Chapter 14: Friendly talks and pranks come to light

Perspective Arthur

As soon as the world started moving again the knight hit the ground with a booming crash sound, one that was not quite loud enough to drown out the agonising scream. Arthur looked towards Merlin to see that the man was already sprinting towards the arena, medical bag on shoulder and a serious expression on his face. The second the knight had fallen Gwen had raised her hand to stop the fight, allowing Merlin onto the arena -followed by Leon and Percival to assist in any way he needed.

Arthur watched in awe as Merlin took charge of the situation, the previous shyness long forgotten as he got to work analysing the injuries, giving out orders and re assuring the knight in pain. It didn't take long for the injuries to be stablised enough for Percival to help the fallen knight over to the medical tent, where Merlin continued to treat the wounds.

Gaius was right, Merlin would make a fantastic physician... he already did.

(Mini Time jump) Perspective Outsider.

So far the rest of the tournament has gone as expected, Merlins treated 6 knights and sent another 3 down to Gaius for more extensive treatment, he's also completed some extra sevant jobs during some rounds and has ensured all the knights have been drinking water.

Despite Merlin encouraging Arthur to go and watch the fighting the former king has insisted that he can apparently multi-task by keeping Merlin company and watching the knights fight, in response to which Merlin just rolled his eyes.

It was now almost time for the the second phase to end and the third to begin, so Merlin and Arthur were back inside Sir Leons tent preparing it for his return. So far most of the fighting has been amoungst the new candidates, along with a couple example fights from Camelots strongest. However now that only a select number of knights remain it will be time for them to face off against the greatest, (needing to last a total of 2 minutes in the battle to qualify). This was the part Merlin enjoyed at least a little more, he enjoyed being able to watch his friends fight -and there was always far less casualties considering the knights were so skilful and smooth .

"so Merlin , what do you think of the remaining knights? Anyone who's fighting style you particularly admired?" Arthur was sitting on the table watching Merlin work.

Merlin didn't look up from his task as he responded with "i wouldn't know".

Even without looking up from his organising Merlin could feel the dramatic eye roll his dear friend had given him. "Yeah right, I know you've been busy Merlin but don't think I haven't noticed you pausing to watch every so often"

"And don't even try to pretend you don't know what 'good fighting' looks like , you've been watching me and my knights train for years" Arthur added as almost an afterthought.

At this Merlin did stop working, he let out a sigh and put on his best 'thoughtful' expression as he responded with "I guess after watching Gwaine and Lance for so long I have picked up on a few things"

"Hey!" Arthur picked up one of the rags the other had placed on the table, to throw it at his insufferable idiot of a friend. He smiled happily at the bright smile Merlin returned to him. "On the contrary to what your crush might have you believe Gwaine and Lancelot are not the only good fighters I've had in my army." Arthur smirked triumphantly as he watched Merlins cheeks tint pink, his previously mischievous eyes now turning wide. Arthur was truly in love.

"i certainly do not have a crush on Gwaine and I know full well that Leon, Elyan and Percival are all excellent fighters too"

Before Arthur could respond Gwaines voice startled the pair out from there banter.

"Merls?"

Perspective Merlin

Merlin felt his heart leap to the moon and back at hearing Gwaines sudden voice. Honestly he was so caught up with his banter with Arthur he had forgotten the rest of the world existed. He took slight relief at noticing Arthur also visibly jumped at the sound , so at least Arthur can't tease him about that later.

Merlin turned towards Gwaine, hoping that in the lighting the others wouldn't notice the blush which had only gotten stonger since his little jump. "Gwaine, Hey! I thought you'd be with Leon and the other knights ?"

"i was, but Leon needed to return the results of phase two to the tent before coming, he said you'd be here so he'd catch me up." There was something un readable about Gwaines expression, it was certainly friendly, energetic and caring as always but there was something else there that Merlin just couldn't read. "Now did you want to tell me who you was talking to a second ago or..."

Merlin couldn't help but cringe as Gwaine trailed off, how on earth was he supposed to explain this one?

"Arthur?" Merlin responded tentatively.

At seeing the shock and worry that flashed across both Arthur and Gwaines faces he added in his most believable pranking voice "kidding!" Followed by a laugh that he really hoped sounded less nervous than it felt. "Wow, do you all seriously think i'm on the verge of some sort of mental break or something... really i'm fine" he put as much emphasis on the ending there just to really sell it. He did his best to ignore the look Arthur was giving him (which looked impressivly close to Gaius's signature expression) and instead focus on Gwaine.

However, it was not Gwaine who answered first, instead leon spoke as he made his way into the tent. "We're glad to hear that Merlin, but you should know it won't stop any of us from worrying about you"... "especially not Gwaine here, you know he'd kill anyone and everyone if it meant protecting you, very much like Arthur in that way" he added, although it was obvious he was trying to hide his nervous about bringing up Arthur to Merlin, likely having only heard the second half of Merlins previous statement.

"too right!" Arthur and Gwaine responded in unison. Merlin couldn't help but laugh and shake his head at them fondly. He also couldn't help that as soon as Leon brought up about the protectivness the other two felt towards him it brought back that blush he'd just been able to push away.

"right well thank you all, but we don't have long until phase 3 begins so i need to switch Leon back into his fighting armour, Gwaine there is a pressent waiting for you in your tent." Merlin had gone through and added cantaloupe into his friends waters, not only does it make for better taste but is also high in potassium, magnesium and vitamins A and C.

For a moment Gwaine looked as though he was going to continue the earlier conversation. Luckily Leon forever seemed to be Merlins hero, cut him off "Merlins right, being the most trusted knights means we should be ready before any of the others". As Leon spoke he tapped Gwaines shoulder reassuringly before making his way over to Merlin.

Merlin sent his best friend a kind smile before getting to work with Leons armour. Finally Gwaine seemed to drop it "yeah alright" , he stepped towards Merlin to ruffle his hair playfully before continuing "your doing a great job Merls, thanks for the present".

"no problem" Merlin replied happily after successfully swatting away the offending hands. And with that Gwaine left, so Merlin turned his attention back to the Man infront of him, only glancing a brief look towards Arthur in the process. Said ghost was looking at him with that strange (yet breathtaking beautiful) look again, the one as if Arthurs seen something incredible for the first time. Logically Merlin knows he must be reading that look wrong though -afterall he's not doing anything amazing or special- so Arthur must just be daydreaming about something (or someone) else, however it doesn't stop the flustered feeling spreading back through him, the blush he'd been trying so hard to get rid of was now spreading down his neck. Merlin did his best to focus back to the task at hand, ducking his head while he worked to hopefully avoid the attention of both otheres in the room.

Perspective Leon

After Gwaine left the tent Merlin had gone back to working on his armour. The younger had left a jug of cantaloupe water beside where Leon was now standing, so he poured himself a glass and sat in the chair while Merlin worked on his upper Armour, he knew he'd need to stand again when it came to the lower half so Leon took his opportunity to sit while he could.

Leon noticed the way Merlin was working quietly, keeping his head down and eyes fixated on the armour. The other was clearly lost in his own thoughts while working, and Leon had to wounder if it has something to do with the pink he'd noticed before Merlin had ducked his head down to work. He doesn't know what the others were talking about before he entered the tent, but Merlin looked greatful for his interruption. Whatever they had been talking about though Gwaine definitely looked concerned, so Leon thought it was maybe best to let the other prossess his thoughts before he starts his own conversation.

Once Merlin had moved onto his lower amour Leon decided to speak up before he ran out of time.

Just as Leon opened his mouth to speak the queen chose that moment to enter the tent. "Your majesty" Leon spoke while bowing his head in respect.

"Leon" Gwen bowed her head back to him, "Merlin, i trust you and Leon have talked about the results? "

Leon winced at Merlins look of shock, confusion and slight panic, he was looking between both of them rapidly now, mouth opening and closing multiple times before finally asking "wha...?, why ?" , "why would you want to talk to me about the results, I don't know the first thing about knighting or good fighting".

Oops, okay maybe he should have realised that Gwen would also want to talk to Merlin about it before the tournament began. He sent both of them an apologetic look before explaining " sorry my Lady, I hadn't brought it up yet."

Luckily the Queen was always wise and understanding, she just gave both a re assuring smile before explaining. "No problem at all Leon, sorry I should have given you more time.", she turned her attention back to Merlin before continuing "relax Merlin, there's nothing to worry about we've just come across something unexpected when goining through the results list's"

At hearing this the panic seems to have subsided, but it's replaced with concern and more confusion. Gwen continued quickly "we've noticed your name has been added to the final results list, confirming that you have qualified for knights training".

And like that the panic is back, Merlins eyes are wide and frantically looking between the both of them again "what? How? But i'm not a knight i ..." Suddenly he seems to calm down, his features morth from that of confusion into realisation as he looks accusingly at the table on other side of the tent. Leon locked eyes with Gwen who seems just as confused with Merlins behaviour. They shared a silent conversation until Merlin sighs speaking softly - regaining boths attention. "It wasn't me, i swear"

Quickly Leon reached out to comfort his friend, placing a hand on the boy's shoulder as he spoke "we know that Merlin, your not in trouble I promise. I know Arthurs hand writing well enough, I could recognise it anywhere.

Finnally Merlin stopped looking at the table as if this was all it's fault, and instead turned towards Leon to give him a relieved look with a small thankful smile.

"we know it wasn't you, but did Arthur talk to you about it at all ?"

"no"... " well he's always made the occasional joke about it but that's it, you know what he's like"

Both Leon and Gwen chuckled at this, as they did in fact know what Arthur was like, he may have always hid behind banter and jokes with Merlin but they both knew how much they cared for each other and how worried Arthur was that something might happen to Merlin. However signing Merlin up for knight training without telling the poor servant is exactly the kind of thing the king would do.

It was Gwen that spoke next, her voice gentle and friendly as it always was when she was alone with her friends: "Look Merlin, I know you probably think Arthur just did this as a joke or to mess with you, but he's written your name in ink on an official document, which means we have to take it as his final wish."

Merlins eyes had gone wide with shock again, and seriously trust Arthur to be able to put Merlin through all of this even after he died.

"but i'm not a knight or a noble?"

"Neither was Percival, Elyan or ... Lance" Gwens voice wavered a bit on Lancelot, still raw with guilt and grief , she took a breath before continuing again "he didn't even know Gwaine was until after he knighted him", "my point is he changed that rule, I could very well knight you if you want me to, but you also don't have to, you just have to join in with some of the training ... for Arthur"

Although Gwens voice is as sweet as always it's clear that theres no use arguing, Merlin must see this too because after sending some more dagger glares to that poor table his eyes soften as he bows his head in defeat and acceptance.

"Great, the third phase of the tournament is about to begin so i'll let you both finish up"

Just as Gwen left the tent Merlins head snapped up. "Wait i don't have to fight in the tournament do i?!"

Leon couldn't help a soft laugh at that, he quickly squeezed his friends shoulder in a reassuring manner "no, no. Arthur's not that mean he's put you down in the list as if you already qualified so you do not need to fight anyone."

At that Merlin let out a long calming breath, before giving Leon an appreciative nod. "Okay...okay that's good then, thank you"

And then Merlin went back to finishing the armour, but not before sending another dagger like glare at that poor table.

notes

i'm so sorry it's been so long since i uploaded, I really suck at this. But hopefully this nice long chapter makes up for it a little .

i was certainly not prepared for how long of a story this was going to be, but I really hope i'm doing it okie.

Thank you soo much for reading and sticking with the story I really really appreciate. Please feel free to leave feed back, i'm not good at responding but I always check the comments before writing the next chapter.

(also when Merlins glaring at the table he was actually glaring at Arthur but Leon can't see Arthur )