Merlin Headcanons

5 Ways Merlin Found Arthur: Bandits

This one is set in a world similar, but not identical, to "Avalon" and "Merlinpocalypse". There's been a magical apocalypse, society has regressed, and Merlin's set up fortresses to defend as many people as he can. In this one though, Arthur's been reborn.

. . . . .

The men were bandits, feral predators that had embraced the new chaos with entirely too much enthusiasm. They forced their prisoner to his knees before the dais Merlin stood on and sketched small bows themselves. Even predators will show respect to one they recognized as more dangerous than they.

The man's hands were tied behind him, and his head was covered with a sack. He'd resisted the bandits' efforts to force his deference, and been punished for it with a hand tightening on his shoulder that shoudn't have hurt but obviously had. Merlin suspected he was injured. Whipped, maybe, for an escape attempt.

"My lord," one of the bandits said with exaggerated respect, "we have come to collect the reward."

Merlin raised an eyebrow. "Which one? You obviously haven't brought me Morgana." He had plenty more he was looking for, but most of those he had made clear he wanted information on only and were not to be touched. He had the power to back it up.

With a pleased smile, Bandit #1 whipped the bag off the prisoner's head.

It was Arthur.

Blood caked the side of his face. He blinked in the sudden light before his eyes settled on Merlin. Judging by the look in them though, Merlin doubted he really saw him. He was obviously concussed.

"What is this?" he demanded in low hiss.

Bandit #2 blinked in confusion. "We heard rumors that the king of the fortress wanted him brought in -

Merlin slashed his hand through the air. All three men were thrown against the wall and held there. "And that was your mistake. I'm not the king of the fortress. I'm just holding it for him."

With infinite gentleness, he helped Arthur to his feet, using magic to snap the bonds. "I'm going to take him to be healed. When I get back . . . "

He smiled, tightening their invisible bonds. "Well, use your imaginations."