Chapter Text
It cut off abruptly as Merlin’s eyes opened.
The first thing he noticed was Arthur, crouched above him and forcing the sleep from his body, hand reaching for a sword that he didn’t have. The next thing he saw was a young boy, no more than thirteen years old, with dirty chestnut hair and bright blue eyes. He had scrambled towards the back of the cave, the rest of them blocking his exit, a wild terror in his eyes. He whimpered beneath the hands he had clasped firmly over his mouth, as if to physically stop himself from screaming more.
Merlin pushed himself up from underneath Arthur, shaking his head at the questioning look he received. He could hear Evaine excitedly whispering behind them, and knew without a doubt she was telling her mother all about their night and her new friend.
He focused his attention on the boy. “Hello there.”
The boys' eyes widened further, something Merlin hadn’t even thought possible. His eyes were darting rapidly between Merlin and Arthur, and it was with a sinking feeling that Merlin realised he recognised them. He must have lived in the lower town after all – it only made sense that he had seen the both of them at least once. And Merlin knew Arthur was not someone that a citizen of Camelot could ever easily forget.
“You’re alright.” Merlin assured him, holding his hands out and trying to radiate calm. “No one here will hurt you, I swear. You’re safe.”
The boy shook his head. “You know.”
It was a choked gasp, desperate for Merlin to deny it while knowing he wouldn’t. He must have seen something in Merlin’s face, because his breath hitched and shook with tears he couldn’t seem to let fall. Instead they gathered in his eyes, making him look even younger than Merlin had first thought. Younger, and even more terrified.
Merlin ached for him. “We do, and it’s alright. You’re not the only werewolf here, okay? You are safe, I promise.”
The boy seemed to take a second to understand what he had said, but as soon as he did his hands dropped – along with his jaw. He looked at Arthur properly, then drifted behind them and promptly went red as he caught sight of Juliana and Evaine dressing. His eyes whipped back to Merlin.
Merlin smiled. “What’s your name?”
He hesitated a moment. “Caradoc.”
“Caradoc.” Merlin repeated. “It’s nice to meet you.”
Caradoc nodded, glancing at Arthur as he finally started to dress himself. He shuffled a tiny bit closer, and Merlin copied him, until they were close enough to touch, if one of them were to reach out.
“That’s the prince.” The boy whispered, looking as if he barely believed what he was saying.
Merlin nodded, matching his volume. “It is.”
“Wow.” He breathed out. “And is he-”
He was cut off by a small body barreling into him, causing him to fall with a small gasp. Merlin couldn’t help the little laugh that escaped him as Evaine sat atop her new friend, grinning like crazy and trying to keep her hair out of her face. It was not working.
“Caradoc!” She yelled. “You’re still here!”
The boy blinked up at her. “Uh.”
“I knew you’d stay!” Evaine continued, unperturbed by his confusion. “You said you’d leave before morning, but I knew you’d stay! We’re friends now, you can’t just leave.”
“Evaine.” Juliana sighed, exasperated. “Come off him now, he needs room to breathe.”
Evaine pouted. “He can breathe.”
Merlin chuckled and scooped her up, settling her in his lap. “That’s not what she meant.”
Evaine frowned, confused. Caradoc looked twice as confused, staring at Evaine as if she were speaking another language.
“I didn’t say anything to you.” He said. “And we’re not friends! I’ve never even met you before!”
“You have! Last night!” Evaine protested. “After Arthur and Merlin rescued you from the city and brought you us. You don’t remember, because no one else remembers being a wolf, but I do.”
Caradoc looked hopelessly at Merlin. Merlin smiled sympathetically, passing Evaine off to her mother. Juliana led her away towards their food stash, hushing her protests. Arthur had managed to get a fire going behind them, and Merlin gestured Caradoc over. The boy glanced down at himself and shook his head, cheeks once again blazing.
“Here.” Arthur murmured, holding out his spare tunic and small cloths. “Wear these.”
Caradoc took the clothes hesitantly, gasping at the softness of the fabric in his hands. Merlin allowed Arthur to draw him away towards the fire, where Juliana had started making some breakfast for them all. The morning sun outside had just barely begun to rise, and Merlin knew realistically they should leave as soon as possible, but he also knew they wouldn’t be missed for another hour or so. They had time.
Caradoc joined them soon after, holding the collar of the shirt together to prevent it from slipping. It hung off him loosely, coming so far down his legs it looked more like a dress than a shirt. Compared to Arthur’s strong frame, the boy was nothing but skin and bone.
“I’m sorry we don’t have any other clothes to offer you.” He said, gesturing towards the ground next to him. “We weren’t expecting anyone else.”
Caradoc shook his head, settling on the floor and looking only slightly less spooked. “It’s okay.”
Arthur glanced between them. “Merlin, what exactly happened last night?”
Merlin accepted the bowl Juliana passed him, blowing gently to cool the food, before he launched into a recount of the night. He didn’t mention Leon catching them – that was something he would discuss with Arthur later, in private. Evaine jumped in once he got to the point where they had met up, excitedly telling Caradoc all the games they had played before settling in for the night.
“And then you woke up.” He finished, smiling gently at the boy. “You know the rest.”
Caradoc sat staring at the fire, curled in on himself as he thought. His food remained untouched next to him. Merlin exchanged a glance with Arthur, unsure how to continue.
“It’s getting late. We need to get back to Camelot.” Arthur said eventually. “Is there anyone for you to go back to?”
“No.” Caradoc whispered. “My Pa died during the plague. He was all I had.” The boy’s eyes watered as he lowered his head to his knees. “I’d lock myself in his shop at night, since our house didn’t have a lock. It was the only way I could think to keep myself from escaping and hurting someone. If I got out, it means they know it was me. No one else has the key.”
“Then they’ll be looking for you.” Arthur said. “It’s not safe for you to stay in Camelot anymore.”
“But Camelot is my home!” Caradoc protested. “I don’t have anywhere else to go. This is the furthest I’ve ever been from the city!”
The poor boy looked close to letting his tears fall, and Merlin understood completely. He couldn’t imagine leaving Camelot – it had become his everything in such a short time. The only thing he missed from Ealdor was his mother and Will, which was a bearable ache, but to leave Camelot would leave him devastated.
“Can Caradoc stay with us Mother?” He heard Evaine loudly whisper. “He could be my new brother!”
Juliana’s face turned pained. “I wish we could Evaine, but…”
“But it would cause too many questions.” Arthur finished, brushing the dirt from his hands as he stood. “We wouldn’t ask you to take such a risk Juliana.”
Juliana bowed her head, in apology or shame, Merlin couldn’t tell.
Caradoc wilted, but Merlin placed a gentle hand on his shoulder. “It’s alright, because we know someone who will help you.”
“Who?” Caradoc asked, barely clinging onto hope.
“There’s a clan of druids that aren’t far from here.” Merlin said. “They will look after you, and they won’t shun you for who you are.”
Caradoc shivered. “The druids? I thought they were far from the city.”
Merlin smiled. “So do most people.”
“And they’ll help me?” He asked. “They’ll… accept me?”
Merlin knew very little about the druids, in truth. But they had helped before, and he couldn’t imagine them turning away a child. “Yes, they will.”
“Merlin will take you.” Arthur said, turning to Merlin. “You know where their camp is?”
“Yes.” He knew where they had been before, and that would be enough for his magic.
Arthur nodded. “Good.”
“We should all head out.” Juliana warned, eying the rising sun. “People will start to wake soon.”
“Of course.” Arthur said, pulling Merlin to his feet and kissing him softly. “I can cover for you for a while, but don’t take too long.”
“I won’t.” Merlin said, then pulled him close so he could whisper. “Leon knows. He let us go last night.”
Arthur tensed against him, then relaxed into the hug. “How much?”
“Just about you.” Merlin whispered, fingers running up and down his back comfortingly. “He recognised you nearly the moment he saw you. But he trusted you, so he let us go. He’ll probably have some questions for you.”
Arthur huffed out a laugh and pulled away. “I’m sure. Be safe, Merlin.”
“You know I will.” Merlin assured him.
They parted ways with a final kiss, Evaine waving as her mother pulled her along into the trees. Merlin heaved his pack onto his shoulder and made sure the fire was completely out. Caradoc watched him, clutching Arthur’s shirt to his chest tightly. Merlin grinned at him, encouraging.
“Come on. We have quite a way to go.”
Caradoc nodded, following behind him silently as they walked deeper into the woods.