Chapter 15 [Arthur's Chambers—Another Quarter of an Hour Later]

[A/N: This is a different twist on Merlin's lessons in armor from the second episode.]

Merlin followed Arthur into his chamber. Questions popped up in his mind. Armor? What do I know about armor? Why could I not have asked Gwen and her father first so I wouldn't look like a complete idiot first?

Gwen….

Great. She was not happy about the Princess' praising me. I deflected that praise. I was just doing my duty. I saved her and Britomart from those Cawdorian knights. We are servants. Princess Mithian's royalty. Uther made my place *really clear*. Merlin shook his head. He felt a hard shove. "Sorry."

Impatience narrowed Arthur's eyes at Merlin. A terse breath rasped between clenched teeth. "Stop daydreaming like a girl! I have to lead that patrol!" He pointed toward the far cabinet. "I know you have seen my chain mail and gear in there. Lay it out across the bed." He changed tops, pants and boots. His mouth curled into a frown. "I cannot figure you out, Merlin."

Restraint kept Merlin's desired response in check. Remember you are still learning. "You cannot figure out…?" Merlin brought out the chain mail. He placed hauberk, wrist braces, belt and scabbard, sword, helmet and sur coat. One by one, he laid each piece on the bed. He stepped back from the bed.

Arthur conceded a nod. "You have all of the pieces." He raised an eyebrow. "I try to figure you out. How is it that sometimes you can barely get around the castle without tripping on a chamber pot or doing something stupid? But something happens…you face me in the Lower Town, that situation in the Great Hall or what happened in that meadow…and you become this whole other person. I wish I could figure you out. Which one are you really?"

"I wish I knew, Sire." Merlin bit his lip. That is a question. Gaius' advice about keeping his head down came to mind at that point. Adjustments from village life to the big citadel/city spun his head. The citadel had more people than Ealdor…or that part of the Essetir for that matter. Wonders still popped up in his path. Inferiority dogged his steps at every point. Arthur's conflicting sides came up for him as well. Brash bully? Father's son? Noble leader?

Maybe it is for you to shape him into that Once and Future King…. Kilgarrah's words echoed through his mind.

Merlin forced himself back to the situation at hand. He picked up the chain mail. "Ready for this?"

"Aye. That is a good first step. Make sure the hood is in the back. That is a coif." Arthur let Merlin slip the chain mail on the right way. "Now the sur coat." He let Merlin put that on as well. "Now the hauberk. That's the piece that goes over my neck and shoulders. Impress me."

Merlin kept a straight face. Remember the Princess' concern. We have to keep her parents and brother safe. He hefted the piece and put it down a bit too hard…partially on Arthur's head before it settled into place.

"Watch what you're doing!" Arthur cuffed Merlin on the arm. "Be careful!" He held his arms out. "Put the wrist supports on me." Annoyance bristled at him. He watched Merlin do so. "Better. Secure the buckles in the back." He secured his own wrist braces.

Merlin nodded. He secured the hauberk's buckles in place. "Your belt." He pulled the belt around Arthur's waist. He raised the helmet from the bed. "On your head?"

"Under my left arm will be fine." Arthur's tone softened again. He allowed Merlin to slip the helmet under the designated arm in question. "Fine. Anything else? Like how I would defend myself?" Temper prompted a hard clearing of his throat. He forced himself to stop at that point.

Merlin stepped back and looked Arthur over. "I…oh!" His eyes rolled at himself. He picked up the sword and brought it to the Prince. "I…"

"In the scabbard, Merlin." Arthur curled his lip. Once again, the 'how can he do this but not that?' rant ran through his head. "Ease it in there!"

"Okay." Merlin puffed out a deep breath. He set the sword into its sheath. "No shield?"

Arthur forced a cough. "Nay, Merlin. You forget a sword but remember a shield?" He eyed his sword in its scabbard. He nodded. "Passable for a first time. Work on it." He sucked in a deep breath. Diplomatic implications weighed on his shoulders. Legend and Dark Stories circulated about the Red Knight of Cawdor. Scorch and Burn defined that one's campaigns. Intimidation chilled Arthur's heart for a few heartbeats. He used us to get at Nemeth! Really? Indignation burned at him.

"Those knights scared me. They were worse than the ones who used to raid our village for Mercia." Merlin rubbed the back of his neck. "Just talking about myself."

"That's because you are a servant. I am the Prince, Merlin. I cannot afford to get scared. Now come on. Follow me outside. I'll need you to saddle my horse. Then stay here. You can learn from the Princess and her maid while I am gone with the knights." Arthur led Merlin out the door and back into the passage.

Yeah. I know I'd be scared. Magic or no magic. An idea dawned on Merlin. He grabbed a cloak and hood from a nearby laundry basket. Then he pressed on after Arthur.

Training was about to take on a whole new twist….