Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

“Arthur.” Uther finally said, his face a mask. “You’re leaving.”

“For the night, yes.” Arthur said, hesitant. “I assure you that I will be back before anyone can notice that I’m gone.”

“Good, good.” Uther said dismissively. He was far more concentrated on the pack in Merlin’s hands. “You plan to go with him?”

Merlin swallowed and glanced at Arthur. “Yes sire. I accompany Arthur every full moon.”

Uther stared. “And you do not fear what might happen to you?”

Merlin stood straight, anger filling him at what the king was implying. “Arthur would never hurt me!” He forced himself to calm and added on a rather pathetic sounding ‘sire’.

“Indeed.” Uther said after a moment of silence. Then he turned back to Arthur. “Make sure no one sees you.”

“Yes sire.” Arthur said as he bowed his head.

Uther left without another word, though he lingered for a moment. Merlin held his breath as Uther shot an indecipherable look his way before finally letting the door close behind him. 

“What was that.” Merlin asked.

Arthur stared at the door, his eyes unfocused. “I thought...”

He trailed off into silence and Merlin frowned as concern prickled at him. “Arthur?”

Arthur blinked and shook his head. “Finish packing. The sooner we leave, the better.”

Merlin huffed and shoved a blanket in his pack before slinging it over his shoulder. He slipped past Arthur and opened the door that led directly down to the kitchens, the door that servants were supposed to use, but Merlin never did. 

“Come on then.” He said, putting on his biggest, fakest grin. “Let’s go.”

Arthur, a smile tugging at his lips despite his best efforts, crossed his arms. “Now hang on. I’m the one that’s supposed to give orders around here.”

Merlin let go of the door, mirroring Arthur’s stance. “Oh?”

“I am the prince.” Arthur said.

As if that had ever mattered to Merlin. “Of course sire. How generous of you to remind me. So...”

Arthur arched a brow. “So?” 

“So, let’s go.” Merlin grinned as he slipped out the door, Arthur’s laughter following behind him. 

They snuck through the castle as they had every night for months now, and no guard saw them. It always made Arthur frown, that the guards were so easy to slip by, but he never made any real plans to do anything about it. It would only hurt them, after all, and Arthur still didn’t trust himself to transform in the castle, no matter what Merlin said.

Truth be told, Merlin liked sneaking out with Arthur, and he had a growing suspicion that Arthur felt the same. 

They reached their usual cave just as the moon was beginning to peek through the clouds. Arthur shivered and stumbled, his bag falling to the ground. Merlin caught him and scooped up his pack, supporting Arthur as he stumbled his way into the cave. Arthur grunted in thanks. Merlin shushed him and helped him strip as quickly as he could, recognising the signs as Arthur fought off the change. 

“Alright Arthur.” Merlin said once he was finished. “You can stop fighting it now.”

Arthur screwed his face up and opened his mouth to disagree, but instead a loud growl rumbled out of his chest. Merlin averted his eyes as fur begun to take over Arthur’s skin, knowing how much his lover hated being watched as he transformed. Seconds later and he was abruptly shoved over and onto the ground, a huge golden wolf in his lap. Merlin huffed and complained as Arthur wiggled on top of him, his tail going crazy behind him. Merlin scratched behind his ears before shoving him off, laughing at the kicked puppy look Arthur sent him. 

“I have to make a fire before it gets freezing.” Merlin said, rolling his eyes. “We don’t all have thick fur to keep us warm, sire.”

Arthur growled playfully, following after Merlin as he went out to hunt for sticks; something that would normally take him no more than a few minutes. Of course, he didn’t usually have a giant wolf filled with far too much energy making a game of how many times he could make Merlin stumble. Each time Merlin would panic and drop whatever twigs he had been able to gather as he scrambled to get his balance back. 

After the seventh time, Merlin swore and glared at Arthur. “Stop being a prat!” Arthur huffed at him, and Merlin knew he was laughing. “You do that one more time and I’m going back to the castle and your nice, warm bed.” 

Arthur whined, immediately apologetic as he brushed against Merlin’s leg. 

Merlin laughed and scratched behind Arthur’s ears. “Yeah yeah, I’m sure you’re very sorry now. Come on, I want to be back before Juliana and Evaine arrive to an empty cave.” 

Arthur immediately bounded ahead, waiting impatiently as Merlin gathered up the twigs as slow as he could, a smug little smile on his face. He made sure to smother the smile as he straightened and turned to Arthur. 
“Alright, let’s g-”

A loud howl split through the quiet air, cutting Merlin off. The two of them whipped around, Arthur’s ears perked and whole body frozen in place. Another howl, this one shorter, cut off before it could finish. Arthur growled lowly in response. 

“Arthur.” Merlin whispered, unable to speak any louder. “Arthur, that came from inside Camelot’s walls.” 

Arthur growled again, and Merlin stumbled, again, as Arthur began pushing him back towards their cave as best he could. Merlin let him, if only out of surprise, but dug his heels in as soon as he realised what was happening. 

“Arthur- Arthur, stop.” Merlin said, fully abandoning his armful of twigs in favour of burying his hands in Arthur’s fur. “We have to go help. Whoever that is, the knights- the knights will kill them!” 

Arthur shoved him again, his eyes focused on the towers of Camelot that they could just make out between the trees. Merlin tried to catch his eye, knowing he’d be able to convince his prince of only he’d look at him, when he noticed the familiar glint in his eye. It was the look he got whenever he was about to do something equal parts stupid and noble, and Merlin realised he didn’t need to convince Arthur of anything.

Well, except for one thing. 

“I’m coming too.” Arthur growled, an instant denial, and Merlin growled right back. “I’m not letting you go back there by yourself. You’ll get yourself killed!” 

Arthur gave him a look, and Merlin could practically hear him. I’ve been trained to kill since birth Merlin, and I know what I’m doing Merlin. 

Merlin rolled his eyes. “Don’t you remember what happened the last time you tried to insist I leave you? I didn’t leave you to the bandits, and I’m not leaving you to the bloody knights of Camelot. Now, come on.” 

He strode forward, determined, never mind what Arthur thought. He could hear him grumbling behind him, hesitating before chasing after him. Merlin turned his head, ready to keep arguing, when he felt himself be lifted off the ground. He yelped, falling forward and desperately grabbing at Arthur’s head. 

“You prat.” He hissed, shifting on Arthur’s back until he was comfortably seated. “You could have warned me instead of just crawling under me like that.”

Arthur huffed, clearly proud of himself, before he took off. Merlin yelped again and dug his hands and knees into soft fur. The wind whipped at his face as Arthur ran, faster and bumpier than any horse Merlin had ever ridden. After almost being thrown off for the third time Merlin closed his eyes and let his magic reach out, holding him securely to Arthur’s back. 

Time passed in a blink, and before long Arthur slowed to a stop, the gates of Camelot visible just through the trees. Two guards stood watch, anxiously glancing around as another howl rang out from the heart of the city. 

Arthur whined at the sound. Merlin threw out his hand, his magic surrounding them and disturbing a patch of bushes opposite of where they were hiding. The guards immediately drew their swords, glancing at each other once before they went to investigate the sound. 

“Go.” Merlin whispered, pulling his magic tight around them. There was no time to think of a spell, so he relied on his magic the same way he had as a child. He let it go and hoped for the best. “No one will notice us now.” 

Arthur bolted forward in an instant, flying through the gates so fast Merlin feared they might crash into the houses on the other side. They didn’t, of course, Arthur weaving expertly through the streets as he searched for the last place they’d heard a howl. Merlin reached out with his magic as Arthur tried to find the other wolf’s scent, Merlin jolting as his magic found what they were looking for first, only a few streets away. 

He tugged on Arthur’s fur, pointing to their left. “That way!”

Arthur turned immediately, following Merlin’s directions with barely a seconds hesitation needed to righten himself at the sudden change in direction. Soon enough he was turning before Merlin managed to say anything else, his nose leading him the same way as Merlin’s magic. 

They turned one last corner and Merlin’s breath caught in his throat. 

The wolf was smaller than Arthur, although no where near as small as Evaine. They would be a child on the cusp of adulthood, if Merlin had to guess. Their fur was a deep chestnut brown, almost black in the night, though the glowing blue eyes gave them away. They weren’t easily missed. 

Especially not by the knight of Camelot currently boxing them in against a wall, the silver of his sword shining threateningly in the moonlight. 

Arthur growled, deep and terrifying. The knight stiffened, his sword swinging as he automatically went to take out one threat so he could face the other coming his way. Curly red hair caught Merlin’s eye, and in an instant he knew who they were facing. 

“Sir Leon, stop!” He yelled, throwing himself from Arthur’s back and yanking on the man’s sword arm, forcing it away from the wolf cowering before them. “Don’t hurt them!”

Leon jerked out of his grasp, mouth agape as he stared. Arthur took the chance to barrel past them, planting himself firmly between Leon and the other wolf. He growled again, baring his teeth and doing his best to look terrifying. 

Judging by Leon’s face, he was doing perhaps too good of a job. 

“Leon, please.” Merlin said, stepping in front of him and forcing his eyes away from Arthur.

Leon shifted and tightened his grip on his sword. “Merlin.” He gulped, eyes dancing between Merlin and Arthur. “You consort with werewolves?” 

“I know what you’re thinking, but they mean you no harm. They’re not a danger to Camelot, I swear to you.” Merlin couldn’t help himself – he huffed a small laugh and shook his head. “It’s the opposite, really.”

Leon frowned as he looked to the wolves at Merlin’s back, something in his eyes that Merlin couldn’t understand. He seemed to be having an internal battle as they all stood still. 

Finally, Leon spoke, his eyes never leaving Arthur. “By the laws of Camelot, I should arrest you and bring you before the king for judgement.” 

Arthur growled and Merlin tensed, his magic a whirlwind of power begging to be freed, to be allowed to protect. He kept a firm grasp on it, knowing that revealing himself as a magic user really would be the end of them. 

Leon took a deep breath, his eyes turning back to meet Merlin’s. “That’s Prince Arthur, isn’t it?” 

Arthur stopped the low rumble he had been steadily releasing, surprised. Merlin glanced back at him, an unspoken question on his lips. After all, it wasn’t his secret to tell. Arthur’s ears pricked forward, his gaze slipping back to Leon as he nodded. 

“Yes.” Merlin said simply. 

Leon dropped his sword. 

“I had always wondered…” He trailed off, glancing around. “You need to leave.”

Hope filled Merlin. “Leon, does this mean-”

“The other knights could be here any second.” Leon interrupted. “I can lead them away, but you can’t stay here.” 

“We know a place where we won’t be found.” Merlin assured him, hardly daring to believe he was letting them go. Arthur’s friend he may be, but he was not the type of knight who would easily go against the law. “Thank you.”

Leon glanced back. “Be careful. I expect to see you both tomorrow.”

Merlin nodded, stepping closer to Arthur at the same time the wolf bounded forward, leaving Merlin to fall ungracefully to the ground as Arthur made a beeline for his friend. Leon yelped in surprise as Arthur playfully nudged him, his tail wagging a mile a minute. Arthur nosed at Leon’s shoulder, the best version of a friendly slap he could give as a wolf. 

Leon stiffened, clearly uncomfortable, but gave Arthur a small nod all the same. “Sire.”

The sound of voices and armour heading their way caused them all to tense up again. The wolf behind Merlin whimpered, clearly still terrified, and Arthur was by his side again in an instant. Merlin climbed up onto his back, giving a wave to Leon as Arthur barked something out at the other wolf. And then they were away, weaving through streets and out of Camelot’s gates, the guards once again distracted by Merlin’s magic. 

It didn’t take them long to reach their cave, their journey made quicker by the pounding of their hearts and the knowledge that the night could have very easily ended much differently. 

Juliana and Evaine were waiting for them, the young pup dashing forward and yipping excitedly at Merlin’s feet as he slid from Arthur’s back. He laughed, picking her up and petting her head to appease her excitement. Out of the corner of his eye he noticed Juliana curiously inspecting the new wolf, who shied away from her, hiding away behind Arthur. 

Arthur encouraged them forward, and Merlin could tell they were having some sort of conversation that he had no hope of understanding. Finally, the new wolf looked more at ease, their tail untucking from underneath them as they relaxed. 

Evaine yipped and leapt from his arms, all excitement over her new friend. She bounced around them playfully, giving little bows and trying to entice them to play. The new wolf simply sat, confused and looking towards Juliana for help. She huffed, exasperated, and turned to go into the cave. 

Merlin had already made his way inside, a small fire set up with a bedroll beside it. He doubted he’d get any sleep – he hardly ever did on these nights – but he liked to be comfortable all the same. 

Juliana curled up on the opposite side of the fire, relaxed, though her eyes never left her daughter. 

Merlin himself turned his attention to Arthur. He was playing with Evaine, the both of them trying to entice the new wolf into playing. Merlin chuckled as he watched them, though now they were safe he couldn’t help the pit of worry in his stomach.

Just who was this werewolf that they had saved, and what were they doing living in Camelot? 

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.