Title: Learning the Rules

Disclaimer: Merlin is owned by the BBC and other associated parties. I do not make any profit from this story and the plot is purely fiction.

Summary: AU, slash, A/M, When someone new comes to court, it's up to some of the more seasoned people in Camelot's court to take them aside and explain a few rules...about Merlin.

Warnings: fluff, humor, jealous!Arthur, indulgent!Merlin, slash

Pairings: ArthurxMerlin, Gwaine/Elyan/Lancelot/Percival/LeonxOMC

Author's Note: This from a kinkme_Merlin #18 prompt that made me smile and really want to write it: Arthur/Merlin, When someone new comes to court (a knight, servant, noble, etc.) someone more seasoned in Camelot's court takes them aside to explain a few rules... about Merlin.
1.) If you want anything done or ordered fast mention it around Merlin. Merlin babbles everything to his crown prince.
2.) Don't touch Merlin for more than five seconds because Prince Arthur gets jealous.
3.) Don't try to use Merlin to get to the Prince because not only will he see through you, the Prince and kitchen staff will also be angry.

I might add a few of my own, but this is the main prompt. Hope you enjoy.

xXx

Jared of Kenshire, second son of Lord Kenshire pulled up his horse as he crested the hill, taking in the scene of the castle and city before him. It was even more breath taking then he had imagined. That he was going to be living here for however long it was need to become a knight didn't seem so bad now that he saw it.

He rode down the hill towards the city. He slowed his horse with a gentle tug, looking around for someone to direct him. A tall, pale man with a messy mop of black hair, dressed in peasants garb was just exiting the castle, looking harried as his long strides quickly took him over the cobble stones.

"You there, can you tell me where I might be able to find Prince Arthur?" He asked the man.

Head turning on a long, pale neck, he was met with bright blue eyes that looked up at him as he sat astride his horse. He nodded, smiling up at him. 'I can show you where he is. I was just on my way to deliver something." He held up a sword that he hadn't noticed was in his grasp. "His sword broke just now and I had to get his replacement."

"Oh, thank you." Dismounting, he followed the servant.

He paused in front of a large stable. "You can leave your horse here. The stable hands can take care of him while you're busy." Nodding, he handed his ever faithful mount over to a waiting man, giving him a pat before continuing his journey.

The walk was short, taking them around the side of the castle towards a large expanse of land that had a fence circling it. He jumped as a voice yelled out across the field. "What took so long, Merlin? I haven't got all day."

Jared stared in frozen awe for a few seconds as he took in the crown prince, and the group of knights surrounding him. They were dirty and sweaty, their armor caked in dust, but the aura around them made him yearn to become a part of that group.

"I wasn't gone that long. Besides I was helping him out. He says he was looking for you." Jared jerked back into reality when he heard Merlin talk, handing the sword over to the prince.

At the servant's words, piercing blue eyes turned his way, seeming to go right through him, judging and summing up everything he had ever done, thought, or spoken in his entire life. Finally, he blinked and he was able to look away. "Who are you?" Prince Arthur asked.

"I am Jared of Kenshire, sire. Second son of Lord Kenshire." He stated proudly. Puffing up a little. His face heated up at the snorts and chuckles of laughter from the other knights. They stopped at a look from Arthur.

"A name would have sufficed, Jared of Kenshire. Tell me, why do you seek me?" He asked, though he must have already guessed by now.

"I come hoping to be able to train and become a knight of Camelot." He said, feeling nervous in the face of the prince and his other knights. They were all large and muscular, carrying the weight of their armor and swords with ease. He, although fairly tall, was not that muscular. With lightly tanned skin, freckles coating his nose and cheeks, and reddish brown hair that was cut short, he felt small in comparison.

"A good answer, but it will take more than hope to become a knight of Camelot. First you must prove yourself to be knight material. If you can last a minute against me, you will be able to train with us and if you prove yourself, then can you become a knight."

There was a snort to the left, but he didn't look as he nodded. "Then go pick out a sword and some chainmail from the armory." He followed one of the knights. The servant Merlin stayed behind, talking to the prince. "That was a bit much, Arthur." His voice drawled easily. "Shut up, Merlin." Arthur shot back, but it was said good naturedly. He did get to hear anymore as he was soon out of ear shot.

Shame shaded his cheeks red as he lay on the ground, trying to catch the breath that had been knocked out of him when he'd landed hard on the packed ground. He wasn't sure if he had lasted two seconds, let alone a full minute. It had all been a blur as the Prince came at him full force.

He'd scrambled to call up all the arms master back home had taught him, hastily bring up his shield to block a blow that would have loped an arm off if not for the sheet of metal. He could feel a bruise forming even as he lay there.

Pushing himself up into a sitting position, he waited with his head down for the Prince's verdict. "Training is every morning, an hour after dawn. Don't be late. Also, talk with the head of staff. If you don't have your own servant, than one will be assigned to you." With that he left, Merlin trailing behind with a grin.

He jumped when a hand was shoved in front of his eyes, holding a water skin. "Buck up. No one beats Arthur the first time…or the next fifty times either. You get used to falling on your arse after a while." He looked up to see the knights had gathered near him. He took it with a nod of thanks and gulped thirstily from it. The one who handed it to him held out a hand. "I'm Gwaine."

He shook it. He pointed to the four other there. "That's Percival, Leon, Elyan, and Lancelot." He nodded to each in turn. "It would be best to go find the head of staff and get everything settled. Then come find us and we'll show you around Camelot, tell you everything you need to know." He nodded and stood. Dusting himself off as much as he could, he made his slow progress back to the armory to return his loaned armor.

It was just after dinner that he found himself with free time. He'd spent most of the day with the head of staff, getting everything he might need. The first on the list had been a man servant who would clean up after him and run his errands. Of course they wouldn't do it for free and would have to be paid by him, but money wasn't important. He would be getting an allowance from his father every month to help with anything he might need to buy.

Then rooms had to be found and cleaned out, his things would find their way there soon. After that was a trip to arms master to get his own set of armor, shield, and chainmail. He already had a sword and dagger, but it would have to be later that he went to the blacksmith to have his own armor made, fit for him.

By the end of the day, he was tired, aching and sore all over. The last thing he wanted was to do was to go on a tour with the five knights. But that would be rude, so instead of dragging his lagging carcass to his bed, he made his way to where he'd been show that the knights were housed.

Just as he turned into the corridor, one of the doors opened and Gwaine walked out. "There you are. Was wondering when you would get around to coming here. Come the others are already waiting." Grabbing him by the elbow, he started to tug the tired man back the way he came.

When he said waiting, he assume it was outside. He wasn't expecting a walk to the local tavern, which was crowed and loud, where he was dragged into it and forced into a seat at a large table where the other four already sat.

They greeted the two with slaps on the back, making Jared wince as a bruise was hit, as it jarred him with enough force to make his teeth rattle. Sitting down, he accepted the tankard of mead, taking a cautious sip from it. It was slightly rough, but sweet tasting.

"So Jared, since you are new here, there are a few things you should know, so as not to get you into any trouble." Gwaine started.

"Rules." He supplied.

"Yes, rules…about Merlin." He elaborated for him.

"Merlin?" Arthur's servant?

"Yes, Merlin. Now pay attention. First off, if you want anything done or ordered fast mention it around Merlin. Merlin babbles everything to the crown prince." Gwaine grinned at that.

"Don't touch Merlin for more than five seconds because Prince Arthur gets jealous." Leon said next, looking grave as he said it.

"Jealous?" He was confused.

"You heard right. Merlin is Arthur's and the prince wants everyone to know that, no matter who they are. The last person who ignored that particular rule left Camelot in tears after Arthur was through with her. Of course, she was a conniving little witch, but that's beside the point." Gwaine seemed to find this amusing as well, for he was grinning.

"Don't try to use Merlin to get to the Prince. Because not only will he see through you, the Prince and kitchen staff will also be angry." Lancelot piped in.

"Don't make fun of Merlin's ears. Only Arthur is allowed that privilege." Percival said gravely, his voice rumbling a little.

"Don't try and push any work onto him, he already works for Gaius the Court Physician and Arthur and doesn't need the extra work." Elyan added.

"Don't take offense to the way Arthur and Merlin talk to each other, it's just the way they are." "Don't boss Merlin around when Arthur's around." "If Merlin says he needs your help and that it's important, help him. Arthur tends to get in a lot of tight spots and Merlin seems to be the only one who can bail him out half the time." "Always be courteous to Merlin, it pays off in the long run."

"Never threaten or hurt Merlin in any way. Not unless you have a death wish." Gwaine said, an evil grin plastered on his face. "Remember Sir Dane?" he asked the other knights.

"Never seen a grown man cry so hard."

"Other than that, you should be good. Oh, and don't even bother trying to be anything but a friend to Merlin. He's taken."

"You know, by now, they're probably telling him the rules." Merlin said aloud, helping Arthur undress. It was taking longer than necessary as he kept getting distracted by random patches of skin.

"Good. People need to know that you're mine." Arthur growled out the last word, tugging his shirt off the rest of the way.

Merlin just smiled and stepped forward, wrapping his arms around his neck. "I know that, but it doesn't mean you have to be a prat about it. You're going to scare off the boy with those rules. Especially if Gwaine is having as much fun as he had with the last one who wanted to become a knight. Poor guy, he never stood a chance."

Arthur bit softly at his lower lip, drawing his attention back to the blonde. He raised an eyebrow as if saying 'Why aren't you paying attention to me?' "Mine."

"Yours." Merlin said back softly, letting the blonde take his mouth in a gentle kiss.

Down in the tavern, Jared was deep in his cups, making a solemn vow to never get on Merlin's bad side as long as he lived.

End.