Merlin: The Challenges of being Emrys

Chapter One: You cant Handle the Truth

Authors note:
Please review if you enjoy this this fic!
This story will be more based on male friendship rather than the love between two character such as Arthur and Gwen and other pairings like that.

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"Come on Merlin, you can do better than that." Gwaine said while blocking Merlin's blows with his sword. He was giving no effort while fighting Merlin.

"I'm.... trying.... Gwaine." Merlin breathlessly said. Every time the warlock swung his sword at Gwaine he blocked it. Merlin was no match for him.

Gwaine chuckled at Merlin's many more attempts to strike him.

"I give up!" Merlin yells as he stabs his sword into the forest floor. He plops down on the ground breathing heavily with his head in his hands. "I'm useless with a sword."

Gwaine sighs, squatting down next to him. He then puts his hand on Merlin's shoulder.
"Look at me, Merlin."

Merlin turned his head to look at Gwaine, staring into his friend's chocolate brown eyes.
"It's only been two weeks Merlin. Two weeks since I started training you out here. Two weeks that I have had to get my arse out of bed early, so I can have the chance to teach my best friend how to defend himself."

"Why do we have to go so far away from Camelot and out into the woods to train me?"

"Do you really think Arthur would let you train with us? Training with swords in only for the Knights."

Merlin looked down. Gwaine was right. Arthur would never let Merlin train with the Knights. It would probably be a disgrace for them to teach a servant to fight with a sword.

"You risk your life every time you step out of that castle with us. You never leave Arthur to go out there without you. Yet, you never bring a weapon with you to defend yourself. How you've managed to survive this long, I don't know. But I think it's time for you to be able to defend yourself if there ever comes a point when we're all down and it's just you left standing. Or if someone is about to attack you and we are all too busy to come to your rescue. Which is why you can not give up."

Merlin contemplated what Gwaine said for a moment. In their eyes, Merlin was defenseless. A weak boy who couldn't defend himself against anything life threatening. But they were wrong. Merlin has magic, he can defend himself just fine, but Merlin knew that he needed to do this. There will be a time when people are around and he can't use his magic to save himself. He would need to fight like every other normal person, with a sword and not magic.

Merlin looked back up at Gwaine. He simply nodded and a small smiled formed from his lips. Gwaine returned the smile, and patted the raven haired boy on the shoulder. The knight got up and extended his arm which was soon was met by Merlin's hand. He pulled Merlin up rather harshly which caused him to stumble a little.

Merlin grabbed his sword and the two guys started to make their way back to the castle.
Merlin quickly extended his arm out to the side, bumping Gwaine in the chest. A simple gesture telling him to stop walking. Gwaine looked down at the thin arm that was currently across his chest, then up at Merlin who looked like he was listening for something.

"What is it?" Gwaine whispered.

"Shh." Merlin replied quietly. He listened a little more, but before he could worn Gwaine, seven bandits suddenly emerged out of the forest around them, swords ready.
Gwaine unsheathed his sword and charged right at them.

Merlin began to panic. Gwaine won't be able to fight all those men on his own, he would have to fight too. With determination, Merlin held up his sword and charged in after Gwaine. Adrenaline kicked in and Merlin started aimlessly throwing his sword around. Occasionally slashing a bandit here and there. Gwaine had already taken down one, giving him a severe blow to the chest.