Merlin One Shots

10 | Another Depressed Merlin.

Arthur's small hunting party was ambushed by some bandits, all the while, Merlin was obliviously collecting fire wood. Arthur and the Knights unsheathed their swords ready for a fight. As they began to fight, Arthur silently hoped that Merlin didn't come back anytime soon and get hurt.

But today wasn't his favorite day. Merlin stepped out from behind the trees and dropped the wood in his hands with a loud, clonk! All heads turned to him. Arthur mentally face palmed. Of course this would happen! Suddenly the bandit leader-who looked to be the bravest-fled, yelling behind him to the other bandits, "BLOODY RUN YOU FUCKING IDIOTS!!"

The knights and Arthur stood gobsmacked as they ran away. Everyone stared at Merlin in shock. "What?" He asked, innocently.

"W-wha...? Why are they afraid of you, Merlin??" Gwaine asked.

"They were afraid of Arthur." Merlin tried. But it didn't phase them.

"Merlin, they weren't afraid of me! In fact, they looked quite ready to fight until you showed up!" Arthur said.

Merlin backed away slowly, "Um...we should, uh, head back to Camelot incase any bandits attack again."

Leon shook his head, "I'm sure that if they attack again you'll be here to scare them off."

"I didn't scare them off!" Merlin disagreed. He didn't want to reveal his secrets tonight.

He quickly picked up the fire wood and began to make a fire. "It's getting late," He announced, "you should rest."

The knights all sat around the fire, whispering to each other about what had just happened. Merlin tried to listen in, to see how much they would piece together, but if he got too close they would stop.

From the pot of stew he was making he could only make out some of what was being said.

"...his secrets?"

"...them out....tell us."

"What if he..."

"...nah..."

"...Listening." They stopped whispering as Merlin came around with the stew.

"Mate!" Gwaine exclaimed, "This is da best!" He dug in.

Later.

"Merlin, you should get some rest." Arthur said. He was on watch and the others were already asleep.

"I'm not tired." He said, stubbornly.

Arthur just rolled his eyes. "Come on you idiot. You'll need all the energy you can get, you have to clean my stables tomorrow. And wash my Armour. And clean my room. And wash my clothes. And deliver my food. And-"

"So? I do that every day and I hardly get three hours sleep." He shrugged like it was nothing.

Arthur blinked. Three hours? That's all? "Why don't you sleep more?" He asked.

"'Cause, I think a lot. And you give me a lot a chores." He laughed.

"Oh. What could you possibly think about that keeps you up every night?" He asked.

"Why do you want to know?"

"Wait. Did I say that out loud?" Arthur asked.

Merlin chuckled, "Yes, clotpole."

"You can't address me like that Merlin."

"Oh, right. Yes, you clotpole M'Lord." He smiled, cheekily.

Arthur rolled his eyes. Typical. "Seriously though. What could you possibly think about that keeps you up every night?" He asked, again. Dang. Merlin thought-well more like hoped- that he'd forget about that. Now, he just had to think of a convincing lie. Or a good excuse.