Merlin's magic (Oneshots) 1

Circus

Rooster fights were a gamble. The knights loved it. Betting on chicken with hard earned money they got from fighting for Camelot.
It was all about fights really.
How to gain honor? Fight in a tournament. How to gain glory? Fight a beast.
How to be popular? Fight a magical one.
It was really just that. Fight and you will be appreciated. No matter who you are. Who you fancy. Who your family was.
After Arthur became king, he made sure that those values were secured and not diminished by his fathers misplaced perception of royalty.

Rooster fights were a weird reflection of those values. The chicken will fight for their lives, the knights will bet on them. And in the end there will be a small feast for the winners.
Win win for everyone. (Except the roosters. But that wasn't important to them.)

Except for one person. But Arthur thought, this was alright. His servant didn't need to know about ALL his activities. And he wouldn't be happy about those little games anyway.
He would totally hate them. And shout some nonsense about animal cruelty.
Arthur rather didn't have Merlin here. He would just ruin all the fun.

Which is exactly why he jumped from his seat like a caught criminal, when Merlin busted open the door to the tavern. He was breathing heavily.
His back against the wooden door like he had been running from something - or someone.

He took a few moments to catch his breath, until he finally saw Arthur. With money in one hand, and a goblet of ale in the other. Around them knights were cheering for the roosters that were eating each other alive.

Merlin stared at the scene, eyes going wide, like Arthur had anticipated.
The king sighed. Knowing what Merlin must be thinking. Only that he really didn't know at all what Merlin was thinking.
The boy basically sleepwalked towards the fighting chicken, through the masses of knights.
"What the hell are you doing."
It wasn't a question. There was pure horror written on his face as he saw the bloody and feathery mess on the floor. Forgotten was what he had been running from. All that counted was the explanation to well - this.

Gwaine seemed to be spotting him first. "Merlin, mate! Come over here! You wanna bet on the chicken too? I tell you, the brighter one is winning! It's a sure win!"
Leon cut in. "Don't be ridiculous! It's clearly the brown one!"
Merlin's head snapped around. A furious anger in his eyes. Far more intense than what Arthur would have expected. He had settled to expected disappointment - not rage.

Merlin ignored Gwaine and Leon and went straight for Arthur, instead.
"Stop this at once!"
Arthur rolled his eyes. "These are just chicken, Merlin."

"NO they are NOT! They are alive, Arthur! What you're doing is so wrong, you have no idea!", Merlin shouted, catching the attention of all the surrounding knights who know stopped paying attention to the roosters. Who were still fighting each other.
Gwaine looked guilty instantly. Leon was just confused all of a sudden.
Merlin was clearly fighting with something more here. But they couldn't make out what it was. All they saw were the tears in Merlin's eyes. Fueled by anger. Not sadness. Fear, not disappointment.

"Why are you so angry. They are just animals. They were going to be cooked anyway.", Arthur shrugged his shoulders but that just seemed to make things even worse.

"They are going to be - are you KIDDING me!", Merlin pulled at his own hair in disbelieve. "I can't believe this. I can't -
This is torture. How do I deserve this?", at this point Merlin was mostly talking to himself now.

"Oh come on, Merls -", Gwaine began, now closing on to his irratic friend.
"Shut up, Gwaine!", Merlin stopped and snapped at Gwaine. At GWAINE! Taken aback, the knight took a few steps backwards. Merlin had always supported him. Never shouted at him. This was a first.