument between them. So…what could Arthur possibly be thinking about, that was even harder than that? Merlin did end up with an answer when Arthur turned back to him…it took him a second before realizing Arthur wasn't looking at him, but behind him. And Merlin stiffened as he felt Lancelot standing right behind him, having pulled himself out of the hay covered wagon, and now feeling like an overlooking shadow, protecting Merlin and his much more slighter form from Arthur's darkness. Like the sun that had came to cast away the shadows of the night…

"If you still want it, of course, I would be…pleased, if you joined with the basic training program."

Merlin's lips couldn't have parted wider, still trying to figure out exactly what had just gone on…just like he hadn't expected for Arthur to admit that he was wrong, he hadn't expected for Arthur to make the offer to Lancelot. He would have thought Arthur would sooner thrown himself off a cliff before he talked to Lancelot without scorn in his voice. But it was obviously a close thing, the man hadn't been able to hide his grimace from Merlin. As if it was also causing him a physical ache, admitting Lancelot into the sanctum that was the knights…the whole entire afternoon had been extreme. And Merlin didn't know if he's meant to feel excited…he'd done something good! Lancelot would get to live out that dream of his now, and Merlin…he probably wouldn't get to see him often. Not if he was busy with his training and becoming the best knight that ever came out of Camelot. Or if he was supposed to feel…confused. Arthur always kept saying these weird things, and doing these weird things, and if Merlin didn't know any better…he would say the man was under some kind of spell. None of this was the Arthur Merlin new, and that only made Merlin want to stay as far away from the man as he could get. At least with the other Arthur…he already knew what to expect. Pain, pain, and more pain.

Stupid possessive bastard…

Stupid possessive bastard who apparently decided that he had already said what needed to be said, before he turned away and started striding away from the scene of the chaos he had left behind. Merlin watched him go, feeling no desire to stop him from leaving and getting out of his sight…but Merlin felt it entirely too difficult to keep his eyes off the broad expanse of Arthur's thick shoulders. He hadn't noticed the people starting to come out in full force now that he was leaving, more people than Merlin had realized were there, but they were all whispering urgently among each other. A buzz that sounded as if they were bees crackling all around him, their eyes shooting from Arthur and back to Merlin, excitement brewing…Merlin only caught a few words here and there.

"-Luckier than we thought-"

"Consort Merlin knows what…doing…"

"-Rein the prince in…has anybody been able to do that before-?"

"Don't think anybody's bothered to try-"

"-Consort…quite brave-"

"Knew he was a hero from the start-"

"No you didn't!"

These whispers went through one ear and straight out the other, admiration was something Merlin had always wanted. To be seen for what he managed to do, instead of scorn for things he didn't know how to do. And yet, he couldn't feel anything, completely unaware of the swell of support that was flying in his direction. Completely unaware that this story would be passed onto the rest of the lower town before nightfall. Completely unaware that this was only going to be the start of something…greater than he ever thought. Which was exactly why, at that moment…something had to ruin it. A loud gong of bells, three loud rings that struck and echoed throughout the entire city…Merlin snapped up his head at the sound. He didn't need anybody to tell him what those bells meant …something had happened.

Something bigger than Arthur leaving the way he had.

X

Merlin hadn't been wrong about the bells, in fact…he had been frighteningly right about them. They meant trouble, and the scene that greeted Merlin as he reached the drawbridge that separated the lower town from the castle was one that was going to stay with him for many years to come. Dozens and dozens of people Merlin had never seen before, strangers to Camelot City, were flooding the area. They seemed to be peasants, covered in layers of dirt and dust, all of the grime being evidence of having just completed a long journey. Not one, as far as Merlin could see, carried any sort of bag or belonging. It was as if they'd simply…left where they had came from without grabbing anything. As if there'd been no time to grab anything…

Men, strong and able bodied looking, were collapsing onto the ground in sheer exhaustion, practically kissing the ground where they fell as if they were more than grateful to finally be somewhere they deemed safe. Women were crying desperately, clinging onto each other in small groups, and whispering prayers and thank you's to their god. Children were silent and still, traumatized as they also watched the scene with wide eyes, clinging to their mother's skirts, a small way of making sure she was still there with them. And many of them looked to be injured…nothing life threatening from what Merlin could see. But there were cuts and scrapes, people bleeding from wounds on their arms or legs…skirts or tunics ripped as if they had just ran through a blaze of fire in order to get to a place that'd give them sanctuary.

Arthur was already there, Merlin could see, the prince having taken off in this full sprint to the castle once the bells had started to ring, and was taking full control of the situation. Shouting to the guards to start gathering statements to find out what had happened and why these people were here…Uncle Gaius was there as well. Having been drawn to the scene from all the noise, helping somebody elderly who found it difficult to walk, down onto the ground where she could find rest. Merlin's eyes continued to dart around…there was just so many of them. So many people who had been harmed or who had been hurt or traumatized by whatever calamity had wrecked their worlds…and that's when Merlin saw her.

She was an elder woman, probably around his mother's age, who had only just made it through the gate. People were still streaming in through the opening of the gate, and yet this woman had stopped, holding onto the stone wall to seek its support in helping her stand. It only took Merlin a moment to see what was the problem…the woman's dress was torn. Torn up from the bottom and all the way up towards her knee, where she had a large bloody gash that still gushed her lifeblood onto the ground around her. Perhaps she had fallen at some point during her travels, perhaps she had been trampled over as people raced by to escape whatever had happened, perhaps she'd done it to herself and now she didn't know what to do…whatever her story was, Merlin didn't know and he did not care. He only saw somebody else that needed his help..he had practically forgotten all about what had happened only moments before all this happened as he raced to her side.

"Please-" Merlin started as soon as he reached her side, the people parting all around them in droves, packing inside the entranceway and falling in heaps on the ground as if they were all sardines…the woman flinched at his arrival, she'd not noticed him coming. Probably woozy from the blood loss, or perhaps she's scared of the strange boy that had approached her, looking at him with these wide doe like eyes…she really did make Merlin think of his mother. And it only fueled his need to help her get settled. So Merlin held up his hands to show he didn't mean her any harm, lowering his voice as if he was talking to a scared animal that needed coaxing out. "I don't mean to scare you. My name is Merlin and I live here. I just want to help get you somewhere comfortable. Please, you shouldn't be putting pressure on that leg with you bleeding like that. It cannot be good for it."

Merlin honestly didn't know if the woman was in any real danger, but she did clearly need her leg to be checked out, to get the bleeding to stop at the very least. And Gaius was clearly busy tending to a small child that looked as if his wrist had been broken during the chaos, poking and prodding at the injury so he could access the damage. Which left Merlin scrambling behind to help out where he could…the woman studied him for a moment, clearly wondering if it would be a good idea to trust him. Merlin gave her all the time that she needed from him, her eyes clearing as she became a bit more lucid, and she nodded her head in agreement. Merlin nearly sagged in on himself in relief…he didn't know why he was so desperate to help this woman in particular. Maybe it was because he wanted to make himself useful, or because her resemblance to his mother made his heart ache something fierce…the woman practically fell over as she let go of the wall. But Merlin was quick to catch her, wrapping his arm around her waist firmly, dragging her into his side…she didn't weigh much, but peasants rarely did. But she was almost entirely dead weight, as Merlin helped walk her to a small clearing that had yet to be overfilled with people. Lowering her to the ground, only sorry that he couldn't offer her a proper seat. But it's not as if Merlin could get four dozen seats brought out to the courtyard to get these people more comfortable…

"Please, I need you to wait here. I'm going to see what I can do to help you from Gaius…he's the court physician. So you'll be in the best hands to help with your leg." Merlin explained in the softest voice he could muster, talking to the woman still as if she was a skittish animal about to race into the bushes at the first sign of danger. He didn't know if Gaius would be able to step very far away from those who were already lining up to get help for their own wounds or injuries, some more serious than others, but he could at least tell him what was going on and what to do…Merlin hadn't even stood back up before the girl was grabbing onto his forearm. She still didn't say a word, too terrified of the world around her, her big brown eyes meeting his with full panic…his face was the only one she knew right now. There was no way all of these people came from the same village…more like three or four villages. Merlin crouched back down by her side, wrapping his hand around her fingers on his arm, shushing her softly, "You're okay, now. I promise. I don't know…I don't know what you've been through or what has happened, but it's over now. Camelot will keep you safe, alright?"

The woman still looked scared to death, biting on her lip as if she thought that Merlin was going to disappear as soon as he left her, but she shakily nodded before letting him go. Merlin gave her a weak smile, hoping she was more calm now than he himself was…but Merlin took the opportunity to head across the crowd. Dodging around the people on the ground, being careful but quick so he wouldn't trip over anybody and make any injuries worse than they were. He made it to his uncle's side quickly enough, where Gaius barely glanced up with his arrival, too focused on cleaning the head wound of another elderly woman, the blood seeping into her eye. Merlin tried not to grimace at the horrid sight of the woman, his uncle wasn't grimacing and it wasn't the worse thing Merlin had ever seen. But perhaps he was still raw from how insane his day had been so far…

"What's happened to these people?"

Merlin jolted in surprise when Lancelot was back at his side…Merlin couldn't say whether or not Lancelot had been watching him this whole time and was just now approaching him, or if it was just a coincidence that he approached Merlin when he wasn't busy with somebody else. But the question was a good one, and one that Merlin's had hovering in his mind ever since he came across the scene. Merlin could see Gwen hovering near them, though she had started helping with some of the children. Getting those who had came this way alone, following the crowd but with no parent or older sibling or neighbor that would be willing to take responsibility for them. Though she was casting them looks of worry, doing her best to hide it in front of the children.

"Everybody here is pretty shaken up, some of them aren't willing to talk at all right now. But some won't stop talking…mad ramblings most of them seem to be." Gaius answered in a lower murmur, wrapping up the elderly woman's head to stop the bleeding, not taking his eyes off his work as Merlin turned back to him, tying off the bandage. "But it appears that all of them who are willing to say anything, have agreed that they've been attacked by some kind of winged monster. Something that, from the sounds of it…is much bigger than something as simple as a bird."

Gaius hardly needed to finish his sentence at all…the second Gaius had said it was a 'winged monster', Merlin knew exactly what it was. And he whipped his head around to meet wild eyes with wild eyes to Lancelot…the older man had the same wide eyed stare that he did. And Merlin knew that he was thinking of the same thing he was…the same beast that had attacked them…the reason he had met Lancelot to begin with. And for a second…Merlin was back there once again. Deep in the woods by himself, the echoes of Bryon and Julian's screams as they raced from the clearing…lying on his back with his eyes squeezed shut and so close to giving up as the creature roared in his face. Rising up on top of his hind legs to come down on top of him fully intent to crush his skull beneath its hooves. Merlin's heart squeezed uncomfortably in his chest, and then as he did in the woods…Lancelot's hand was coming down on his shoulder. Giving it a tight squeeze, Merlin blinked and forced himself to relax beneath the hold.

He wasn't exactly sure where he and Lancelot stood after everything that had happened in the last twenty four hours, but for now…for now they would need to worry about getting these people the help that they needed. And speaking of helping those that needed them, there was still a woman that was waiting to have him return to her. And this new revelation wasn't going to stop him from keeping his promise to return to her. Merlin knew all about what it was like to be in a strange place where you didn't know anybody, where the entirety of your world had just been upended and tossed around until nothing had made sense any longer.

"Uncle Gaius, there's a woman over there. She's bleeding pretty badly on her leg, and she had trouble walking in, but she needs help to get the bleeding to stop…"

Merlin was interrupted when Gaius reached blindly into the medical crate he always carried around with him when he was working, already having turned to his next patient, and practically shoved a handful of items into Merlin's chest. It left Merlin scrambling to catch the items in hand before he could lose any of them, and when he was done, he realized he was holding onto a thing of cloth. A long roll of it, as well as a small jar of some kind of pinkish cream…it took the consort a few seconds of staring at the contents of the jar before he realized that he recognized it. It was the same cream that Gaius had used when he had been working on Lancelot after he'd been injured by the creature. And it had worked wonders on the warrior, allowing him to be up and moving around with the next morning's arrival, as if there had been nothing wrong with him.

"Just rub some of the paste over where the blood is coming from and then you can wrap it up. I hear you've gotten yourself some experience with fixing those injured on the fly. I'm sure you can handle this one on your own." Gaius said in an incredibly dry voice, already taking out more equipment so he can make his next patient, a man this time, a splint for a broken arm. Merlin looked down at the string of bandages in his hand, blushing….he knew Gaius was talking about the time he had treated Lancelot the best he could, when he'd been bleeding out in his arms. It had been…quite the traumatizing experience. And not one to be forgotten anytime soon. Especially since Gaius hadn't had time yet to make good on his word to teach Merlin how to do these things 'without' panicking as he had with Lancelot. "Go on now. I'll come by and check on what's been done to her after I'm finished here. You'll be fine."

Merlin wasn't entirely too sure about that but…he'd stood up to Arthur barely a few minutes before. And he'd controlled his temper enough to not go looking full on crazy this time as he went off on him. If Merlin could do that, then…he could handle a woman staring at him as he tended to her leg. And so, with his uncle already starting to tie his own bandage around the man's arm to keep it still to not unsettle the bone, Merlin took off back to where the woman waited for him. Carefully stepping over the multitude of limbs spread all over from the fallen people…fear and trauma and desolation hanging thickly in the air from all the people who had lost…everything. Their homes and their crops and their belongings, and even family members and friends who hadn't managed to get out during their escape. And to think…Merlin could have ended up in the same exact boat, injured and desperate for somebody to give him a helping hand, to help rise him up from the trauma of their unique situations. Both attacked from the same beast, and yet…Merlin the only one to walk away unscathed.

And that was thanks to Lancelot.

Lancelot who had silently followed after him, standing only half a step behind him as they made their way back to the woman…Merlin wouldn't say he knew why Lancelot was following him around. Standing watch, staying vigilant over the horror that had shifted their entire day from Arthur's assault to…this. But he couldn't say he didn't welcome the company. It was better than waking up this morning to find Lancelot had already raced off because he didn't want to see Merlin any more. Though, Merlin thought as he caught sight of the woman through the crowd of people, still sitting exactly where he had left her though there were now others who had taken a seat near her, he wondered how much longer it would last. How much longer before Lancelot realized Merlin was still a liar who didn't deserve to talk with good, honest, hard working people as the warrior was…Merlin shook his head viciously. Now was not the time to think of his own troubles, he thought as he fell to his knees next to the woman.

"Hey, hey, I'm back. I told you that I would be. The court physician passed me some supplies I can use to help you, okay? So I'm gonna rub some of this pink paste on your injury, okay? It's supposed to numb the area so it doesn't really hurt as much, alright? And then I'll wrap it up with the bandage so that you will stop bleeding." Merlin started as soon as he settled down by her side, already starting to take out the stopper on the pink cream. He set the top down beside him, and was already reaching into the little glass container to smear some on his fingertips-he wrinkled his nose in disgust, because the smell coming off of it was highly potent, he must've really been freaking out over Lancelot to have missed the smell when Gaius had been fixing him up-when he noticed that the woman hadn't said anything. In fact, the woman didn't even seem to realize he was there at all, staring off into space…Merlin wondered if she was one of the troubled ones. The ones that allowed their trauma to take their voice, just like Merlin had allowed it to take his all those weeks ago…Merlin shook her lightly on the arm. "Hello, ma'am, did you hear me? I need to see your leg so that I'm able to help you, okay? I don't want to scare you, but I'm gonna need to look at you if I'm going to help you, okay?"

The woman seemed to come back to herself at his touch, blinking, which also caused the fogginess in her eyes to clear up. Merlin wondered if she was also suffering from some kind of head injury, but he couldn't see any obvious signs of trauma, though Gaius would probably be able to pick up the smallest sign of something being wrong. The woman still didn't say anything though, although she did move her injured leg closer to him, tugging apart the rip in her skirt to bare her leg so Merlin could help her. Merlin did his best to give her as much modesty as he could, working as carefully and quickly as he dared, smoothing the paste over her wound. It was messy, he had to stop to brush aside as much of the gravel sticking to her as he could, and he had probably used far more of the paste than he needed too, but it was done. And Merlin was feeling pretty good about himself as he started wrapping the bandage around her thigh, the crisp white lines of the cloth soaking up the shed blood and preventing it from anymore loss. He'd helped this woman…with his own hands, without using his magic or anything else that might give him an advantage over other people…he had helped her. Was this how Gaius felt every time he saved a life? If it was then he could see why Gaius had decided to become a physician…

But perhaps Merlin should've realized feeling pretty good about himself was a bad sign.

Because that was when Arthur Pendragon returned to him, having finally got down with instructing his men to do a full perimeter check and to collect any stragglers that might still be making their way to Camelot through the woods…

"Merlin, I need to talk to you."

Merlin didn't answer at first, his spine going immediately stiff at the sound of the prince's voice behind him, though he forced himself to take a breath and loosened his muscles. It was just Arthur. Nothing he hadn't already dealt with before. Not anybody he hadn't already put in his place not that long ago…but maybe he hadn't. Arthur had been acting very strange when Merlin had broke up the fight between him and Lancelot. Not protesting even once about how he had traumatized his own people. Not arguing as Merlin pointed out exactly how damaging his actions today had been. Saving face to the public by going ahead and admitting his wrong-doings, even allowing Merlin to take the credit for stopping his rampage. He should've known there would've been a trick with all of this. Arthur had probably only been acting strange in his attempt to save face in front of his people for real. And now that it was over, Arthur was finding the time to come and ream him out for his interference. It would be just like his husband to do this. Ignore the chaos and the pain going on around him, just so he could get a few more shots off at Merlin while he still could.

Well…not this time.

"I think whatever you have to say to me can wait until there's a time that's way more appropriate than now. As I'm sure you can see, I currently have my hands busy with something else. So make yourself useful and do something that isn't interrupting me while I'm helping 'your people.'" Merlin mumbled lowly, clearly taking a leaf out of his uncle's book by not looking up from his work, as he tied off the bandage as tightly as he dared. He wasn't entirely sure how tight it was meant to be. Clearly not loose enough where it would fall off, but it also didn't need to be tight enough to cut off her circulation…right? "I'll talk to you when I am good and ready, and not a minute before all of this is finished with. I'm sure you can wait to yell at me until then, at the very least."

Merlin could hear Arthur releasing a frustrated breath of annoyance, and it was honestly going to surprise Merlin if the other boy didn't grab him by the elbow or something and jerk him around before demanding Merlin give him the time of day. Possessive arsehole, so eager to have Merlin's attention but unwilling to make it work Merlin's wild. Arthur would just have to seek his entertainment out of somebody else today though. Because he was exhausted after stopping Arthur from killing Lancelot, and he was running off of pure adrenaline…he had to see more people. He was sure Gaius could use all the help that he could get and there were sure to be more injuries like this woman. Injuries that would not need anything more complicated than some cream and a bandage,.Merlin was able to do that, at the very least. Merlin was pushing the stopped back into the glass bottle so he wouldn't lose any of the cream as he went searching for who was going to be his next patient, when he heard Arthur start to say something back, only to be interrupted by Lancelot.

"I believe that the consort has already given you an answer. He doesn't want to stop and speak to you. Perhaps you should do what he said, and find him at a more acceptable time." Lancelot said, clear and concise and obviously being unafraid of the man that would've been his would-be killer only minutes before now. Merlin's spine went stiff again, as he withheld a gasp, his hand going so tight around the little glass bottle in his hand, he was almost afraid that he was going to shatter it completely. He had almost forgotten Lancelot was still there with him, standing by him as he worked…perhaps that was why Lancelot stood close to him now. To make sure Arthur wouldn't bother him anymore…Gwen did say that Lancelot was…upset after she'd mentioned Arthur's treatment of him. Was this…was this Lancelot protecting him from his abuser? Making sure that Arthur wouldn't have an opportunity to come after Merlin for humiliating him in front of all those people…people didn't speak to a Prince like Merlin had dared to speak to him during the fight. "Like Merlin here said, I am sure that there is other things that you can be doing while he is hard at work on the survivors of this beast that 'your knights' have failed to put down yet."

The muscles in Merlin's stomach tensed up as he bit down on his lip, his hand briefly pausing on where he was now gathering his items into his arms…he was starting to get nervous. Anxious. Such a sharp twist from how he had looked his husband in the eyes earlier and brought him back down to size. But Merlin KNEW Arthur. As much as Merlin hated it, he bloody well knew Arthur. And he knew the prince was not going to take too kindly to Lancelot's subtle ways of saying Arthur wasn't doing enough to put a stop to this tragedy. Just as Merlin knew Arthur wasn't going to be happy with Lancelot's attempts to keep Arthur from him…this was something that could very well set Arthur off all over again. Merlin wanted to be riled up, spitting mad like he usually was, but Lancelot's presence was keeping a tight lid on that part of himself for some reason that he couldn't quite explain.

"Lancelot," Arthur started in a slow and considerably deadly tone, the muscles in Merlin's stomach were starting to cramp from how tightly he was holding onto himself. He was never going to be able to forget the way Arthur had viciously tried tearing Lancelot apart before this tragedy had hit their walls, and if that temper of Arthur's was still hovering just below the surface….he knew there'd be several people who would actually die if a second fight commenced. Arthur didn't watch his surroundings so much as he watched his opponent. "I really do hope that you are not trying to keep me from my consort. Just like I really do hope you do not misunderstand my earlier mercy…you are only joining with the basic training because my consort wishes it. I do not have to pass you up any further than that. In fact, if I decide your attitude doesn't fit with what the Camelot Knights should be, I can have you cut from the program entirely. Your whole career ended before it even started."

There was false sympathy in Arthur's voice, speaking volumes about just how much he would like to cut Lancelot from the program and be done with it. But Merlin held back a gasp, ice starting to fill his veins, freezing him from inside every blood vessel he possessed until there was nothing left but that horrid cold sensation. Arthur wasn't fighting with Lancelot, but he was still using his leverage to try and force Lancelot to do what he wanted him to do. Using his influence and his power to make Lancelot move, threatening all the good work Lancelot was going to be able to do being in a position of power. And all so he could talk with Merlin without interference from him…

"And I hope you understand, sire. That I have not agreed to even be a member of your knights yet. I admit, it's something that I would've jumped to have the chance…to be a knight in one of the greatest armies to walk the earth. And yet I have seen many things that have unsettled me in my short time here." Spoke the warrior, voice considerably tight and decisive…in another world, this would be the moment Merlin would've realized how grateful he was to Lancelot. He's one of the very few men who wouldn't back down from tangling with Arthur, a spot that had been majorly for Merlin. But in this world, in a world where these fights could mean the end of everything…Merlin could only feel the horror with each and every pump of his heart. Lancelot was on the verge of giving up with his dreams, on the verge of turning his back on the one thing he'd wanted…all these years…and Merlin was the one to blame for it. Lancelot was doing all this for 'Merlin.' "Knights are meant to be honorable and just, they protect those of the people unable to protect themselves. They stand against tyranny, and will do what needs to be done to save those under their charge. But from what I've seen here, Consort Merlin is the one who needs protecting. From both you and your men. If nobody else is willing to protect the consort, then somebody's got to step up."

The silence that stretched on was endless…Arthur's pride most likely wounded after Lancelot laid into him with all the stern grace of a disgusted gentlemen…. but Merlin already knew what he needed to be done, he thought as he slowly rose to his feet, unnoticed by the men in front of him. Hair cast low in front of his eyes to cast a shadowy effect. Lancelot wanted to protect him, a thought that should've warmed his heart, made him sag against the other man…he had been right after all, to allow this stranger into his fold. But as Merlin had told Arthur so many times…he didn't need protection. And he wasn't going to allow Lancelot to throw his entire life away, just so he could stand beside Merlin. The Consort still had his issues, and the self doubt, the feeling of 'not being worth it' was too strong for him to ignore. He could be brave once again…it wasn't as if he had a choice here. Arthur Pendragon always got what he wanted, Merlin'd be no different. Besides, it was just a talk…it was hardly anymore difficult than stopping their fight.

So, why did it feel like his heart was trying to fly out of his ribcage?

"I'll go with him."