Wrap Your Arms Around Me (merdred)

16. Into the Dark

        THEY SPENT THE REST OF THE DAY helping the townsfolk clean up the mess Morgana had made. They picked up the debris from the homes, replacing what they could, as others helped put out the remaining fires. They gathered the wood fences and tied them back in place with rope, and herded what was left of the livestock back in the pens after they'd been spooked. Merlin and Gwaine had helped the villagers dig out the old, withered vegetables in the gardens and plant some new ones. Arthur said he would send some knights back in a couple of days with some extra food for the villagers while they waited for their crops to grow back. In the end, the place looked better than when they arrived. Although they couldn't bring back the dead, they helped in other ways.

Merlin was proud of Arthur. He'd really shown the man he'd become today. A couple years ago, he would've simply turned back, but instead, he proved that he had kindness in his heart.

It was nightfall by the time they finished helping the village. The only light was provided by the torches on the sides of buildings as they walked along the path. They were all exhausted. As if the trip hadn't been tiring enough, they spent the whole day hauling things back and forth and kneeling down on the ground. Merlin was ready to sleep for a week straight.

Since it was so dark, they had decided to stay in the village until morning. Originally they were going to camp outside, but the townsfolk convinced them to sleep in one of the spare homes. They conceded in the end and followed the same man to a nice home at the end of the path. The door creaked when he opened it, reminding Merlin of his childhood home. Inside, there was a fire burning that instantly warmed him up. The cottage was a medium size with a couple rooms and beds. Some of the knights would have to share, or use blankets as makeshift beds on the floor, but Merlin didn't mind the latter.

"Home, sweet home," Gwaine grinned and plopped himself down on the nearest bed in exhaustion. "If you haven't already guessed, I call dibs on this one," he mumbled into the mattress.

They all laughed at this, but were too tired to fight him on the matter. Percival took a spot on the other bed in the room and collapsed into it silently. Well, it looked like this room had already been claimed. Merlin's eyes glanced up to the small set of stairs leading towards another room.

He walked up them and looked inside the room to find three more beds. They were only one short. Merlin wished there could've been another room so he and Mordred could be secluded from the others. He felt a pang in his heart when he realized they wouldn't be able to fall asleep together.

Arthur sighed from behind him. "Well, three beds and four people. Looks like someone's going to have to sleep on the floor. Merlin?"

He rolled his eyes at the king but he didn't really mind anyway. It wouldn't be the first time he had to sleep on the ground. But before he could answer, Mordred cut in.

"Nonsense. I'll take the floor," the knight said with a smile. He happily grabbed a sheet and spare pillow off a bed and set them onto the floor before lying down. "See? Comfy as could be."

Merlin couldn't tell if he was being honest. Mordred was a very modest person, of course he'd make Merlin take the bed. "I really don't mind," he blushed lightly.

Arthur groaned like he was annoyed. "Oh my god. It's too late for this. Why don't you both sleep on the floor if you're so worried," he joked, which made Merlin and Mordred send looks at each other like the idea wasn't so bad. "I was kidding! You two are hopeless."

There was no more banter after that. Merlin had given in and allowed the knight to sleep on the floor while he laid down on the bed. Oh, how he missed this. He hadn't slept in a bed like this since he lived in Ealdor. Even his poor bed in Camelot was more comfortable, but still, it felt nostalgic.