Merlin, muck the horses, clean the floors, be my training dummy... Merlin, clean the tank leeches, go to the Lord Gods Who Knows What with that potions, and then, then: Merlin, I need another bag of black elderberries.

Do I have any time for myself? NO! Between Arthur's foolishness and Gaius' old age and need for help, I have little or no time. And now... now…

I started talking to myself. Great, just great!

A disturbing rustling was heard in the distance, along with sounds resembling the squawk of an eagle. Merlin looked around slightly worried, and picked up another bunch of elderberries Uncle Gaius, the court physician, had requested. He knew the beast was wreaking havoc in the village closer to Camelot, but he hadn't suspected it would be in the woods just outside the citadel walls. Perhaps he was wrong.

Moving faster than before, he picked all the herbs and stuffed his pack. He felt the presence of an unknown force, but his mind was still on the fight with Arthur this morning. Or rather, the prince's shouting at him, for how dare he, a servant, disappear the day before. Arthur believed yet more of Gaius' nonsense about Merlin going to the tavern, though he had never seen him drunk. I'm really fed up with his obviousness, I hunt monsters or greedy nobles and dark magic users to the death almost every week. Yesterday was a shining example of that, when I end up with high fewer and bruised ribs, unable to work. I needed ONE DAY of rest, and what did I get? Ungrateful Arthur and more chorus.

Forgetting the world around him, Merlin was taken by surprise. From the treetops came a creature that looked like a lion, if it were a giant with eagle wings. He ran, falling over and over again. Merlin knew that only magic could save him, but with his recent injuries, he wasn't ready for full protection. He tried to summon the power within him and control his movements, but bruised ribs made it difficult. He runs into a tree and falls miserably to the ground in front of the creature, which is preparing for a blow.

I'll die, he says aloud. A tall, dark-haired, well-built man stood before Merlin. Separating him from the shapely lion eagle, he kept attacking the creature with his sword, plunging it straight into its chest. Seeing this, the young servant concentrated on helping the man by casting small spells of protection.

But it wasn't enough. Finally, the great claws caught the man, who fell to the ground and struck a final, terrible, bloody blow at the creature. As he lost consciousness, all he could see was the beast flying away and the young, dark-haired man he had just lost heading towards him.

Can you hear me? Can you hear me? Please don't die, don't die! A litany of words that formed spells in his head came out of Merlin in waves. Seeing the wound on the man who had saved him, he couldn't bear the thought of him dying. Reaching deep within himself with the last of his strength, he drew out his magic and forced it to stop the wound.

To Merlin's surprise, he was able to use magic to heal for the first time. The sound of a beast screeching above them and the faint voice of a man jolted him from the momentary euphoria.

What happened? Said the man. I felt I was going to die. Did you cure me? The man looked at Merlin curiously and a little shaken, but he didn't seem frightened, just confused by the situation. Unwilling to answer the direct question, the young servant decided to focus on his hero's life. If you want to die, I won't let you. You saved me, it's only fair that I do the same for you. Can you move? He looked around for his horse, gave one of the men a nudge and said at last:

I'm Merlin. What's your name?

Lancelot.

Well, Lancelot, it's nice to meet you. There's still bleeding and the wound needs to be cleaned, I'll take you to Camelot, my uncle is a medic, he'll patch you up.

The return to Gaius' tower was swift and, thankfully, without any major surprises. Merlin found it all suspiciously simple, waiting for the other shoe to drop, as in his experience it always did.

The other shoe was Arthur, it always is.

As if sensing Merlin's thoughts, the Prince stood at the window overlooking the courtyard. Annoyed by the absence of his personal servant, he sulked at the court physician for his absence and at the servant himself for leaving the castle without informing. And then, looking at people going about their day, Arthur felt his soul leave his body. When he saw no other than Merlin galloping into the courtyard, covered in blood and accompanied by a strange man in a similar or even worse condition.

He seemed to be unconsciously moving towards Gaius' tower, trying to keep his wits about him. Storming in without knocking, he saw Merlin leaning towards the man as if to embrace him, speaking some soothing words in hushed tones, over which Gaius waited with water and some potions for the intimate conversation to be subdued. With an uncomfortable knot in his stomach, he felt compelled to interrupt the scene before him and break the silence:

What in God's name is going on?

A surprised pair of blue eyes and ears sticking out from under the black hair that defined the image of the prince's servant turned towards him, covering the stranger with his body.

Arthur, what are you doing here?

Merlin, that isn't the point. What matters is what is going on here. Who is this man? Why are you bleeding?

At the look of surprise on the face of his ward, the court physician decided to react. Sire, Merlin was attacked by the beast in the woods near the citadel walls. This man here is Lancelot, and he had to save my ward, but was wounded in the process.

What? Are you all right?

The words were out of Arthur's mouth before he could think.

Shuffling closer to the Prince, giving the young servant more time to gather his thoughts, Gaius stood tall and began to calm Arthur. Let me examine these two. I'll send Merlin to you when I'm done.

As if waking from a dream, the young prince became aware of his improper behaviour towards the servant. He shouldn't be concerned about Merlin's welfare, but he was. It was fine in front of Gaius, but the whole castle couldn't know that he was almost running here to check on him. He took a deep breath and said calmly.

Yes, of course. And then, glancing behind the court physician as his manservant held Lancelot's hand, he added with a small bow:

Lancelot, thank you for saving someone from the Crown Court. Merlin, I will expect you for dinner in my chambers afterwards. Don't be late.

The shock on the stranger's face and the resignation in his servant's eyes made him realize that he sounded like a heartless prat. Which was far from the truth, but very natural due to the facade he was putting up. As he left the medic chamber, and hoped Merlin understood that he was worried about him. It was hard to have this kind of feelings, for his servant, but it was something he felt at peace with himself. Merlin drank poison for him, underwent tests with him for killing a unicorn, and was always devoted. It's natural that Arthur should feel a certain responsibility to him. Right? He stopped thinking and went to watch the knights train to distract himself.

After a thorough examination of Gaius, Merlin decided to stay and watch over Lancelot as he slept. Worried in his mind, he wondered what awaited him in the prince's chamber. Great, another reason for Arthur to torment me. I barely escape with my life, and he thinks about bringing him food. I've had enough of this. He was torn from his thoughts by the reawakening of the injured man.

Merlin? Merlin?

The servant's heart melted at the soft, thirsty voice that spoke his name as if it meant more. Handsome, sweet and honourable. Could it be any better? Thought the black-haired man, applying another compress to his hero's forehead, and replied.

I'm here, Lancelot, rest. Gaius says you'll be out of here in a few days. I have to go to work, but I'm leaving you in good hands. My uncle will look after you.

Before leaving, Merlin paused, made eye contact with Lancelot and almost whispered. Thank you for keeping my secret from Arthur. I owe you one. The young servant heard this before he closed the door behind him.

You don't owe me anything. You saved my life and gave me shelter. I will keep your secret until the end of my days.