This chapter is dedicated to, GopStop, who wanted to see Merlin playing the matchmaker, for Gwen and Lancelot. So I hope they enjoy how I went and incorporated their idea into the story, though it's only briefly mentioned in this chapter. It should probably be more apparent in the next chapter or two ;p

This chapter is also dedicated to Fanficscourer35, who wanted to see Merlin being a wingman for Lancelot and Gwen in order to help them get together, but also causing confusion and misunderstandings for Arthur who will think it's Merlin trying to get with Lancelot ;p. So I hope they enjoy the Arthur issue that is sure to come up soon enough ;p

X

Lancelot would have to admit, that he had never given much thought to what the life of a courtesan might involve when they weren't 'servicing' their own master. He had always assumed they simply spent their lives bathing in the milk of goats, something that apparently made the skin smoother, and taking all the time in the world to choose their clothing or jewelry. Spending all their lives with the other courtesans their master would no doubt have, in a heavy abundance, and never interacting with the world outside of it. But Merlin did seem to live his life quite different from any courtesan Lancelot had heard of in his travels…for one, he didn't seem to live in the castle with Arthur. And he was living with family, instead of forsaking where he had came from to take care of himself while he was still young and pretty enough to make a living from it. He didn't even seem to carry anything with him to indicate his status was higher above the rest of them, seemingly preferring to keep all of his courtesan stuff and belongings and trinkets locked away in their trunks until he needed to use them. But more importantly…Merlin had friends. Friends that weren't involved, as far as Lancelot knew, in the lifestyle he had gotten entangled with.

Guinevere was no courtesan.

She seemed far too sweet to be able to live such a lifestyle, and her eyes had held a certain innocence that Lancelot couldn't picture any fellow courtesan carrying. Though Merlin himself also seemed to carry the same innocence in his eyes…behind a dark shell that might've been keeping the burdens of such a life from view of those who might care to try peeking behind the curtains of his life. Lancelot might've even sworn Merlin was no different than the rest of them, if it wasn't for all the jewels and silken clothes he had came across not that long ago. Which was probably why he was so surprised when Merlin had started laughing at him…laughing louder than any bobcat Lancelot could have heard on his travels. Lancelot had never imagined a courtesan could laugh…he had assumed they spoke in sultry tones and giggled seductively…Merlin was just so different from Lancelot's expectations on a courtesan. He laughed as if he was never going to laugh again…

Which was why Lancelot's cheeks burned in embarrassment…was it really so funny for Lancelot to ask whether or not Guinevere was in the midst of a man's courtship? Merlin seemed to have more of a personal life than others who were sharing his occupation, so surely he would KNOW…or maybe he did know, and it was why he thought it was so funny. Maybe Merlin himself really was in some relationship with Guinevere…just because Merlin did a job for Arthur, wouldn't mean he didn't have his own personal relations elsewhere, another thing that Lancelot had never considered a courtesan might have. Or perhaps the young lady was courting someone else entirely, and Merlin thought it was ridiculous to even ask because this man was everything a lady like Guinevere would ever need in life. This mystery man wasn't a man like Lancelot, living on dreams he might never reach if this plan fell through…having to lie his way just to get the chance he had, having absolutely no money to support Guinevere or give her a proper courtship that would prove he could provide for her…

"Lancelot," Merlin finally croaked out when he managed to calm himself down, a little grin playing on the edges of his lips as he reached out to cup Lancelot on the shoulder. Lancelot's stomach muscles tensed, just like they had when he had first told Merlin about his dreams of becoming a knight…uncertain and afraid, he always seemed to be since he had entered the city's boundaries. He was sure Merlin, just as he had been sure before, was about to say he wouldn't have an ounce of a chance at getting a lady like Guinevere. Not when he is like he is now, not when he had no means and no steady work lined up to give her the proper life. "I think Gwen might be as smitten with you as you were her. It wasn't like you were exactly subtle, Mr. Kiss her hand like a proper gentlemen. I think she'd be thrilled to have your attentions. As long as you are serious and not just playing around or anything."

Lancelot wasn't sure how long he stood there before Merlin's words registered to him, the tenseness in his shoulders seemed to leak out of him. He was sure his face was lighting up, but he didn't do anything to stop it…he wasn't nearly as ashamed by his sudden feelings for Guinevere as he probably should have been. A proper gentlemen wouldn't have made his intentions known to friends before the lady…a proper gentlemen would've introduced himself before her or her family to show how serious he was. Not going behind her back to speak to her friends…a real gentlemen should have the courage to face her, and ask her if she'll give him a chance. But Lancelot was hardly able to consider what was proper, the excitement echoing inside of his blood was too great for him to ignore. Not even the mention of his kiss-maybe he should've asked permission before just assuming Guinevere wouldn't mind or had another intended who'd surely mind-was enough to bring him embarrassment.

"No, no, no! Of course I'm not playing around or anything. I…maybe it's far too soon considering we've just met, but I really want to see more of her. I cannot imagine feeling the way I do and not trying to go for it. I would never dishonor her by treating this as some sort of game…" Lancelot stated firmly, he needed Merlin to know his friend was going to be in good hands. That hurting the lady was the very last thing on his mind. Because Merlin was his friend too, and this relationship was just as important as the one he hoped to convolute with Lady Guinevere. Lancelot wanted too…he wanted too…well he wasn't entirely sure where this was going. He would need to talk to the lady and see, even if Merlin was confident she would say yes, if she thought the same of him as he did of her. As he had said, Lancelot had no intentions of showing an ounce of dishonor to Guinevere. A gentle lady like that deserved to be held as gently as well, she deserved to be wooed sweetly…a courtship that would truly mean something to them both... Lancelot had never met a woman in all his travels that had sparked an interest like Guinevere had. If only Guinevere really was opened to his affections-Lancelot stopped his rambling as he saw Merlin's grin growing wider. And that was when Lancelot realized… "You really don't think I'm going to do something as horrid as string her along or treat her like she doesn't deserve, do you? You just wanted to see how I would respond, didn't you?"

Merlin's smirk grew wider across his face, and Lancelot shook his head with an almost breathy laugh escaping him…good god. Merlin had nearly given him the worse kind of heart attack just now, had almost devastated him…and knowing it was nothing but a joke made his strong reaction look ridiculous. But one was hardly able to blame him, Merlin was Gwen's friend…Merlin was HIS friend, and he didn't want his disapproval. Especially considering Merlin was the first real person to…believe in him and his dreams, who would go out of his way and lie to his own master just because he put his trust in Lancelot of all people. There was not one thing worse on this planet, that Lancelot could think of right now, then Merlin turning his nose up at Lancelot on this one issue…but considering he had never really had any friends before, what Merlin thought was insanely important to him.

"You'll learn very quickly around here Lancelot, that I never do things the easy way. Why bother asking you straight up when you could just lie to me…seeing how people react when pushed can often reveal more than anything else that I could've learned by simply asking." Merlin said, as calm and as collected as he could've been. But Lancelot was starting to see that, as Merlin reached up and absentmindedly started fixing Lancelot's collar, folding back the folds that had came up during his measuring, Merlin was very much a man of action. The boy hadn't tried convincing his master to allow Lancelot into the program, because he knew talking didn't mean much. He came up with this whole elaborate plan in order to combat it…Lancelot had only met Guinevere because Merlin took a path of action…proving Lancelot's skills as a knight in front of the prince would catch his eye far quicker than he would've after he gotten dismissed for the peasant heritage he'd been born with. "But I do think that I have to warn you…Gwen is a very good friend of mine. I'm sure you realize that, but I'm not quite sure you realize how deep that friendship runs. There is a…bond between her and me. Almost like a sister. And I know that she's far braver than she actually thinks she is, smarter too…she'll find her way out if you hurt her. But if I am the one to find out you hurt her, then be warned…I will maim you."

Lancelot's jaw dropped opened a bit in stunned silence…Merlin smiled at him in a cheeky fashion, wide enough for dimples to pull in his cheeks as he was smoothing his hands along Lancelot's collarbones in order to smooth out any invisible wrinkles from the fabric. Merlin's friendly demeanor spoke of a quiet ease in Lancelot's presence, but his eyes told a different story…far harder and more threateningly than Lancelot had ever seen directed at him in their short time knowing each other. Lancelot might be the one skilled at a sword, but he had no doubt in his mind…Merlin would truly maim him if he thought Gwen was not being treated right. Maybe Merlin would come at him in his sleep, which is very easy to do considering Lancelot slept in the same room as him…maybe he would gut him straight up his stomach and to his chest cavity with one of the many scalpels his uncle owed. Most people would see Merlin's scrawny frame and laugh in his face at the mere idea of the boy trying to take them on, but he had also seen Merlin taking on two fully trained knights with nothing but a tree branch to defend himself with. Merlin wasn't scary, but Lancelot felt so much respect rising in him in that moment…not many people would want to maim a man for hurting a friend. Not that Lancelot would ever hurt Guinevere, so that threat was completely moot, but…the respect he had for Merlin stayed leveled and Lancelot nodded his head. Finding himself unable to speak as Merlin drew his hands away from him finally.

"And besides, even if I was into people like Gwen myself, you wouldn't have a thing to worry about on that front. Gwen really is like my sister, and strangely enough, we seem to have the same…taste in the people we might like to see in a more…intimate setting." Merlin noted, turning his back to Lancelot in a snap that startled the wannabe knight, who quickly followed behind him when the other started walking away from him. The same taste in people…thought the soon to be knight curiously…did that mean Guinevere liked knights? Clearly, Merlin had to have a taste for knights…even if what he did as a concubine to Arthur was nothing but a job, he had to find some perks in it to keep doing it everyday… "Personally you know…I think I prefer my men on the more muscular side of things. Softness and curves really…aren't my thing like other guys may like. I…I hope that isn't a problem for you. Though I can definitely understand if you want to find lodgings elsewhere, or sleep downstairs with my uncle, even I could sleep downstairs if you prefer. If you're too uncomfortable. People don't exactly…want to be around the gay guy much around here. You'll probably end up being a pariah if people know where you've been sleeping, or might accuse you of being gay too when you aren't…"

Lancelot stopped short at that, but Merlin didn't seem to realize he had and he kept going…Lancelot's mind was reeling in confusion. Had he given Merlin any worries that Lancelot might be homophobic? Lancelot would be the first to say he had never given being with another man a second thought, he'd hardly even considered being with a woman before Guinevere…being a knight had always been the one thing on his mind all these years. But he had stayed in thousands of places, the seediest of the lot, and had seen all manner of people. Lancelot had even slept in the same bed, more than once, with men he knew was gay, one could hardly be picky when they had nowhere else to sleep and it'd never been a problem before. Lancelot may have freaked for a moment when he had first realized Merlin was a concubine, but that was only because of how oddly surprising it had been. Not once did it even occur to Lancelot that Merlin had to be gay to live easily with such an arrangement…it hadn't even occurred for him to question it. Whether Merlin was gay or not wasn't any business of his or was that business even a problem for him. Merlin was just…Merlin. Whether he was gay, or straight, something in-between or nothing at all. Merlin would still always be the boy that was risking his own safety for breaking the laws of the city just so he could help Lancelot with his own selfish desires. He was always going to be the boy that saved Lancelot's life instead of leaving him to die by himself in the woods…was always going to be the boy that had given Lancelot his own bed just so Lancelot wouldn't have to beg the stable boys to allow him a patch of hay for the night. Always the boy who would threaten somebody to keep his friend-his sister in all but blood…safe.

…Maybe this was why Merlin was so secretive about his concubine lifestyle, or why he didn't wonder around looking like some kind of geisha in order to show off what he did…because people had terrorized him for it? Lancelot had seen a cruelty in people he'd met over his travels, but he had always assumed the city would be more…progressive…than that. Camelot herself literally had its prince being gay, and not just gay but a flaunting gay. With his husband inside of one hand and his courtesan in the other, and yet…Merlin was getting this crap from other people? Merlin thought LANCELOT would share such a…horrid opinion…Lancelot couldn't think of a greater crime than punishing somebody for loving a little differently than the mass group did. As long as Merlin and whoever he's with were consenting adults, then…why the hell would something like that even matter? It's not as if Lancelot was one of those dingbats, who thought that the other boy might try and attack him or something if they shared a room, simply because he couldn't help himself. Lancelot wasn't stupid. Being around a gay man didn't mean said gay man didn't understand consent or shared interest…but there were actually people out there who thought things like this…people who believed in whatever propaganda that had been spread a few years earlier that all gay men were predators or something.

"Merlin!" Lancelot called after him before he could stop himself, not that he had wanted too, but he hadn't expected to feel the word being punched out of him either. Merlin froze somewhere ahead of him, revealing to Lancelot exactly how important this moment for Merlin was, revealing Merlin's desperate need to be…accepted. Lancelot wasn't even thinking about Guinevere, or how he'd get Merlin's unwavering approval if he accepted him…he just needed the other boy to know there was nothing to fear from him. Lancelot wasn't going to begin looking over his shoulder in case he thought Merlin might try and jump him, and he wasn't going to be shamed by anybody sticking their noses in their business…he really didn't care if other people thought he was gay. Lancelot was plenty confident in himself in that aspect, and Merlin was probably one of the bestest of people he's met…Lancelot wasn't going to be chased off because of this. "…I wonder if Gaius is already back from what he was doing this morning. Do you think he'll mind if I use his wash basket to clean myself up after I get finished with my training test? If I'm going to sleep in your bed tonight, then I want to make sure I'm not dirtying them up with my sweat or anything."

Merlin didn't move for the longest time, but he didn't need to…Lancelot knew Merlin had already gotten the message loud and clear. And without Lancelot making a big deal about it, or acting as if it was anything bigger than it actually was. If Lancelot planned to continue using Merlin's bedding, then clearly, there was no problem between them. Lancelot wasn't going to go on a rampage and try to beat Merlin in a fit of homophobia distress, believing he'd gotten tricked into sleeping in the same room or caring less about changing his clothes right in front of Merlin because he hadn't been aware of Merlin's preferences. None of this was going to change anything between them, or the friendship they had started to develop. As long as Merlin continued being the man Lancelot's been getting to know, then…he could see them being friends for a long, long time.

"Er…yeah. I don't think Gaius would mind at all, he'll probably shove the thing at you in fact. For a man who's got dust everywhere, he feels very strong with personal hygiene." Merlin croaked out, still keeping his back firmly to the man, but Lancelot could hear how thick with emotion Merlin's voice was. Could see the way Merlin was raising an arm to scrub harshly at his face, and Lancelot's sure Merlin was wiping away any wetness in his eyes before Lancelot was able to see it. Lancelot's face softened, he wanted to tell Merlin that he didn't need to hide things like that from him. Or worry that Lancelot might react badly over it. In fact, Lancelot was hard pressed to think about anything Merlin might say that would actually make Lancelot truly upset with him. Merlin was just so…not like anybody he'd ever met before. Hell, if Lancelot even had any inkling to the male form himself, it might've been Merlin to have caught his eye. "Why don't you go on ahead, you can find Uncle Gaius' chambers yourself, right? And ask him for yourself. I'll be there before Gwen is, of course. There's just something I need to do first…an errand…there's no reason for you to tag along. It will only be boring, and I'm sure you want to get yourself ready for your testing."

Lancelot blinked, momentarily thrown off by Merlin suddenly sending him off on his own…had he done something wrong? Was Merlin really upset with him, and he was trying to send him away before he said something from the heat of the moment…or…Lancelot's shoulders relaxed. Maybe Merlin just needed one single moment to himself, without Lancelot hovering over his shoulder. There's no reason for Lancelot to insist on how he doubted any 'errand' ran with Merlin would be 'boring', especially if he got to check out more of the city. Not when Merlin, who still hadn't looked at him, simply needed a moment to get himself back together, and get his emotions under control. Merlin seemed like he was an emotional guy, and there was absolutely nothing wrong with him wanting to calm himself in privacy. If Merlin wanted to do his 'errand' alone, then Lancelot would of course, oblige, and leave Merlin to it. He was sure sitting in awkward silence with Merlin's uncle was more than adequate time to spend his morning.

X

Despite what Lancelot had been thinking, Merlin Pendragon really did have a sudden errand he had to run. Something he had thought of doing in the spur of the moment, and something he couldn't forget about, and with Lancelot's testing rapidly approaching them…there was really no time better for him to get this ball rolling. Which was exactly why, after Lancelot left him with only a goodbye pat to his shoulder, he traveled up three floors to get to where he'd need to be. He wasn't entirely sure how long this was going to take, so he did not want to waste his time by taking his time to get there…and this was most definitely something that couldn't wait until later. Lancelot deserved to know he was being welcomed into their little family of four…

Merlin had known, the very second Lancelot had made his confession feel as if it had been no big deal, that there would be no one better to welcome into the fold. Even if Lancelot and Gwen didn't make it to the finish line, he would want Lancelot to still become a member of their family. It had always been only him, and Gaius, and Gwen, and Morgana…it would be strange to welcome this new member. Merlin had never even considered adding a new member before this, he'd been content with the small knit circle of family and friends he'd gathered around him. But how could he deny Lancelot after what had just happened…he was just so use to Arthur's reaction to things. Always being the butt of all their jibes because Arthur 'didn't want to be married to a gay man.' Meeting another who didn't care about such things was so…refreshing. Exciting. And Merlin just knew, after what he planned to do…even Gwen would understand this was his way of showing his approval.

Merlin had been so bloody terrified when he'd confessed…he had never been scared of saying what he liked before. But Arthur's near violent reactions each and every time he thought somebody might consider him 'gay'-stupid boy, the people already considered him gay considering his MARRIAGE-had started to give him pause towards certain things. But Lancelot's nonchalant attitude with the whole thing had made him go from shaking in his boots, to seconds from collapsing in a puddle of relief all over the floor…it was only his strength of will that had stopped the waterfall of happy tears from streaming their way down his face. He had known Lancelot was something different, but this had actually only confirmed it. Merlin wasn't even all that sad anymore about not having his feelings returned…why have a crush on somebody he could never have, when he could have a great friend instead.

Merlin did seem to have developed a habit of picking up strays…the physician nobody ever chatted with unless they needed something. The handmaiden, so high above the other serving girls but sweet enough that many forgot they were badmouthing a superior, only interested in using her sweet nature to make her help them finish their chores faster. The ward of a king, treated just as a royal should be treated but knowing she would never truly be considered a royal in the eyes of the court. And now…a true born knight being denied his spot in the ranks of the royal armies due to a silly thing like 'bloodline.' It almost felt as if Merlin's 'pseudo council' was slowly starting to come together, entangling the five of them in ways that could never be undone. And Merlin was sure there's space for more…if he ever met anybody else who fit into the strict criteria the consort had for welcoming people into his fold.

The strict criteria that simply had one rule…

Be a good friend.

With that thought burning brightly in mind, Merlin stepped forward before he pushed open the door he'd been standing in front of for several minutes…the voice of Madame Teresa and her two workers greeted him, probably the most eager people to work for him than anybody else in the kingdom. He just really hoped Gwen wouldn't kill him for this, but somebody had to do something…if he left it up to Gwen, her and Lancelot might never have a chance. Especially if Lancelot needed a little extra…boost of confidence, to get the wooing started between the two of them.

X

Arthur Pendragon had quite the eventful early afternoon, one that was spent majority down in the dungeon cells. As soon as Arthur had left Gaius home, all the new information he had received pounding away in his skull, he had done the one thing he'd been postponing. He'd been oh, so wanting to see Dorian sweating over the mistake he'd made, wanted to let it sink in how any risk to his consort's safety was not to be tolerated, but perhaps Arthur would have already learned the truth if he had simply gone to see him the moment he had gotten the guard's report on the arrest Arthur had ordered them to do. Then he wouldn't have looked like an idiot in front of his uncle in law for not going over his facts, wouldn't have seemed like a chump for not pressing Merlin for more details on his story. Wouldn't have sounded like an insensitive clout who used Merlin whenever he wanted to…no. Arthur was not going to worry himself half to death over Merlin telling his uncle Arthur had kissed him. Again. There's some things, as Arthur was coming to understand, that was far more important than his own inner gay panic trying to get the best of him again. So the two of them had kissed! It wasn't like it was a big deal…they'd kissed before.

Sure, their wedding hardly counted considering Arthur had been coerced into following tradition, and Arthur had been more focused on getting it completely over and done with than thinking about the actual kiss itself. And then there'd been that time Arthur had pressed a heated kiss onto the back of Merlin's very hand during the meet and greet when they'd had that tourney several months back. But that also hardly counted, considering Arthur was more trying to one up Valiant than anything else, before he realized what a slime ball that the man really was. And then there was this final kiss, which…Arthur had no real excuse for other than not liking Merlin taunting him with his inane idea on trying to go with a woman. That excuse was a poor one at best, and while it might've been the reason Arthur had kissed Merlin. It still didn't give him a reasonable reason for sticking his tongue down Merlin's throat, or yank at his hair, or cup gently over his cheek, or lick his way into memorizing the nooks and crannies of his mouth …

Fuck, Arthur was starting to spiral into that dark hole once again…what had he even been going with that thought? Ah..oh, yes. It wasn't any big deal that his consort had told his uncle what he had done. Other than the whole…Gaius now hated him for a reason Arthur couldn't go back in time and fix. And it wasn't as if he had any real reason to be mad at Merlin for speaking up…he'd only been being his usual sassy self. It had been Arthur who'd overreacted and changed their entire relationship by allowing his frustration to once again get the best of him. Merlin SHOULD speak up when Arthur did him wrong…it was probably the only way Arthur would hear him and stop doing such stupid things such as that…

Fuck…

What had Arthur been thinking about before he started thinking about Merlin and his lips and his right to defend himself in any manner he could…

Right…

Dorian.

Arthur had spent the rest of his morning and early afternoon standing in front of Dorian's cells and getting a proper report about what had happened the day before, when Merlin had been let out of the gates. Dorian had reported to him how Merlin had approached the gates that morning with Bryon and Julian both escorting him. Dorian had noted something about the whole thing seemed like it was off, but he failed to tell Arthur exactly what it was that tipped him off to what was going on. Not even Dorian could explain, other than saying it was a sixth sense of some kind. Arthur had another word for it…a gut feeling. Maybe Merlin hadn't been his usual chatty self, or Bryon and Julian hadn't sounded as they usually did…but whatever it was, Dorian's hackles had been raised. Then Bryon and Julian had told him and Tristian that Arthur had assigned them the task of escorting Merlin outside the gates.

Arthur had asked Dorian to repeat back exactly what the two knights had told him several times, he wasn't trying to find some kind of excuse or wiggle room to get those two knights out of this. Arthur would always have the back's of his men, but after this betrayal, the two were already dead and buried as far as he was concerned. But Arthur did need to make sure he had all the facts, needed to make sure there was no way either Bryon or Julian could try wiggling out of this themselves once they were brought before the king for treason. Anything that the two said, Arthur needed to be able to combat it with concise words if he was going to do what Gaius wanted him to do…make these two the public figureheads as for why trying such shit on his consort wasn't going to happen under his watch. Not today, not tomorrow…never again. God help whoever did not get the message Arthur was setting with these two.

Dorian continued his story about how he had waited with Tristian until it felt as if too much time had passed. And he was preparing to set off into the trees to check on Merlin for himself, leaving Tristian behind to continue their duty as a gate guard, when Bryon and Julian had raced passed them without a word, too busy screaming like terrified ducklings, and giving no explanation as to what'd befallen Consort Merlin. And so Dorian had trekked into the woods alone, and leaving Tristian behind just in case something big was happening and the bell had to be sounded to send a warning throughout the city. Arthur had listened to Dorian's explanation on how he tracked Merlin off the trail and deeper into the woods where only hurting parties dared to trek…Arthur had swallowed his rage down when he heard where they had taken Merlin. Those woods were so dark and filled with all manner of beasts-and not just a magical beast that had wings and wanted to steal his consort away from him-that it was truly one hell of a miracle for Merlin to have made it back to him at all. Thank god Dorian had a skillset for tracking…it was why his father had chosen Dorian to go searching for Merlin over a year ago. Leon had the leadership, Tristian knew exactly how to handle himself in a fight, and Dorian was the tracker. Could probably figure out how to find a particular needle in a haystack of needles…

But anyway, Dorian had soon came to the part where he had tracked Merlin to where he was hiding behind a fallen log…Arthur had insisted Dorian give him a full report on how Merlin's status was. Dorian had obligated, repeating what he had seen as if it had happened moments before…Merlin's pants had been torn at the knee and coated in blood, Arthur had desperately wanted to go find his consort just so he could roll up his pants leg and see if Merlin still carried any damage on his knee. Dorian had also reported that other than that, Merlin had seemed fine physically. But mentally was a different story, shell shocked, was the word Dorian had used. Hands coated in a thick layer of blood, apparently belonging to the stranger that had saved him, the stranger that Merlin wanted to bring to him….the noble that had stumbled across his consort in some odd twist of fate when Arthur hadn't been there. Arthur didn't know if he should be filling pissed, because of Merlin's obvious admiration for the man. Or if he is meant to be suspicious, he still didn't know how the man could have just came upon his consort when he'd been in the middle of nowhere. Or grateful that at least somebody hadn't been trying to kill off his Merlin when he hadn't been looking…

New rule…

Arthur was never taking his eyes off Merlin.

Period.

Too many people liked trying to kill him.

Which is what led Arthur to what he was doing now…storming throughout the palace on this beautiful day. The sun was shining and there was nary a cloud to hinder it…nobody would've guessed this would be the day where two of the kingdom's men were going to breathe their last. But Arthur figured that would be perfect, it meant neither Bryon nor Julian would see him coming after them until it was too late to do anything about it. On Arthur's left side, walking just a half step behind him, was Knight Dorian. The man had been fully reinstated to his normal knight status, and his armor, cloak, and weapons returned to him as a full apology was given for the misunderstanding that had led to his arrest the day before. And on Arthur's right side, also half a step behind him, was Knight Tristian. As much as Arthur hated the knight's nasty comments about his own consort, Arthur at least knew the man was loyal. And had practically stuck to Knight Dorian ever since the three of them were first welcomed into the knight training program when they were little more than children…before they'd risen in the ranks high enough to be the leaders and commanders of those beneath them.

Like Bryon and Julian…

God hath no fury like a prince on a mission…

Hellfire was going to rein down onto their heads…

Mark his words…

Arthur Pendragon would make sure justice was carried out today.

And…

Arthur Pendragon nearly had his nose broken when the door he had passed by just now swung open as hard as it could, as if the one opening it didn't have an ounce of care for who might be passing by. Arthur jolted away in surprise, he had been so caught up in his mission that the door swinging open had came to a complete surprise to him, as his hand flung up to cup around the throbbing muscle in the center of his face. His eyes were reflexively watering-he was most definitely not crying, he had suffered far worse than a bruised nose-as he glared daggers at the man exiting the room. Humming a nifty little tune beneath his breath as he toyed around with some kind of cloth in his hand…Arthur's breath caught in his throat and his hand froze on his nose.

"Merlin."

The name escaped his lips, though it sounded breathy and constipated at the same time considering the state of his nose, and the consort stopped right in his tracks, the door swinging shut behind him. And for just a second, barely a half second if that, Arthur wasn't seeing the Merlin he saw now. The beautiful, calm Merlin…he was seeing a Merlin down on his knees. Face etched over with complete terror, blood caked so thickly onto his hands that he would need the help of Arthur in order to scrub the skin clean. And then it was over, and all he could see was Merlin. Standing there. His hand curling securely around the so light blue sheer cloth he was holding…one would have never thought Merlin'd lived through something truly traumatic just a few days earlier. Hell, even he'd not realized the sheer damage his consort had undergone, despite coming up with his life still in tact.

"Arthur."

Merlin's voice had gone flat the second he spoke, as if the very name was only something to be disdained by. Arthur had never hated his name as much as he did in that moment…perhaps he should consider getting his name changed. To something that Merlin wouldn't hate so much, though Arthur had a feeling that it wouldn't change anything. Merlin could call him whatever the hell he wanted too, and Arthur would still go chasing after him in order to hear it thousands of times. Arthur's nose was still throbbing, but he dropped his hand down by his side in order to try making him look less ridiculous than he had felt. He pushed his shoulders back even, trying to look as calm as Merlin looked, though it felt as if his anxiety was stirring back up to the surface. Merlin just standing right there enough to make him forget what he had been doing before, or what he'd been about to do…

"I er, I wasn't expecting to see you here." Arthur started to stutter, and he was feeling even more incredibly foolish…how the ever loving hell could Merlin just keep on looking as if their unexpected meeting was absolutely nothing to him. Arthur could feel literal sweat stains starting to form in his armpits because of how nerve wracking all of this was. And he was sure Merlin could smell it…did he smell? Arthur had to resist the urge to sniff at the shoulder of his jacket to see for himself, but he didn't want to look even more stupid in front of Merlin…fuck. What was he supposed to say now? Was he supposed to wish the other boy a good morning…wait, no. It wasn't morning any longer. Was he meant to…Arthur's eyes fell down onto the cloth that Merlin was holding, and he latched onto it like it was some kind of lifeline. "What do you have there? Can I see it? It's a fetching color-"

Arthur was already starting to reach for it, his body reacting though his mind kept screaming at him about how stupid it was…Merlin snatched his hand far away from Arthur before he had the chance to take it from him. But Arthur had already gotten a good enough look at the silken cloth, and his brain felt as if it had gone numb. His entire bodily system going blank, frozen and suspended in time as if he had been frozen. For all Arthur knew, literal ice could be forming on him at this very minute…he knew exactly what Merlin had been holding. He had been gifted, though rarely actually worn one, enough favors to know what a favor was when he saw it. And the silken blue material looked as absolutely divine as Merlin always did, but…why?

Why did Merlin have a favor on him…

"Never you mind what I have!"

Merlin snapped furiously at him, and immediately going on the defensive as he shoved it as deep into his jacket pocket as he could manage it…Arthur felt as if his eyes could've popped out of his head in that moment. A dark flush started to rise to his face, was…was that favor for him? Merlin had already given him a favor once, Arthur still kept the neckerchief tucked away in his bedside drawer for safekeeping, so maybe he would try giving him another one? Perhaps even Merlin had realized neither of them could continue living with all of this angry bitterness between them. That something between them had to give…maybe Merlin realized he needed to do the first move considering Arthur had already tried with their date, so now…it was his turn? And maybe Merlin was acting so defensive because he was embarrassed…embarrassed to be giving Arthur any such thing at all? Embarrassed because he knew this whole thing could've got avoided if Merlin had just accepted the little broach Arthur had been trying his hardest to buy for him earlier.

But this definitely wasn't the season for favors…

Favors were usually passed around whenever there were a big tourney planned or in the works. Or before a major fight that was set to take place…and Arthur didn't have any such fights taking place. The only thing he had was the regular training tests scheduled for that afternoon…but Merlin obviously wouldn't have known how unprofessional it would have been to wear one during their testing time. Testing time was basically proving a knight's worth, determining just who they were as men…coming with a woman's attachment adorning their arm just set a bad precedence. Knights needed to be serious and focused, not trying to show off their personal lives when they needed to be worried more on their combat skills.

Favors were for people who had earned the right to fight for their kingdom.

Not for men who hadn't made it past their basic training yet.

But Arthur…Arthur Pendragon had made it through his basic training so many years ago, and he was the bloody prince! Surely he could make an exception for himself…surely he could wear Merlin's favor if the other boy offered it up to him? … …. … The thought bounced around violently in his skull, as if there was a buzzing beneath his skin…would he do it this time? Would he truly accept the other boy's favor? And wear it proudly on his arm directly in front of the others who might try to take a mickey out of him for it….he would. Arthur felt as if his breath was catching…he really would wear Merlin's favor. If one went back and went through their history together…everything had started to completely shift around when Arthur had first rejected Merlin's neckerchief. He had switched it out with one given to him by Lady Clarissa at the very last minute and that was the catalyst for everything they had happened afterwards.

Arthur could change everything right now.

He could rewrite their very history.

Make it seem as if Arthur had never rejected him in the first place.

He could get back on Merlin's good side…if he only let him.

Arthur Pendragon took a slow and steadying breath in order to calm down his nerves, though the only thing Arthur wanted to do was wear that sheer fabric as if it was the most beautiful and perfect thing of all. Now, Arthur hadn't been able to see much of the cloth before Merlin had hidden it from view, but what he had seen had left Arthur with an ache in his chest. The small and elaborate designs decorating along the edges had spoken of how much work Merlin had put into making this new one, how much of an effort Merlin had put this, even going to Madame Teresa…most people considered that to be very height of a person's truest devotion. The way they turned a simple cloth into something to be shared between two people, but…Merlin's neckerchief had carried a certain …uniqueness, that this favor might not carry…

Plus, it was red…

Why would Merlin turn around and give him a blue one instead? Unless he was trying to fix that first mistake by creating something that was a complete and utterly different entity when compared to the neckerchief…

Why was Merlin's lips getting thinner.,

Why couldn't he stop staring at Merlin's lips…

Why was Merlin starting to look angry with him…

Why did Merlin always look so fascinating when he was angry,..

Even angry at Arthur…

"YOU DISGUSTING PIG!"

Arthur Pendragon nearly jumped a mile in the air when Merlin screamed at him as loud as he could…disgusting pig he had been called…Arthur had never been called a 'disgusting pig' before a day in his life. So why the bloody hell did the consort call him…Arthur started to pale as Merlin stormed past him in a huff of righteous furious anger. Fuck, fuck, fuck…Arthur already knew what it was that he had done wrong. Already knew what it was that had made Merlin stomp off in a wave of indignation. Could he have been anymore stupid! The entirety of Arthur's face could have been glowing from how brightly red it shone, could've been used to light up an entire room instead of using a torch. It was no wonder Merlin had called him a disgusting pig, after having caught Arthur staring right at his lips. Merlin probably thought Arthur was going to try assaulting him for a second time, like some kind of caveman that had never learned what the basic rules of consent was.

"WAIT! Merlin! I didn't mean to…you don't have to go! I wasn't trying to behave weird or anything! It's…it's not what you think!" Arthur shouted after him, and completely ignoring the way Dorian and Tristian were glancing at the other like they wished they could disappear into the floor to not bear witness to such an awful moment. Hell, Arthur would've happily followed behind them if he could have. He could scarcely imagine what Merlin had been thinking when he'd first caught where Arthur was looking…bloody hell! What had Arthur even thought he was doing…he should bloody well scalp himself if he was going to continue making the dumbest of choices. Arthur wanted Merlin to come back so he had the chance to explain it 'really' hadn't been what Merlin had thought, but then again…he was grateful when Merlin disappeared around the corner. It left the prince gritting his teeth, trying to gather what little of his composer he could manage by barking harshly at his knights, "Don't say a word! Just move out."

Arthur spun around on his heel without giving them a second to answer, which was probably for the best, because Arthur didn't think they were going to even answer to begin with. Though they at least fell back in line with him as the men continued their journey deeper into the castle…it would be so easy if he could just bloody well wipe this whole Merlin encounter from his mind. Then Arthur'd not be stuck with all this never ending embarrassment that threatened to try and swallow him whole. And as the group of men were reaching the lowest of levels in the castle, Arthur was struck with an even more horrific thought…

He had never been bloody given his favor.

Merlin had been so furious with him, he had stormed away without giving him the favor he had been working on. Arthur was bloody favor-less! Good god, he really hoped this wasn't going to be a set back. He hoped, even though Merlin thought he was contemplating making another grab for him, that the other boy simply needed a moment to cool off. Yes…cool off. Merlin was probably just as embarrassed by the whole thing as Arthur was. A shared kiss, especially a kiss that had been stolen and not freely given, was a very intimate affair. But once Merlin calmed down and realized things weren't as they were seen…he would probably come back down and give Arthur his favor. Something he'd finally be able to accept with the grace and dignity he should've had the first time…

He simply needed to be patient, and wait for Merlin to come to him…

He just hoped it wouldn't take too long.

X

Knight Julian was sitting on a bench in the corner of the armory, bent down to do up the laces on his boots. He would usually have a servant doing all of this, helping him dress and prepare his armor before he started training. But these last forty eight hours had been a bloody nightmare…he felt so paranoid over all of the littlest things. A shadow out the corner of his eye, that Julian had raised his sword up at in a moment of panic, had been nothing but a statue. A flash of blond hair coming around the corner, that had Julian cowering like some baby chick being faced with a fox for the very first time, had turned out to belong to a serving girl. The clash of swords raging against his skull, had turned out to be nothing more than a couple of overzealous knights practicing…they weren't coming after him as he had originally thought. And things only seemed to grow worse the longer time went on without any resolution to what had happened in the woods that day…he hadn't been able to sleep a wink, positive Arthur would kick down his door the moment he closed his eyes. Hadn't been able to eat for fear he couldn't stomach anything…Julian was a good and loyal soldier. He had been for years, his family was held in good standing with the king, and here he had been trying to follow their lead by leaving his mark on the world…and all of that was about to end.

He knew for a fact that it was about to end…a man could hardly be called out as paranoid if they had every right to be paranoid. The scene, those simple ten minutes out in the woods when things had taken a turn, kept replaying inside of his head like a never ending loop. He kept hearing Bryon's laugh, high and cruel in his eardrums, as he kicked Merlin onto the ground. Kept seeing Merlin attacking in a bid to escape…felt himself starting to panic when he realized the two of them had gone past the normal bounds of a 'prank'. Kept hearing Bryon talking so callously about killing Merlin in order to rid him…unwanted as Merlin may be…the consort had just enough standing in society to cause him all this fright. Maybe not before, but after Merlin had drunk poison and then secured the treaty fresh off his death bed…the entire kingdom felt as if it was holding onto its breath. Waiting to see what Merlin would do next. Waiting to see just what he would do. Waiting to see if the next big event would secure Merlin and his place as consort, or force him back down to the dregs where he had been born…

Julian often felt as if he had been holding his breath during these last forty eight hours…Bryon, after they had both calmed down from escaping the wild beast and realized the severity of leaving Merlin behind…had insisted the two of them play at being normal. And that was exactly what Julian had been doing this whole time, going through the motions…being where he was supposed to be and doing whatever his knightly duties for the day was. Resisting the urges that told him to go after the first person that looked at him funny, for fear that they might have known something. Might have known what had happened…he hadn't gotten any better after having caught sight of Merlin walking around in the lower town with Arthur. Julian had almost had a panic attack that day, and had ran as fast as he could to tell Bryon that Merlin had found his way back to the city. Julian should've been relieved that Merlin seemed relatively okay and that meant they couldn't be arrested…right? Because there was nothing really wrong if Merlin was alive and well, right?

But he hadn't been able to get the image of Merlin and Arthur walking together out of his head, it was so rare that the two of them were actually seen near the same vicinity as the other. He could hardly imagine the stories Merlin must've been spreading to Arthur, could only imagine how seriously screwed the both of them really were. But Bryon, once again, had seemed almost nonchalant to the whole thing, and had told Julian to just keep acting normal. If they could act normal, then when the time came-and it would come-then Merlin would be the one who sounded crazy if he tried accusing them of something. But that's just the thing…Merlin wouldn't have to accuse them of anything! Because they had really done it! They had really tried getting rid of the stain of Camelot…he could practically see his entire future, and his family's, going up in smoke. The Knight just didn't understand how Bryon could possibly act as if they were not going to face repercussions for this! Even unwanted, there was surely going to be a fitting punishment for what they had done to the consort…and speaking of Bryon…

"Can you bloody well stop doing that! All of that damn whistling you have been doing is driving me insane! It's not helping either of us with getting out of this situation!" Julian shouted across the room, to where Knight Bryon was sitting as he tried fitting his shoulder plate into place. Bryon had started up this odd habit of whistling away his days, something Julian was almost positive that he hadn't done before all this. Perhaps the whistling was the only thing that Bryon did to show he wasn't as calm as he portrayed himself as, but it'd been slowly and steadily driving Julian up the wall. If Julian had to hear it one more bloody time, then he might do them all a favor and slit his own throat! "…I just do not understand why you are not worried about any of this! Merlin is probably going on about us to Arthur right this minute! We're going to get executed, and you are over there whistling as if you don't have a single care in the entire world!"

It was as if a bubble inside of Julian's chest had been growing and growing till it finally popped with an earth shattering burst, his paranoia finally getting the best of him. Bryon's whistling stopped abruptly, and he sent Julian a startling nasty glare, but Julian didn't give a flying fuck what Bryon thought. He's grew quite sick of being the only one worrying himself half to death over here…but Knight Bryon had always had things a bit easier than Julian. One of those rare people who felt as if the entire world had been handed over to them from the birth, whose luck had stroked his confidence into a mighty hawk…though for Julian, he feared the knight had bit off far more than he had chewed. A hawk like Merlin was used to fighting bigger and stronger opponents than them…a boy that could dare look a king in the eyes and survive the attack of a beast…with a prince standing near him…neither of them had a chance. And he didn't understand WHY Bryon COULDN'T UNDERSTAND THAT!

"There's nothing to worry about, because there's nothing to worry about. You really need to start thinking about things smarter, instead of working yourself into a frenzy like this. What's that old saying…work smarter, not harder? That sounds like something you could benefit from doing." Bryon said bluntly, as he finally got the latch on his shoulder plate to go through the right hole. And the Knight Julian glared daggers at him…seriously? Julian was over here worrying himself to death over the fact that his head could be rolling away from the ax of the execution, and Bryon was over there quoting proverbs he had probably heard in passing years ago. Bryon had the nerve to roll his eyes as if Julian's the one being unreasonable, the one being bothersome, "Just think for only a second here, Julian? As patronizing as I'm sure you are feeling right now, you need to understand me…didn't you say you saw Merlin talking to Arthur, which is a conversation you weren't even standing close enough to hear, yesterday?"

Julian glowered darkly at Bryon…there was nothing about him that deserved to be patronized for. Most people would rightfully be worried about their sudden impending death approaching the horizon. It was Bryon that was the abnormal one, the weird one, the one who thought he could simply talk his way out from their impending doom. As if Arthur Pendragon would ever be swayed by even a single thing Bryon could tell him. The man had bloody well disappeared right into the night in order to bring his consort back to life…as if Bryon had a single chance in the world at convincing Arthur they weren't in the wrong. Julian was hard pressed on figuring out where Bryon got such self reassurance from. Any noble knight should be smart enough to know and understand when they were absolutely, utterly screwed. And Julian was sick of being the only one to know how absolutely, utterly screwed, they really were.

"Well I would think, if Merlin had bothered telling Arthur anything, he would've came for us at some point YESTERDAY. Arthur's not the type of man to go and draw things out just because he thinks it'll be torment for us…for you. He'd be already on top of getting our execution set up. But considering the two of us are currently getting ready to go to the testing, I'd have to say he doesn't have any plans on actually arresting us." Bryon drawled out, and though he hated to admit Bryon had anything resembling a point…Julian could feel himself start to calm down slightly. Yes…Bryon was right, they would've already been arrested if Arthur knew what had happened. Hell, Arthur was probably readying himself for the latest batch of testing as well…Julian hadn't even wanted to go, since he didn't know how he was meant to look Arthur in the face after what he had done (he wasn't all that concerned about Merlin himself, simply what horrible consequences he would have to face) but Bryon had insisted they needed to if they wanted to elude 'normality'. As if they hadn't somehow attempted murder on a royal. "And anyway, didn't Knight Dorian get arrested last night? Even if it does get blown up, how much do you want to bet that Dorian will somehow get the blame for everything and pay for our crimes in our place? That'd be a twist to finish things off, won't it?"

And Knight Bryon threw his head back, chortling as if it was something that is just so funny…there was a sadistic glee in his eyes that hadn't existed before their assault on Merlin…as if the incident had given Bryon permission to allow some of his more 'baser' instincts out to play. But Julian frowned heavily…he's not entirely sure how he feels about another knight paying for their crimes. As Dorian had worked even harder than the two of them, and stood at a far higher rank than either of them. But…Julian concluded, he supposed that it was really for the best if Dorian took their place for their crimes. Better it be Dorian than him, at least. Julian had worked too hard to get to where he was now, only for all of this to screw up everything! It was such a major inconvenience that may be handled if Dorian just…took their place on the chopping block. Surely any of the gods watching right now would completely understand and not fault him for his decision….he really wasn't willing to lose everything for one mistake the two had done in the heat of the moment.

"As much as that scenario sounds like the best possible outcome for the two of us getting out of this in one piece, there's just one thing I do not understand about that." Julian finally said after a hefty pause, his breath escaping him into an even heftier sigh as he stopped fiddling with his boot. But he clearly had to do something with his hands, unable to keep still because of just how much he was utterly restless, because he almost immediately started tapping fingers along his knee. "Why Dorian? I mean…Merlin knows what happened when we were all in the woods, so how in the world did Dorian get arrested? Did the consort lie to Arthur and pin the whole thing on Dorian…is this whole thing just a load of crock to make us lower their guard before they arrest us instead? I'm not going to be able to rest, Bryon! Until I get some proper answers and will be able to put this whole thing behind us."

Bryon gave him an annoyed glance, clearly agitated that Julian was forcing him to think about their situation properly, instead of brushing the even beneath a metaphorical rug, but Julian didn't bloody care if Bryon was agitated with him over this. He SHOULD bloody well be thinking about it just as Julian was, if so he wouldn't be alone in that regard. Perhaps Julian was starting to go around the bend, but his theories were making more and more sense, in this sickening sort of way. There was no reason for Merlin to try protecting them by refusing to speak the truth…unless he was planning to do something horribly awful with them. Merlin might not be able to do much physically, but this was definitely a thing he could hold over their head for decades…taunting them with their own arrest if they don't do what he said. Turning them into his mindless little drone until he got bored with them and decided to turn them in anyway…a man who'd managed to convince a furious king to sign a treaty had to be creative enough to come up with truly awful and humiliating ways to make them submit…

"You are worrying about this far too much, I tell you! He's probably nothing but a coward, so he's not 'planning' anything. My best guess is he knows that we'll beat his arse if he speaks ill of us. Common filth isn't meant to speak ill of any who stand above them." Bryon said, with an almost superior sniff of his nose, it had Julian frowning deeply…it was as if Bryon had decided to completely go on and ignore the whole 'Merlin is Consort' part of the equation. Yes things would be so much easier if Merlin was 'common filth' but that didn't mean he actually was. And Julian hated the way he was allowing the former 'common boy' slide beneath his skin like this. Putting him on edge and standing on his tip toes for fear one wrong sound would set an army down upon them both. "Besides, it is hardly our fault that the creature tried to kill him! What exactly were we meant to do against a thing like that? Let it kill us instead while that idiot makes a run back for the castle? I'm not going to be a sacrificial lamb for that boy! I'm only sorry it didn't finish the job. Maybe if it had, they'd be no body left behind that would prove anything, and you wouldn't be sounding like a complete and utter nutter."

Julian felt something dark and pulsing starting to snap inside of him, reaching a breaking point as his eye twitched violently…beat him? Bryon really thought he was going to be a part of 'beating Merlin's arse' for a second time? If they did managed to get out of this one, Julian was not going to temp fate by trying all of this all over again. He would be grateful if he never saw that little snot again in his life, yet alone be arrested for pre-meditated murder once again. Bryon's true colors were really showing though, in an alarmingly worrisome manner by speaking of Merlin's death so easily…perhaps everything really would be easier if Merlin had been stomped to death and his corpse dragged off to wherever a beast like that lived, but Julian's paranoia told him they would've still ended up caught one way or the other. A whispering of cold air made goosebumps grow on his forearms, and he could've sworn it was Merlin's ghost promising all the worse tricks a poltergeist could pull. Haunting them until they took knives onto their own throats in order to escape the…waking in the night, things flying from one end of the room to the other, things going missing or appearing in a place he hadn't left it, looking in a mirror and seeing Merlin's broken face-perhaps a eye would be dangling from the socket to bounce along his cheek-staring back at him. Julian had to forcibly remind himself, by violently shaking his head, that Merlin wasn't actually dead. So the cold air on his heated flesh wasn't a thing more than the armory getting a draft again. This far down into the castle, that was prone to happening…

"You shouldn't speak of such things easily, not when anybody can hear you! I am sure these walls have eyes, and there are spies everywhere. Anybody can take that as a direct threat to the consort's safety and decide to take it up the chain straight to Arthur! And you'd still be arrested!" Julian hissed dangerously through his clenched teeth, but Bryon simply rolled his eyes at him as if all this was nothing more than Julian being melodramatic.Julian swore he could feel a harsh cracking in what was left of his self restraint starting to go up in smoke… "Bryon…this was supposed to be a bloody prank!" He shouted, rising up to his feet and throwing his hands down harshly against his thighs. "Merlin had been meant to come stumbling back to the castle after a few days, half starved and with his clothes ripped and showing everybody he's just as much of a mess as a consort as he was before he drunk the poison for Arthur! He wasn't meant to fight against us! He wasn't supposed to hear us talking about wanting to leave him out there for good…god! How did all of this blow up so bloody fast!"

Julian practically threw his face into his hands, sliding up so that he was able to grasp his hair by the roots, pulling hard enough to feel some of the shorter strands starting to pull out. But he didn't care, he would be grateful if all of his hair fell out overnight, as long as it also meant this whole bloody nightmare is over! How could he have allowed himself to get so far entangled into this awful treasonous plot…how could he have followed Bryon's lead so easily! Julian was usually the stick in the mud, the one worrying the most over training and what their regulations were and doing things by the book…trying to kill the Consort of Camelot was not doing things by the book! In fact, it was doing things that went directly against the book! He might as well just rip up the entire book for the hell of it, and join a band of bandits before he could be disgraced in front of all Camelot! In front of the prince! The king himself! God help him, he was going to have a complete and utter mental breakdown if this couldn't end up resolved soon!

"JULIAN! STOP THAT!" Bryon shouted over his roaring thoughts, having risen to his feet as well, and slapping a heavy hand down onto Julian's shoulder to get his attention. "You are absolutely spiraling, and let me tell you, it is about to start freaking me out." And Julian peeked up out of his hands, giving him a short glare…this? This was what was freaking him out? Julian freaking out and not the huge target they both had printed across their backs? "You've just got to remember that Merlin's been back in the city for a whole day now, and not a thing has happened to us yet. So clearly Arthur isn't concerned, or we would have already been in the middle of an investigation of something. And hey, just think about our reputation verses his…it's not a no brainer who people would be willing to believe if it came down to it."

Julian took in a shuddering breath trying to think through that…yes. When all things came down to it…reputation really was the key. And Merlin had always held the reputation of being the worst consort in Camelot history, practically since the beginning of his marriage. One little incident where he saved their prince and kingdom here and there was hardly going to change the public's opinion for long. Even if they were holding their breath right now, waiting to see which way the tides were going to turn for Merlin…it always ended exactly the same. With Merlin on the bottom of the totem pole. And then there was the two of them to consider…they had impeccable records nearly from the start of their time here in Camelot as knights. Never got into serious trouble, did what they were told for the good of the kingdom, had plenty of people they'd been friendly with over the years and knew would take their sides in a heartbeat…yes. It really all came down to reputation. And with Merlin's in tatters…who was going to believe him compared to them? As long as they worked the story out and stuck to it so there was no inconsistencies that could get them caught…it would be okay. It had to be. His life as a knight was depending on it…

"And then, we only have to wait a few weeks before things start to settle back down into normality before we try something else. Once this all blows over, it'll not fall back on us once Merlin really is gone." Bryon said cheerfully, and Julian jerked himself back startled…was he really serious? Was Bryon still trying to go on with this insane plan of ridding Merlin from Camelot for good? Julian would have thought Bryon would be like him, grateful for it to end but also not willing to risk it all over again…had Bryon really fallen that far past madness? The man seemed to have caught Julian's look though and gave him an exasperated look in return. "I'm fucking disfigured because of him. You can't honestly think I will allow him to go unpunished after he scarred me? Consort or not, he should've known better than to lay a hand on a knight."

Bryon raised a hand to place it against his jawline, to show Julian where there were three long gashes vaguely the same shape of Merlin's nails…where their consort had scratched him during their scuffle with the tree branch. The other had really gotten Bryon pretty good, and Julian wondered how exactly Bryon is going to explain them away. Those marks on his face-Julian would hardly have called him disfigured though-were more evidence stacked against them. Especially if Merlin also had blood stuck beneath his nails to prove he was responsible for those marks. Perhaps Bryon could just say a particularly vicious cat had ended up getting a hold of him…it wasn't the strangest story. Knights had gotten all manner of marks from dealing with animals, and this would be no different…as long as Bryon didn't do anything to drag attention onto them!

"You are absolutely mad if you really think I'm going along with you again!" the knight exclaimed loudly, balling his hands into fists as his side. Bad enough for Bryon to be showing off the wound Merlin gave him like it was a mark meant to encourage vengeance, but then he goes and refuses to let this whole deluded plan of his die! "You and I both know there is something that's incredibly weird about Merlin! He always manages to survive! Not just us, but do remember the fact that he practically rose from the dead just a few weeks ago! And managed to win the favor of the Mercian King! And pulled our prince from the fire, going ahead and letting it burn himself as he drunk that poisoned goblet, and Merlin is still out and about and walking around! He's either a cockroach and nothing is going to kill him, or there's something much more disturbing going on! And I for one, don't wish to find out just in case we piss him off by not heeding what warning he is giving us now! We need to back off before this delves into some kind of war between us and him!"

Julian didn't care if this was his delusions acting up again, or his paranoia that was screaming at him to turn tail and run as fast as he could before he ended up struck down. Merlin was the strangest creature he had ever met, who had a habit of surviving incidents that would've killed any other. Not just the once or the twice, but over and over again…Merlin seemed to reanimate before all their very eyes. Rising from the dead like some kind of undead beast that one would have only heard about in folktales during a campfire on sahamin night, which is arguably the scariest night of the year. The night those who'd departed out the earthly plane were allowed to return and wreck their havoc…Julian could see the consort being like that. A figure in his nightmares surrounded by shadows and fog, casting an eerie shape just waiting to chomp into Julian's flesh…the briefest of gold light hinting through the shadows as Merlin lifted his head, the light only making a reflective glow bounce off of Merlin's eyes. Julian would most likely crap himself if he saw such a sight in person, which was precisely why Julian was going to spend the rest of his life avoiding Merlin. No, and if's or buts…if he saw Merlin, then he was going in the other direction. He didn't care if that made others call him a coward, he preferred to call it his survival instincts just trying to keep him alive! Because really, if a raging beast hadn't been able to get Merlin, then what luck would the two of them really have to begin with?

"Do we really need to go through this again? For one…the Mercian King's all the way in Mercia so it's not like he's gonna do anything to stop us. And what can he really do to retaliate, he'd be causing an all out war. And Merlin is not worth that kind of pain or effort, no matter how much the king may have liked him. He isn't going to risk getting into Camelot's affairs when the treaty is still so new. And not to mention, Merlin isn't some kind of all knowing being who is going to know when an attack is launched against him! He's human, and Merlin does bleed. So there is a way to take him out, we've just gotta find it-" Bryon is telling him, as if he's already got this grand plan worked out for how they could get rid of the consort for good…he probably expected Julian to have another plan for how they could cover their tracks…alibis and whatnot that would have proved they were nowhere near where the accident had taken place. But nope! It was not going to work! No way, no how, was Julian going to allow himself to go falling for such stupidity again! He had learned his lesson, and that's simply all there is to it! "Besides, remember what Markus said…the king didn't go and give Merlin the Consort Crown so he probably isn't as accepting as he tries to act like he is! So he'll thank us! And Arthur, once he gets over the whole thing, will be relieved. I mean, Merlin's not known as Unwanted, for nothing, right?"

Julian scrunched up his entire face in sheer disgust…Bryon was banking on a lot of things for all of this to go right like he thought it would. For one thing…he was arguing that MARKUS was right. The knight that had a stick shoved up his arse ever since Arthur started slowly distancing himself from him in order to spend more time with Merlin. But while Markus might've suggested all this pranking stuff, he wasn't actually a part of the 'prank' they had pulled. So it's them that's on the line! Not Markus. Not Christian. The two of them! They are the ones that are going to get into trouble. And don't even get him started on that whole…king doesn't care just because he didn't give Merlin a crown upon his brow theory…that theory was much too thin for Julian to put any real kind of weight behind it.

"Do I really have to beg you to just let this whole matter die!" Julian exclaimed in a loud tone, turning his face away to glare daggers at the floor…Julian was almost worried that Bryon would go ahead and try something even without him there. And while he wouldn't particularly care if Bryon got ended because he'd bit off more than he could chew by refusing to heed Julian's words, it would be a lot quieter without the man around. "What happened out in the woods wasn't anything more than an accident, a prank that got out of hand! And I'm sure the prince will agree if we are ever forced to explain that to him. But you are doing so much more than that right now. This is going further than a prank, or trying to get petty revenge for marks that might scar your face but will hardly be that noticeable. This is treason! And if you continue down this path, then I fear that this is going to be the end for you-"

They both went stark white, frozen exactly where they stood when the door was suddenly swinging open, crashing loud enough against the opposite wall that dust went spraying everywhere. And both Julian and Bryon were scared to look and see, not knowing if this mystery person had heard what they had said through the door or not, but eventually…one of them had to turn and look just to see who was encroaching in on their private conversation. And yes…it was so much worse than it could've been. The worse person in the world stood just in front of them, trapping them inside the room and leaving not one place or an opening for them to run…the blood drained from their faces. Hearts dropping to their boots…mouths going dryer than the Sahara desert…

"Good evening boys," Arthur Pendragon said, an almost frostily cold smile was gracing his thin lips. He looked extraordinarily calm, his hands tucked behind his back as if he didn't have a single care in the world. But his thin lips and the two knights-Dorian was out of jail, apparently, when had that happened?-that stood at his backside, and the swirling blue eyes that looked like the vacuums from space threatening to suck them in…told a completely different story than the one they were hoping they would've heard. "I have just recently heard the most daunting of stories, it was really quite interesting. And I believe that the two of you might be able to shed some kind of light onto it for me."

…They were so utterly screwed.

X

On the other side of the castle, Merlin Pendragon was still in one horrid hell of a mood, his hands clenched dangerously as his sides as he stomped along the grounds towards his home at Gaius…he was cursing violently under his breath …he was cursing all manner of things. Arthur Pendragon ever being born, and Arthur Pendragon ever growing up, and himself for ever being married to such a stupid no good little…clout! His bad mood seemed to be reflecting upon his face, because the people he passed were literally jumping out of his way just to get safely from his wrath being directed at them. Merlin had given up with staying to the less populated areas, just wanting to return home as fast as he was able too after Arthur's…

Ugh!

A shiver of disgust roiled down his spine, unable to get the image of Arthur and his eyes darting down to Merlin's lips…Merlin hadn't even been biting on them like Arthur hated him doing! And yet, Arthur's eyes still found their way to them…it made Merlin want to bloody wall claw his own lips and bury them somewhere Arthur would never be able to find them. His mouth would forever taste like sand, but it would've been a very small price to pay if they wouldn't taste like bloody Arthur…fuck! For a man who threw a fit about being straight every time Merlin did something that was 'gay' he sure bloody well spent too much time staring at Merlin. Maybe it was his whole 'Merlin is his' thing he'd been spewing on about back when Merlin was poisoned…maybe he thought it also meant Merlin's lips was his for the taking…? Ugh! Arthur Pendragon was just too much drama, and too much complication for Merlin to even want to go thinking about him! Maybe Merlin should do something major to get Arthur off his back…something that was extremely 'gay' that would have Arthur jumping back to his normally crude self. At least Merlin would know what to expect out of that crudeness. The Arthur now though…was an even bigger freak than he'd ever been!

But…Merlin's hand wondered down to his pocket, where he could feel this very small lump…he couldn't believe that Arthur had seen it. Couldn't believe he'd almost touched it! There was no way Merlin could've given it to Gwen to give to Lancelot if Arthur's nasty flesh had contaminated it. But luckily, it appeared that Merlin had faster reflexes than Arthur, and had managed to hide it away…it had been hard enough going over the design he wanted with Madame Teresa a first time! A second time, and so soon after the first one, would have made him look quite foolish indeed. Especially considering she had just assumed that his favor was for Arthur…Merlin had felt sick at the idea of giving Arthur one more favor that would only end in the trash somewhere. But he had also been a little too scared to admit it was for another man…he had been worried she wouldn't do it! Even if it was for a friend to give it to said man…nobles were complicated with all their rules and strictness. He hadn't wanted to risk being turned away…so he had done what he had needed to do.

He only hoped it would all be worth it, once Gwen and Lancelot got the happy ending he'd been denied.

If he wasn't going to be allowed his happiness, then he would damn well make sure Gwen got hers.

X

Knight Bryon and Knight Julian stood shoulder to shoulder, with their heads bowed down to look at the ground, hands tucked behind their backs. While the prince, Arthur Pendragon slowly paced back and forth in front of them…though anybody else would've claimed Arthur was 'stalking.' What he was doing…not a soul could have simply described it as 'pacing'. No, Arthur was stalking the two of them, waiting to see which one would break first, waiting to see which one's going to be the crowning jewel that he broke beneath his heel. While his other Knights, Dorian and Tristian, stood in front of the door. They were both stony faced, which was a surprise considering Tristian was usually a jokester, and it gave no hint to Julian and Bryon what they should be expecting.

"As I was telling you earlier," Arthur finally spoke, and though his voice didn't sound any louder than he normally spoke, both Bryon and Julian flinched as if he had just yelled at them. Or as if an explosion had gone off. The two knights were practically shaking in their boots in fear, even Bryon with all of the brave bravado he had been sprouting off before Arthur had came into the room, had started shrinking in on himself. They honestly had no idea what either of them were in for, and that only made them more frightened. "I was told quite an interesting story, but I would like to ask if you care to tell me exactly what happened. Before I tell you what I think happened myself."

Bryon and Julian glanced at the other with pure terror etched across their very faces, so much terror that one had to wonder whether or not fighting the beast would've been a better alternative than facing the dragon that would be Arthur Pendragon. But Arthur was waiting for them to speak, calm and collected…not giving any hint of impatience for them taking their time. But neither boy knew what they should say…should they start sprouting out lies and alibis that might contradict the other and only land them in more hot water? Or should they just confess to their sins and hope Arthur may show mercy onto their souls…luckily, they didn't need to decide on an answer. Because Arthur once again spoke up for his consort's sake.

"Perhaps we should just start from the beginning, and inform you what your very first infraction was, would that be easier for you?" Arthur questioned, his sneer prominent and it was clearly a rhetorical question. Neither knight would nod for fear that it would only drag Arthur's attention straight to them…Arthur walked another pacing-stalking-line in front of them before he spoke. Though Julian was positive if Arthur was some kind of jungle cat, he would have a long tail swishing behind him to show how close he was to murder. "I think, the very first thing that happened after you accosted my consort, was taking him to see these two men who happened to be on gate duty. And when they had dared to try questioning whether or not you should be in the vicinity of my consort, you took it upon yourself to invoke orders under my name. Orders that would give you full permission to walk out of these walls with my consort in hand. Orders that I do not recall giving, and trust me, I believe I would remember giving out orders that meant taking my consort from the safety of the walls. Do you deny having done this?"

Both Julian and Bryon seemed to pale even more, looking positively ghastly…if they had any hope that this whole incident was some kind of misunderstanding then it was practically washed away with those words. There was no denying it or lying about it or talking their way out of this…Arthur knew what they had done. And Julian felt as if he was about to start crying like a baby, a wet sheen coating his eyes…pathetic, it was for a knight to be crying like this. But there's very little else Julian could've done…they were caught red handed. And this is just Arthur playing with them, taunting them, laughing at them while he knew it was only a signature away from their death records being on the books.

"We're innocent!"

Knight Julian almost had a heart attack when those words bursted from Knight Bryon's lips like the shot of a cannon being launched in the sky. Julian's eyes were wide enough that they could've fallen straight from his head…what the ever loving fuck was Bryon doing! What the hell was he doing dragging Julian into a new batch of lies! Didn't he know that they were caught? Didn't he know that trying to lie about it was going to only end up with them in more trouble than they already were? Forget being executed! They would be…they would be …what was worse than an execution? Maybe the humiliation that would come with their family lands and titles being stripped from the remaining family that they had…nothing was worse than the public humiliation that came with being so dishonored in front of the court. Not even execution. But though Julian was practically screaming at Bryon to tell him what he was up too, Bryon refused to look back at him. He had his eyes sorely on Arthur, who'd stopped his pacing to arch a thick eyebrow up his forehead. Clearly not believing a word that was about to come out Bryon's mouth, but content to allow Bryon to create his own grave and bury himself in it.

"I don't know what your consort may have told you, sire. But I can assure you it is nothing but lies, my lord. Nothing more than him trying to save himself or get us into trouble. Let me guess, he told you that we were attacked by some kind of creature in the woods and we ran off and allowed him to fight it off for himself, didn't he?" Bryon asked, his tone surprisingly steady as he told Arthur the truth of what happened. Julian's eyebrow was twitching violently, and he's sweating buckets down his spine, and he could claw his own damn eyes out to escape this whole thing, and yet…Arthur did nothing more than raise his brow a bit higher up his forehead. Dark amusement creeping into his eyes, as if he's unable to believe what Bryon was really trying to pull off here, and all that the Knight Julian wanted to do was scream at Bryon to shut the fuck up. "But what I bet he didn't tell you was what really happened…how Knight Julian and, also myself of course, tried pulling Consort Merlin from the scene in order to take him to safety. I admit, using your name to go out there was wrong, but Consort Merlin was insistent that he needed time away from the castle and we couldn't allow him to go alone. But it was the only way to get out of the gates…but he'd been very belligerent and rude right from the beginning. Outright antagonistic right from the start. Refused to listen to one word either of us said, storming off the trail and refusing to come back, and when we got attacked, he refused to come with us. He was costing us precious time to make an escape, said we weren't his keepers and couldn't tell him what he should do. We've never had anybody outright refuse our help to escape such a dangerous situation, and I admit that we acted poorly, but he was risking all of our lives. And we did what we were trained to do when a soldier is exhibiting a high risk behavior that could put all of us in danger…we cut him loose. I simply apologize and humbly place myself before your mercy for not coming to report the incident to you as soon as it happened, and ask that you not be too harsh with Merlin. It seemed as if he was going through a lot at the time, and I hardly hold what happened against him. I hope that you will do the same."

What…

The ever…

Loving…

Fuck.