The Crow Prince

2

When Merlin came to, Gwaine was still by his side with Gwen on his other. Lancelot was talking with Gaius.

He groaned, "what...?"

"Merlin!" Gwen sighed and hugged him. He coughed softly and winced.

"King Arthur hit you. You passed out," Gaius informed. "How are you feeling?"

"Fine," Merlin nodded. "I have to muck the stables."

"Its been done, Merlin," Lancelot replied, pushing his shoulder when he tried to get up. Merlin winced and dropped back to the bed.

"What's wrong?" Gaius asked, helping him sit up against the wall.

"Nothing. I'm good," Merlin groaned softly.

"Dont lie to me," Gaius stated.

"My shoulder. It's fine though," Merlin waved his hand.

"Let me see," Gaius ordered. Merlin sighed. "Out." The others left the chambers. Merling slid off his jacket and his handkerchief. He tunic followed.

His torso was splattered with different bruises, in different shades, shapes, and sizes. Cuts also mark the skin.

"Who's been doing this?" Gaius asked, looking at the dark bruise on his shoulder.

"When I'm not running tasks for Arthur, he uses me as his training dummy," Merlin sighed softly. "How did I go from prince to a bruised servant to an arrogant king?"

"It seems a turn of bad luck. You'll get your crown back," Gaius promised and set a gentle hand on his shoulder. Merlin nodded and put back on his tunic. His body ached as he stood and wobbled to the door. He left the others in and sat back down.

"Everything ok?"

"Yeah. I just hurt my shoulder yesterday," Merlin said with a small nod. Lancelot seemed unsure. "I should go see if Arthur needs anything."

"Eat," Lancelot forced. Merlin sighed but did as told. He knows Lancelot just cares for him. "The knights from Dronco seemed very concerned."

"Dronco?" Merlin asked, setting his spoon down. He casts a quick look to Gaius.

"The knights you settled before the altercation," Gwen said. "Do you know them?"

"Best tell them," Gaius advised.

"I was the prince of Dronco. My throne was seized by a friend. I haven't the power to return," Merlin said. "That's all there is to it."

"You, a prince?" Lancelot asked, arms crossing.

"Yes. Those knights must be recognizing me, which is odd. There shouldn't be a knight that still remembers me. It happened 10 years ago," Merlin nodded.

"The knights are Orian, George, and James," Gwaine added.

"Sir Orian and James were my personal guards when I left the kingdom. They were also very close to me," Merlin continued eating. "They saw what happened?"

"I assume," Gwen nodded.

"How they must think if me. Their prince, slapped by a king and forced into submission," Merlin chuckled humorlessly.

"Since when has Arthur been so cruel?" Gwaine asked, looking at the others.

"2 summers," Gwen whispered softly. Gwaine frowned. He had been a knight for 1 summer, and he was because of Arthur and the want to regain Camelot.

"He stayed with Gwen's father when he was sick. I told him Merlin was at the tavern. Hes been like this since," Gaius frowned. "I'm afraid it's my fault."

"Its not your fault, Gaius," Merlin hummed. They go silent as Merlin ate. He finished and licked his lips. "Thank you."

"Merlin!" Arthur barked as he threw open the door. It crashed into the wall, making the male winced. He set the bowl down and stood.

"Yes, sire?" He folded his arms behind his back, tensing in fear it a strike.

"What the fuck is wrong with you?" Arthur spit. "Not only did you cause a scene, you had others do the task I gave you?"

"I-"

"I ordered Merlin to rest after he passed out in the corridor. He does not spend outlandish amounts in the tavern. He doesn't like taverns. He was helping less fortunate villagers who could not pay for care or could not come. He had not eaten for a day, and he had not rested for 2!" Gaius snapped back. "Because when he's not doing so many tasks for you, he still is learning to be a physician, like his mother asked me to teach him. It comes first because you decide one day to almost get killed and your father thought a servant would prevent that again."

"You will not speak to me like that!" Arthur said, scandalized.

"Uncle, stop. The knights. I need to speak to them," Merlin deflected. "To apologize for my behavior yesterday."

"I didn't know you were related," Arthur crossed his arms.

"My mother's brother. May I go apologize?" He said, standing. He winced slightly, but stayed standing.

"Fine," Arthur glared at him for a long moment before Merlin bowed and went to find the knights from his kingdom. James and Orian had shaken George in the courtyard, on their way ti the physician chambers.

"Sir Orian, sir James," Merlin said, pulling them to a dark corner. "We dont have much time."

"It really is you, crow," James pats his cheek before hugging him. Orian gets one as well. Merlin nearly cries as James tells him of the ruin in the kingdom he abandoned.

"Frei, Hermione... did they find them?"

"Hermione died, Crow. She's gone. Frei is safe with the village folk in the mountain ruins."

"My sister, my brother?"

"As strong as ever. We'll be ready for the fight when we have you back," Orian promised.

"My friends, Lancelot, Gwen, and Gwaine... I need to speak with them. If all goes well, I will be waiting down in the lower village with them. I will return with you after the tournament," Merlin promised.

"George is a supporter of the new rule, Merlin. He'd scent you out," James said. Merlin swallowed and meet his eyes.

"Sir James Odfel, I order you as your rightful king to insure he doesn't make it to the lower village."

"Yes, Crow." James bowed and Orian followed.

"Go. I'll bring your dinner later."

"We are feasting tonight. tomorrow the tournament starts," Orian reminded.

"Oh. Your right. I haven't gotten my barings yet."

"It is quite alright," James pats his shoulder. "Now, tell us how long has King Arthur been cruel you?"

"2 summers. I should return. Stay safe, my knights," he pats each cheek gently before scurrying away. James and Orian share looks, but before either spoke, George caught up with them.

--

Merlin hunts down his friends and they go outside to speak.

"I am returning to Dronco, after the tournament."

"We'll come with," Gwen said.

"I'm going to the lower village. James and Orian are taking me home."

"We're coming," Gwaine puts a hand on his shoulder. "No matter how you plan on taking out the usurper knight, or plan on sneaking from the castle. We'll help you."

"Thank you. I need to go help Arthur."

"Of course, Merlin," Lancelot nodded, ruffles his hair, and let's Merlin scurry away.