Arthur Pendragon x reader Imagines (BBC Merlin)

Safe

Slight SA mentioned nothing graphic but still a warning nonetheless.
——————

Merlin, Arthur, Guinevere, and yourself had made camp after a rescue mission to save you and Gwen. The fire made you sleepy, but every time you closed your eyes you would see the bandit's face as he tried to force himself upon you. He hadn't gotten the chance, Thank God! But it still had spooked you.

The way his fingertips had bruised your arm. The way his breath reeked of decay. The way his slimy voice spoke to you had made your skin crawl. You shuddered to even think of what he was capable of, but luckily for you, you had the affection of Prince Arthur on your side.
You remembered the way he had ripped the bandit off of you and shot him in the head with his crossbow, killing him instantly. He then scooped your shaking, and terrified body up into his arms and ran with you to safety.

He placed you onto his horse and he followed suit placing himself behind you. He did this for a reason because any projectile that could be thrown or shot would hit him, not you.

You leaned your head back into his chest and he held the reins with one hand as he held your joined hands in his other. He squeezed them softly, telling you without words that you were safe there with him. Nobody would hurt you again, not on his watch; he loved you too much to let that happen.

Once Merlin and Gwen rode up beside the two of you, they saw the prince holding his lover tightly to his chest. Both servants knew of the feelings their masters held for each other, the few people that were trusted enough to know.

After getting far enough away the four of you made camp. Gwen got a fire going and Merlin and her left to go retrieve extra firewood.

Arthur appeared to notice your shaken up state as he moved over on the log he sat on. He beckoned you over and you nestled into his warmth without complaint. His red cloak wrapped around you and you nuzzled deeper into his side.

His head dipped down and kissed your forehead, "sleep my darling, you're safe now; no one will hurt you as long as I'm here." He whispered softly. You smiled and leaned your head against his chest and from the crackling fire and the calm strokes of his hand in your hair, it lulled you to sleep instantly.

When Gwen and Merlin returned they were laughing at something, and Arthur snapped at them to be quiet and pointed at the sleeping beauty at his side. The two servants shut up almost instantly seeing you were finally asleep.

When you awoke the following morning you found yourself sleeping on someone's bedroll. You were also enveloped in warmth by a red cloak. You knew had to have been Arthur's as he was the only one here who could afford it. You wrapped it around yourself and stood up.

You looked around for Arthur only to find him wide awake leaning against a tree. You walked over silently and wrapped your arms around him feeling how tense he was under his armor. He tensed but eased slightly once he recognized your hands. "Have you been up all this time?" You ask him softly.

He turned around to find you covered in the Pendragon red, a red—he thought, that suited you perfectly. "Yeah, I couldn't sleep, wasn't tired; so I decided to stand guard all night." He answered.

You cupped his cheek, "well, it's still early, come lay for a few hours." You suggest but he shakes his head, but he should have known what he was getting into when he started loving you; you were a woman who never took "no" for an answer.

"Come on, Pendragon; I'll even let you cuddle me." You propose and Arthur quickly agreed; the man didn't look it but he loved to cuddle with you.

He laid down on his bedroll first and then pulled you down to practically lay on top of him. He hugged you to his chest and not soon after he was snoring softly. You looked up at him and rolled your eyes, "not tired, my ass." You mumble before falling back asleep trapped in the warmth of his arms.

When Merlin woke up, he looked over and shook Gwen awake too. She looked where Merlin was pointing and covered her mouth to stop from giggling. There was Arthur and there you were snuggled essentially on top of him asleep. Arthur held you protectively in his sleep as though you would be ripped from his arms if he didn't.

"They're so adorable." Guinevere states to Merlin who only nodded in agreement.