Chapter Text
Merlin was confused.
He was not confused in a 'theres a magical ailment in Camelot and I'm confused as to how to fix it' way, no he was very much used to that kind of confusion. At this point, it wasn't really confusion, more of resignation. No, now Merlin was confused in a 'Arthur is being weird and nice and sweet and giving gifts' sort of way.
This, he was not used to.
Sharp nudges, thumps on the back and sometimes the occasional rough side hugs; these are the things Merlin was used to from Arthur. Now, Arthur holds his hand, he always holds his hand! He runs his hands his hands through his hair, he holds his face gently, he holds his waist, he sat Merlin on his lap!
Merlin tried not to read too much into it. He tried to tell himself that it was just Arthur feeling slightly protective because Merlin had almost died recently. And although it didn't seem like such a big deal to himself, (he had nearly died a lot in the past years) he tried to be considerate of Arthur's feelings and just went with the flow.
That was of course up until the gift giving.
A new leather bag, a new saddle for his horse, boots, his favorite kind of book? Merlin was understandably confused. Before this, the only thing he could call a gift he had gotten from Arthur was his mother's sigil. And if he's being honest, no matter how much more expensive and sweet these new gifts were, Merlin would forever cherish the sigil as his all time favorite gift.
To resolve his dilemma, Merlin had asked the knights and even Gwen why they thought Arthur was getting him gifts. He got teasing remarks from Elyan who was then scolded by his sister, a knowing look from both Leon and Percival and a gentle, perceptive smile from Lancelot.
"C'mon Merlin." the knight had said. "I know my friend is smarter than that. Try to figure this one out on your own."
Well, they were of no use.
So there Merlin stood in the throne room, pondering over the very complex, baffling, confounding and mystifying thoughts behind Arthur's intentions. Said man was busy listening to his council, uncaring for the war raging in Merlin's head. Okay maybe not war, but the little people in his brain were definitely getting their little weapons ready.
"Reports." Arthur ordered. Merlin had once told him to try not to sound so bossy and prattish when he said that. Of course he was told to shut up along with a stinky sock thrown at his face.
"Sire," the man Merlin recognized as Sir Clinton spoke up. He didn't seem as nervous as he was the first time. "my reports of the west lower towns are favorable. The people I've spoken to seem to be content and doing well. I had also conferred with the guards stationed at those villages and they have reported with the same results."
Arthur nodded. Maybe no one else would've noticed but Merlin, from years of working with him, could tell that Arthur was secretly pleased by the news.
"My jurisdiction of the east lower towns show similar reports, Sire." another council man spoke. "According to one of the guards an old man, who had been residing in the town for decades, had come out of his home one day and used his magic to repair the well in the middle of the town that had been broken for weeks. Apparently, he was laughing while doing so."
Merlin couldn't hold back a smile. Hearing about how a fellow magic user finally felt safe enough to come out and use his magic in front of people made him feel as if all the years of struggle was worth it. And judging by the slight up tilt of Arthur's head, he thought the same.
"So far no violent reports." Arthur noted. "I am pleased to hear."
However, others seemed to have different opinions.
"This is ludicrous!" the lovely Sir Egerton shrieked. "A sorcerer dared to use magic in broad daylight! How can you be pleased with this?! They will corrupt your kingdom!"
Arthur merely raised his eyebrows (he still couldn't raise just one) and titled his head at Sir Egerton. "Oh yes, he fixed a well. We must take him to the dungeons in shackles." he said in the most unamused, flattest tone Merlin had ever heard.
Merlin tried his hardest to hold back a laugh as Sir Egerton spluttered unattractively in front of the whole council. Poor Sir Clinton let out a snort which earned him a nasty look from the raging councilman.
"Since you are so eager to speak out of turn, Sir Egerton, let's hear your report." Arthur stated.
Merlin tuned out Egerton's obviously false, overly exaggerated report on how his part of the kingdom was probably facing deathly consequences due to magic. He instead shuffled closer to Leon who was diligently going over his own report.
"Leon," he whispered.
Merlin smirked when the knight jumped and fumbled with his scroll. "Yes, Merlin?" he sighed.
"What's the deal with Egerton?" he asked, looking over to where Arthur seemed absolutely irate as Egerton's report progressed.
Leon seemed to have noticed the same and slightly winced. "Ah, Sir Egerton. He's been on the council for nearly two decades now."
Merlin scoffed. "So? There's plenty of other old ones here and you don't see them almost yelling at the king."
Leon sighed, rolling up his scroll. "Sir Egerton is a different case, Merlin. He lost both his daughters to a bad magic attack years ago. I personally wasn't there, wasn't a knight yet, but I heard he was consumed with grief. Understandably. It's probably why he is so against bringing back magic into Camelot."
Merlin hated himself for feeling bad for Egerton. He wanted to fully hate the man who was currently spitting out profanities (that would make Gaius clean out Merlin's mouth) about magic. But he couldn't help but feel a little sympathy for the old man. Merlin knew full and well exactly how it felt to loose people who you loved. Hell, the great purge was started by Uther because of the loss of a loved one.
Just as Egerton paused to flip to the next page of his report, the council room doors were thrown open and a guard walked in. All heads turned and Arthur immediately stood up at the interruption.
"What is the meaning of this?" he questioned the guard.
"My Lord, there is an urgent matter that requires your attention immediately."
Arthur eyebrows shot up. Merlin went to stand right behind him. "Council dismissed. We will continue this later."
As the men shuffled out, talking amongst each other of what the matter could possibly be about, the guard jogged forward towards the king and bowed. "Sire."
"What is this matter?" Arthur demanded. Merlin noticed he seemed agitated. Not by choice, Merlin watched in slight horror as his magic leaked out and flew towards Arthur to console and calm him. He tried to pull his magic back but it refused to listen and continued to kiss up to the king. With great effort and gritted teeth, Merlin was finally able to pull back and put a lid on his now pissed off magic. Although he did notice Arthur previously slumped shoulders tensed as soon as he pulled away.
"There are two witnesses here claiming that they saw a beast in the outskirts of the woods. They have requested an audience with you."
"Bring them in."
The guard went and fetched the two witnesses who, to Merlin's shock, was Harry and his little sister Ethel. The two children walked in nervously, followed by their mother who had an arm around each of them. The small family bowed to the king and his knights. Merlin tried to give Harry a smile but the boy was busy consoling his sister who was trembling.
"Harry," Arthur said with recognition. "and this must be Ethel."
The boy nodded rapidly. "Yes Your Majesty." Their mother seemed to almost faint at he king knowing her children's names.
"What is this beast you have spotted?"
Harry bravely swallowed and stepped forward. "Ethel and I were out near the woods picking cotton to sell for fabric. That's when we heard the sound. It was like a very loud screech and it echoed through the woods."
Little Ethel seemed to shake even more at the mention of it.
"Then we saw it." Harry continued, wringing his hands. "It was this huge beast, almost as tall as a tree. We only saw its back, ran away before it turned around. It had a tail, Sire."
"A tail?" Arthur questioned.
Harry nodded once more. "But not like a horse tail, it was this large, thick thing and it curled upwards and-"
"Yes?" Arthur prompted.
"It had a gigantic stinger, Sire."
There was silence in the room for a good few seconds.
Arthur cleared his throat. "It had a stinger." he repeated.
Harry nodded desperately. "Yes Your Majesty."
"Very well then." Arthur stepped forward and placed a hand on Harry's shoulder. "You did the right thing coming to me with this. You are very brave, Harry. You and your sister." he gave a small smile to the scared girl. He then turned to the still waiting guard. "Ensure that they all receive a warm meal before they leave."
With a bow, the four of them left.
The room was entirely silent.
Until Merlin decided to speak. "So, a magical beast spotted in Camelot three days before the trial month ends. Sounds about right."
Arthur gave him an annoyed look. "First of all, it wasn't spotted in Camelot, just near it. And second, we don't know if it is a magical beast, could be just a regular one."
Merlin snorted. "Trust me, with Camelot's and our track records, it definitely is a magical beast."
"What is our course of action, Sire?" Leon questioned. He looked slightly upset that he wasn't able to give his own report.
Arthur traced the hilt of his sword as he spoke. "I will lead a few knights with me to go find this beast. Only a few, we should keep it discreet as to not cause any sort of panic."
"Or give the council any more ammunition." Elyan muttered. Arthur chose not to hear him.
"Sire, if I may," Lancelot said. "I don't think it is wise for you to go on this hunt. If the citizens hear word of the king going on an unknown hunt, it will definitely create panic. And also, it won't be safe."
Merlin wholeheartedly agreed with the last statement.
He noticed Arthur seemed ready to gear up and state five different arguments on why he should go on this hunt for the beast, so Merlin stepped in before Arthur could even get a word out.
"Arthur," he placed a firm hand on his shoulder. His magic, voluntarily this time, slipped out to comfort him. "Lancelot is right, you can't go with them."
"I can't just send my knights off into the woods to face some unknown beast with an apparently gigantic stinger!"
"This is what you trained them for," Merlin argued, not matching Arthur's rise in volume. "you can't always go with them."
"Sire, if you allow me to, I will lead our men into the woods and try to find this beast before it does any harm." Leon, the ever dutiful knight, volunteered. He however did not notice the dangerous glare he was receiving from Gwaine for his suggestion.
Although he looked apprehensive, Arthur nodded. "Take two knights with you."
"Five!" the immediate argument came from an angry Gwaine. "He will take five knights!"
"Gwaine-" Leon tried to chide the other man but Gwaine was having none of it.
"Five, or I go with him." he stated with finality.
"You can't, you are on patrol duty this month." Leon gently explained.
"Screw patrol." Gwaine said fiercely. "If you are not going with more than five knights, you are not going at all."
"More than five?! You said five!" Arthur argued, exasperated.
"You waited too long to agree, now the number is up."
"Gwaine," Leon gave him a stern look. The man did not budge.
"I don't know which one is worse, Merlin and Arthur, or Leon and Gwaine." Elyan whispered to Percival.
"That would be like choosing between an earthquake and an avalanche. Both are not favorable."
"Fine!" Arthur finally yelled. "Leon you may take five knights with you."
"I said more than five."
"Don't push it, or I really will re-break your arm."
"Yes, Sire. We will leave in the next hour."
With a quick bow, Leon walked out the council room to go pack and assemble the knights. No one said a word, not even Elyan, when Gwaine marched right behind him without hesitation.
"Those two are going to be the death of each other." Arthur complained.
Lancelot snorted. "You're one to talk."
"What was that Lancelot?"
"I said it's a nice day to take a walk."
___
Merlin wasn't sure what he was allowed to do.
He watched as Arthur paced across his room, gnawing at his lip and occasionally running his hand through his messed up hair. Merlin wanted to soothe him, bring him into a gentle hug, smooth his hair down and softly hold his face and tell him that it will be alright. And now more than ever, his magic was practically begging hysterically to be let out to comfort their king who was in obvious distress. However, Merlin wasn't sure if he was allowed to.
But when Arthur let out a small, pained groan and pulled his hair just a little too hard, Merlin decided enough was enough. He didn't care if he wasn't allowed to, he wanted to.
Merlin stepped closer and grabbed Arthur by the waist to stop him from pacing. He pulled him closer and took and hold go both his nervous hands and made him place them on his own waist. Merlin ran his hand through Arthur's hair, gently smoothing down the strands, and with his other hand he carefully cupped Arthur's face, thumbing at the darkening bruises under his eyes.
"Arthur," his voice was nearly a whisper, yet still so loud in the quiet room. "please stop doing this to yourself."
Arthur's resolve seemed to crumble and he gripped Merlin's waist tighter, drawing him in closer. "Merlin..." he nearly choked.
Merlin immediately knew that this was more than just concern for his knights who had rode out into the woods. Something else was bothering him.
"Tell me," Merlin quietly demanded. "let me help you, please."
Arthur shook his head almost frantically. "I can't."
"Yes you can, love. You can tell me anything."
"I can't tell you."
Merlin's heart stung a little at his admission. But he pushed aside his feelings; Arthur was the one who needed help right now.
"Is it something I did? Is that why you can't tell me in particular?"
Arthur shook his head again. It anguished Merlin to see him in such pain. Arthur wouldn't lift his head, bowing it so low it butted at Merlin's chin.
"Arthur, love. If anything is troubling you, I swear I will help you, no matter what the issue is. It can concern me, hell it can be something I did but I promise I will not leave you."
The two of them were quiet for a while. Merlin heard a small, almost inaudible sniffle come from Arthur. The hand that was still cupping his cheek was slowly and firmly rubbing his face soothingly, waiting for him to talk.
"Do you really promise?" the mumbled question was so meek, Merlin almost didn't catch it.
"Promise what?"
"Promise that you won't leave... me?"
Merlin's heart cracked at Arthur's tone. His chest suddenly felt too small and his throat was constricted. He used both his hands to lift Arthur's face forcefully and looked at him right in the eyes that seemed so vulnerable at the moment. As he stood there holding his king's face in his hands, Merlin felt like he was holding the entire world. His entire world.
"Arthur, I promise to you, I swear to you that I will never leave you. I will always be by your side for as long as you want me to. And even if you send me away-"
"Never!" Arthur nearly yelled.
Merlin smiled. "Even if you send me away, I won't leave. I will stay by your side until our last days and after."
Arthur swallowed painfully, looking at Merlin's face as if searching for any lies.
"What if-" he choked. "What if I failed?"
Merlin raised an eyebrow. "What?"
"What if I failed? What if I failed you? What if I'm not able to bring back magic to Camelot like you said I would? What if I don't become the great Once and Future King like you said I would?" he pauses. "What if I don't become the man you want me to be?"
If Arthur's insecurity was a person, Merlin would ruthlessly kill them.
Merlin tightened his hold on Arthur's face and pulled him even closer towards him. He messily ran his hands all over Arthur's face, smoothing his brows and forehead, gripping his ears, softly scratching the back of his neck before finally settling both hands under his jaw, lifting his head to be held high.
"Arthur," Merlin sighed. "sweetheart." Arthur's face heated up.
Merlin made sure Arthur was looking right at him when he spoke the next words. "You are already the man I want you to be."
Arthur's lips had a slight tremble to them and he started shaking his head in disagreement. But Merlin didn't let him voice his argument.
"No listen to me. You are going to listen to me carefully." Merlin ordered. "You are the once and future king. You are already bringing magic back to Camelot. Did you not listen to the reports? People are happy Arthur. You made that happen. You made all this happen. You have doubts on whether you'll be a good king, but I'm telling you, you already are."
Merlin thumbed at the tiny pearls of tears forming at Arthur's eyes. "And you can never fail me. You know why?"
"Because you have such low standards?" Arthur mumbled, sniffling.
Merlin smiled running his thumb across the bridge of his nose. "Because I know that at the end of the day, you would have tried your hardest. You wouldn't have given up until the very end. That is why you can never fail me."
Arthur took in and let out a deep breath. "I'm worried about this beast sighting. It's so close to the end of the trial month. What if this is some sort of plot by someone who wants the ruin the trial period?"
Merlin answered as he styled Arthur's hair with his fingers. "Like you said, we aren't sure if this is a magical beast, it could be just you average wolf or bear."
"Harry said it had a stinger."
"We know nothing for sure. Let's wait until Leon and the knights get back. Then we can decide what has to be done."
"I wish they would get back sooner. Gwaine has been bothering me all day, probably complaining about how I should've sent an entourage with Leon."
Merlin laughed. "I think it's sweet. He is just obviously worried for Leon's safety."
"Yes I know, which is why I refrained from accidentally hitting him with a mace."
"You're awful."
"No I'm a sweetheart, you said so yourself." Arthur claimed smugly. Merlin was about to get seriously embarrassed when he remembered Arthur's reaction to the particular endearment.
"Yes you are." Merlin lowly muttered, his hand stilling in his hair, instead gripping it slightly. "You're my sweetheart."
Arthur's smug grin was wiped off and his eyes widened as his face reddened. "Merlin! I- you cannot-"
Now it was Merlin's turn to grin. "What's wrong Arthur? I thought you agreed with me?"
Arthur didn't reply, his eyes refusing to meet Merlin's.
"Come on, love." Merlin taunted. He loved the redness of Arthur's face, it matched beautifully with his red tunic. "Where did all that bravado go?"
Arthur tried to glare but the effect was dulled due to his wide eyes and flushed face. "Merlin, I swear to god-"
"Your Majesty!" the sudden bursting open of the chamber doors startled both men apart. Arthur cleared his throat and awkwardly fumbled to smooth out his hair while Merlin looked at him with a small grin.
"Yes what is it?"
The young guard panted, gripping his spear tightly. "They're back!"
__
It was supposed to be good news; the knights were back from a dangerous mission. But there was nothing to celebrate. Merlin watched in muted horror as Leon dragged himself towards the throne, followed by two other knights. Three knights in total, when they had left with six. The three remaining ones weren't in the best shape. One of them was cradling an injured arm while the other bore a severe gash on his shoulder. Leon himself hobbled forward, his left leg completely limp, dragging across the floor of the throne room.
Leon tried to take another step forward towards Arthur when his right leg gave up on him and he went crashing to the floor. Gwaine was there almost immediately, holding the knight up tenderly, a furious look in his eye. Yet he spoke gently, "Shh, don't exert yourself. Princess can hear your blasted report from here."
Arthur didn't even spare Gwaine a second glance at the nickname, his concern for his knights taking over. "Sir Leon, what happened?"
Leon stood unsteadily on his foot, forced to lean most of his weight by Gwaine on him. He took a deep shuddering breath, "We were attacked by the beast, Sire. It was as large as reported and..."
Gwaine held him tighter as Leon seemed unwilling to continue.
"Yes, Leon?"
"It was a scorpion Sire."
Arthur's eyebrows creased. "A giant scorpion?"
"Twas a huge thing, My Lord!" the knight with the injured arm spoke up. "It has the body of a scorpion along with the body of a human man!"
The tension in the throne room grew so thick it could've been cut with a sword.
Leon let out a feeble cough. "We lost Charles, Simons and Baron." he said with the utmost regret. Gwaine looked like he wanted to do nothing but hold Leon closer and take away his pain, judging by the way he clutched Leon even tighter to his chest.
Arthur looked greatly troubled, pinching the bridge of his nose. "A proper knights funeral will be held for the three of them." he announced. He then turned to Percival. "You and Gwaine, escort these three to the physician's chambers."
With a nod, Percival easily propped up the two injured knights, not daring to come close to Leon when Gwaine nearly bared his teeth at him.
Once the doors shut behind them, Elyan turned to Arthur. "What's the plan?"
Arthur stood taller and held his head up high. "We ride out at dawn. We kill the beast and return without causing any panic. I will not have this trail month ruined in any way, that I will ensure."
“We will come with you.” Elyan announced. Lancelot nodded in agreement.
“You were always going to come, don’t think you can get out of this.” Arthur gave a small smirk to the two of them. He then turned to Merlin, face becoming grim.
“Can you and Gaius find out what this beast is? I’d feel better leading my knights out if we knew exactly what we’re up against.”
Merlin nodded in determination. “Gaius and I will get on that.”
Arthur gave a quick secretive smile to Merlin, almost trying to reassure him. “Go get everyone ready,” he addressed the remaining knights. “we only come back home when this beast is killed.”
__
When Leon had stumbled in with a broken leg and only half of the party they had sent out, Merlin immediately knew what he had to do. He could not let this hybrid beast kill anymore people. He would not allow it to ruin the beginning of bringing back magic to Camelot.
This was his destiny. This is what Merlin was born for and so it only made sense that he must ride out and kill this beast himself.
He speedily jogged to Gaius’ chambers, slamming the doors open just like how Gaius hates it.
“God lord Merlin, you almost killed me! I did not live this long only to be taken out by a loudly opened door.”
Merlin grinned sheepishly. “Sorry, Gaius but I need your help.”
He crooked an eyebrow. “With what?”
Merlin quickly filled in Gaius on the details of the impromptu meeting they just had. The two of them were pouring over the bestiary, scrambling to find the beast that was described by the knights.
“I think we found it.” Gaius said, pointing a finger at a picture on the book.
The picture was of a creature with the body of a giant scorpion with a huge curved tail that ended with the ever famous stinger. Where the head of the scorpion should’ve been was instead the torso of a human man. In the picture the man held a bow with an arrow nocked, ready to shoot. However the size of the claws and stingers was enough to scare any sane man into running far far away before they even spotted the bow.
“The Aqrabuamelu,” Gaius read out. “Scorpion men, described to have the head, torso and arms of a man but the body of a scorpion.”
“Of course it is.” Merlin muttered, dropping his head on the table. “Couldn’t it be a wolf? Or a really large boar? No, it just had to be a magical creature that likes to kill.”
“It says here that, although the Aqrabuamelu-”
“What a mouthful.”
“-is a creature of magic, it doesn’t necessarily require magic to be slayed.”
Merlin frowned. “What are you trying to say?”
Gaius sighed, closing the bestiary. “This creature can be killed with a sword, Merlin. Your magic is not exactly required.”
“Yes but-“
“So you need not go out and risk yourself to slay this beast. Let Arthur and the knights take this one.”
“Gaius, six men went out to kill this thing and only three returned alive.”
Gaius turned his frightening eyebrow on Merlin. “I am aware, Merlin, after all I am the one who treated them.”
“I have to go kill this thing myself. Arthur and the other could get hurt if I don’t.”
“If six well trained knights couldn’t kill it what makes you think you can?” Gaius asked exasperated.
Merlin grinned. “I’m magic.”