Disclaimer: You may want to sit down for this. But I do not own BBC Merlin. I do own my OCs though, so no one is allowed to take them in any way, shape, or form.

IMPORTANT- Read everything please!

A huge thank you to Drakan772 for beta-ing. You rock!

Now before you all get excited this is only the prequel to the King's Legacy sequel. Or a sequel to Just Desserts. Whichever. The actual sequel to The King's Legacy is still in the works and won't be out any time soon.

**I changed something in The King's Legacy that everyone needs to know. There was an OC named Hadwyn (Aldwin's younger brother) who I said was a guard. But I remembered that since he's a noble, he wouldn't be a guard. Duh, so he's a knight now.**

Regarding spoilers for Season 4- There is a teensy one that wasn't really even mentioned in the premiere. Just speculation based on historical fact that may or may not be true of season 4.

But there are in fact spoilers for Just Desserts and the King's Legacy so I would highly suggest everyone read those before this.

And I've put a timeline of the King's Legacy verse in my profile, for any of you who are interested :)

Now Enjoy!

~/0\~

Pale moonlight reflected off the white stone walls of the castle and the stars glittered in the dark sky. The scent of smoke still lingered in the air and clung to the city of Camelot and the forest surrounding it; a remnant from the recent occupation of Morgana's forces. The ground itself was bruised with the marching footprints of the enemy soldiers' boots, as well as Camelot's peasants and knights toiling through the forest for wood and to hunt.

Long cracked nails stroked the rough trunk of an old chestnut tree and some pieces of fragile bark were peeled off with audible snaps. A single toll of giddy laughter scratched the quiet of the forest, causing the other figure to jump. "My- my lord?" He asked softly.

The taller man turned his hooded head slightly causing the starlight overhead to gleam off his long, dull ginger hair. "What are you waiting for? Light it," Redding ordered.

"Yes my lord." His servant struggled with a flint and managed to spark a flame on the dry grass resting at the base of the tree.

The former lord gave a chilling smile as he watched the servant fan the small flames. When he was satisfied that the tree would soon burn, he retreated toward the city and out of the forest which he hoped would be set ablaze. Matthew hurried along behind him, as always whispering words of praise to Redding. The disgraced lord smiled at hearing the words spew forth from the ugly man's mouth. Matthew had been his servant in Whitebridge for years, until Redding's title was stripped from him by King Uther. But Matthew loved his master, and loved the things Redding would have him do- beat the servants who were out of line, slip poison into some noble's drink, or set fire to forests to help with his master's revenge.

For Redding only lived for one thing now, and that was to gain revenge on those who were responsible for his fall from grace. His once luxurious ginger hair was now lank and unkempt, his smooth skin- dirty, his lovely nails jagged and broken. And he had one simple boy to thank for that- the prince's servant, Merlin. His worn boots tread quietly past the rolling ground of the forest to the rough rock of the caves that had become his temporary home. They were far enough from the forest to be safe from the fire they had started, but not too far from the city.

"Oh look, my lord, you can see the smoke!" Matthew pointed out. Redding looked to see a swelling ribbon of grey smoke that was lighter than the sky containing it and his lips twisted into a smirk. He had never appreciated fire before, not when he had a title and a manor. Only when his life had become a burnt crisp of what it once was did he appreciate the destruction fire could cause- the scalding hate that it could leave behind.

His success went up in flames, so Camelot would too. And if not the city, at least Merlin would. Redding would make sure he would die choking on smoke and fire peeling the skin from his bones.

It would be poetic.

~/0\~

The words on the paper before him blurred together and Merlin tried to rub the tired sting out of his eyes, but to no avail. He groaned and let his head fall to the table, the loud thunk causing the prince to look up from his own stack of reports. A rare laugh escaped his lips when Merlin sat back up and rubbed his forehead, muttering a string of unintelligible words under his breath. "Come on, we don't have that much more to go," Arthur said patiently. They had been working late for the past week since they had beaten the immortal army, and there had not been much room for smiles of any sort. Except for a proud beam from Merlin when Arthur took charge and became prince regent yesterday- the dragonlord had to check himself from smiling when he thought about it, knowing that it only meant added stress for Arthur, on top of the worry he felt for his father whom was still in bed.

Merlin gave him a look which caused the prince to roll his eyes and laugh again. "Alright, only a few more and then we can call it a night."

They were sitting at the prince's table and had only the numerous candles for light. "Fine," Merlin drew out the word. "I should get a raise for this." The servant planted his elbows on the table and rested his chin in his hands, once more reading the report.

"Merlin?"

"Mhm?"

"Shut up."

"Really? But then I couldn't tell you that Lord Fish Lips is siphoning gold from the armourer's profit," Merlin said slyly.

"What?" Arthur immediately stole the report in front of Merlin and scanned it, his eyes roving over the paper before settling on Merlin exasperatedly. "The numbers are as they should be."

"No they aren't." Merlin pushed five other reports toward Arthur. "Look, this is the amount that Eric charged for six more cuirasses. He usually charges more remember?"

Arthur blinked and rubbed his eyes, looking to where Merlin was now pointing to Lord Harris' allowance. "Fish Lips has earned a bit more here. Which is odd, considering everyone's wages are lower now. And he just earns the difference to Eric's profit?" Merlin grinned. "You're welcome."

Arthur heaved a loud sigh and gathered Merlin's evidence while the servant got up to stretch and continued to talk. "Honestly, what was he thinking? Did he even try to hide it?"

"I should have asked you to help me with these ages ago." Arthur rubbed his forehead.

Merlin smiled from where he had found his way to the window. "Asked? I think you mean forced."

"Oh please," Arthur rolled his eyes. "I'm not forcing you to do anything."

"Sure you're not. You are just-"

The prince looked up at Merlin uneasily when his friend cut off. "Merlin, are you alright?" Arthur stood up when Merlin did not answer. "Merlin?" Arthur did not even try to keep the worry out of his tone; he was fearful that Merlin was thinking of Driscoll, as he was prone to do before Morgana's occupation. Which was one of the reasons Arthur was having Merlin help him with reports- keeping him busy seemed to do the trick in keeping his mind off things that the prince didn't want him to think about.

"Arthur look!" Merlin threw open the window and pointed into the night. While Arthur was relieved that Merlin seemed to be fine, he was wary of the stricken tone the dragonlord was using. Arthur strode to the window and peered out, gasping when he found the source of Merlin's worry.

"Smoke," Arthur breathed. Light grey streams of smoke were fluttering through the dark sky and above the darker forest. "Merlin, sound the warning bell! Hurry!" Arthur ordered and sprinted from the room already calling for the guards. Merlin did not do what the prince asked right away- he eyed the doorway Arthur had fled and turned back to view the smoke. His lids closed for barely two seconds before he opened them, revealing his eyes which glowed like the sun.

Thunder immediately crashed and rumbled, clouds billowing through the sky and leeching the light from the stars and moon; when the first beads of rain dropped through the window, Merlin smiled. He pulled the window closed and jogged out of the room to find Arthur.

It looked like the fire would not need to be put out by the guards after all.

~/0\~

Redding frowned at the blinding light grey sky. The smell of the soaked earth and the dampness of the air was an affront to his senses. The fire he had meant to start barely even had time to grow before the storm came out of nowhere and vanquished it. Shuffling footsteps crunching through the rocks and pebbles behind him alerted Matthew's presence.

"That must have been a mere fluke my lord. We can light more and there cannot be a storm every time!" Matthew cried. If he only knew how wrong he was.

"Of course, you fool." Redding turned and fixed his slightly mad brown upon his servant. He ran his hands across his stubbled jaw as he thought. "I should attack one of the wheat fields next."

"Excellent idea, my lord."

"But first I'd like to enter the city. There are refugees heading there, I can blend in with their ilk," Redding said distastefully. "And cause some accidents."

"Splendid, my lord." Matthew bowed.

"You know what to do," Redding said and swept toward the forest. The servant bowed excitedly after him and stayed where he was. The former lord made his way carefully through the trees, wary of potential patrols. He eventually made his way close to the gates and waited in the shadows of the pine trees. The refugees he had seen filing in from the west finally came through the forest, many of their relieved faces causing Redding to sneer.

The group of peasants passed by him and Redding drew the hood of his bark coloured cloak over his head and followed them when they were far but not too far away from him. The shadow from his hood masked Redding's smile as he walked under the gates and passed the severe gazes of the guards. The overtired refugees were led toward the castle but Redding slipped into an alleyway as soon as he was able. His first order of business was to walk around the city to assess the progress of Camelot's recovery; what measures were being taken, how many people were left, how many were injured, and all such information. But most important of all, where Merlin was.

The sun was high in the clear sky when Redding found him. He was helping rebuild one of the surprisingly few broken houses in the lower town with numerous peasants, and even a few knights who were only recognizable by the swords at their hips. From his hiding place, Redding studied the knights warily; two of them he did not recognize; one was the tallest man he had ever seen and the other was dark skinned and standing on the scaffolding built up inside the ruined building. But his eyes narrowed upon recognizing the blonde knight- Sir Gerrick was the second most impertinent excuse for a man he had ever had the displeasure of meeting, the first of course being Merlin.

Redding's lip curled when the lithe knight laughed uproariously and punched the tall, muscular knight on the arm. He hoped the man would do something rash but was disappointed when he only grinned and said something to Merlin who started to laugh. The peasants around them seemed infected by their cheer and previously sombre faces began to lighten. Redding did not like that.

He ran his eyes over the house and to the work horse tied to an empty cart, and smirked when an idea formed in his head. Redding sidled out of the ally and blended perfectly in with the peasants. His path took him closer to the building, and to Merlin.

~/0\~

Merlin could not help but laugh at Percival's clever comeback to Gerrick's taunt. The blonde haired knight tried to look offended but couldn't help the wide grin on his lips. Gerrick laughed and led Merlin to the half destroyed wall beside the house they were rebuilding. "Have a drink," he sighed and took a gulp from a water skin before passing it to Merlin.

The servant abandoned an attempt to roll his eyes and instead took a small swallow. "I don't think you can rile Percival. He's not Aldwin," Merlin smirked and glanced at the enormous knight. Gerrick leaned to the side to look at Percival and gave a non-committal hum while wiping the sweat from his brow.

"Doesn't look like the sort of bloke that gets embarrassed easily either, unlike Winny. No? Drink more." Gerrick intercepted the flask on its way back to the wall and kept it in Merlin's hands.

Merlin sighed at his failed, if doomed from the start distraction. Gerrick's keen grey eyes studied him as he drank another swig of water. A call from the peasants atop the scaffolding drew their eyes. One of the men standing against the bright sun was waving at them.

"Sir Gerrick my lord!" Peter, a bearded peasant called. "Would you please pass me those pegs, sir?" Merlin scowled and snatched the bag of pegs which were closer to him. Elyan and Percival had been taking Gerrick's queue of treating Merlin like he was a child which led to the other peasants treating him as such. An uncommon frown passed over Gerrick's face as he followed Merlin- sniffing at the sudden tension and taking it personally.

Merlin sighed. "It's been three months now, Gerrick, you don't have to walk on eggshells anymore."

"So you're admitting there was reason to before?"

Merlin stopped to glare at the knight but faltered when he saw the blinding grin on the man. Merlin scoffed and wacked Gerrick with the bag of pegs, continuing on his way to the scaffolding. Gerrick sniggered and skipped after him. Elyan was starting down the ladder when Percival shouted out.

The terrified whinny of the work horse rang out and Gerrick just managed to haul Merlin backward as the panicked horse charged blindly at the scaffolding. They collided hard amongst the splinters and mud on the ground- Merlin and Gerrick working together to jump up and draw each other away from the horse.

It was bucking and twisting, each jump spinning its way closer to the scaffolding. There were shouts of helpless warnings from the workers and the citizens around. The horse's hooves made contact with a wooden beam and snapped it clean in half, causing the entire structure to groan. "Elyan!" Merlin shouted just as the knight leaped from the ladder and on to the back of the bucking pack horse, which screamed another whinny.

Everyone looked on with bated breath as the dark skinned knight was nearly thrown off. He clung with his arms and legs, pulling on the reins. The horse thrashed around for a bit more before it stilled, its ribs heaving. It was silent as Elyan waited for the horse to further calm before sliding off its back but keeping a hold of the horse's mane.

He looked almost bashfully at all who were staring at him with amazement. "All in a day's work, yeah?"

A rumble of relieved laughter came from the peasants while Merlin and the knights looked toward Percival who was scanning the streets fervently. "There was a hooded man who scared that horse," he informed them seriously, and glanced at the now tired pack horse. "In a brown cloak. I no longer see him."

Gerrick frowned and took barely a second to think before gesturing to Percival and Elyan. "Alright. You two search for him while I go inform Prince Arthur. Let's go Merlin."

"Yes, Sir," Elyan said while Percival nodded and then they swiftly departed to start searching.

To his credit, Merlin did not complain and walked hurriedly beside Gerrick toward the castle. "Who would do that?" The warlock thought aloud.

"Anyone who is an enemy of Camelot. We'll need to tighten security- I have a bad feeling about this," Gerrick frowned.

Merlin's lips smiled with a touch of humour. "Aldwin is rubbing off on you, it seems."

The knight's only response was to give Merlin a light shove and pick up his pace.

~/0\~

Early afternoon sunlight gleamed inside the throne room from the windows. Its rays shone softly on the prince regent, sitting regally on his father's throne. A frown sat on Arthur's face and his sapphire eyes were pinned on Sir Gerrick, as he related the news of a possible intruder in Camelot. Two other knights and the prince's servant listened in- the dragonlord not even trying to hide that he was picking off the dirt and splinters on his clothes from his and Gerrick's fall from earlier. The fact that he had officially became the prince regent's servant two days ago, only affected his bearing for the first hour.

His attention was recaptured when Arthur slumped infinitesimally into the wooden throne, something only Merlin noticed. A quiet but strong voice spoke across from Merlin. "If I may, Sire, it would be wise to not discount this as a coincidence."

The prince looked to Sir Cadmon and nodded. "I agree. Gwaine, the source of the fire last night was not natural, correct?" He and Cadmon looked to the easy going knight.

"Definitely not," Gwaine answered lightly. He had a hand on his hip and stood with none of the fatigue that was starting to plague the prince. "I should know, I have started many a fire in my time."

"I don't even want to know," Arthur said with a hint of a smile.

Uncharacteristically, Gerrick brought him back to business. "Whoever it is, if it is one person, cannot be a citizen of Camelot. So who are they?"

"We can find that out when we catch them," Merlin pointed out.

"We, Merlin?" Arthur asked with a raised eyebrow. The servant just rolled his blue eyes and sent the prince a look.

Merlin then adopted a serious expression and looked to Arthur. "It's obvious he came in with the refugees today. But I don't think it could have been one of them."

"You never know. But he could have used their arrival to throw us off his trail," Gerrick mused.

Merlin nodded and continued with Arthur's full attention. "Either way, it might be a good idea to ask them if they recognize a tall man in a brown cloak."

Arthur nodded and looked to Cadmon. "See it done. And have their belongings searched."

"Yes, Sire," the grey haired knight said. He bowed before nodding his farewell to everyone and walking out of the room.

"Gwaine, tell Leon that from this point on, no one leaves or enters the city without being searched and questioned. And have him post more guards at each gate, as well as increase patrols," Arthur ordered, "I will not have Camelot's recovery hindered in any way."

"I'm on it." Gwaine spared a wave for Merlin before strutting out of the throne room. Gerrick looked to Arthur for further orders, and one was already rolling off the prince's tongue.

"Go help with the search, Gerrick."

"Yes Sire!" The knight bowed and walked briskly out of the throne room.

Arthur ordered the knights guarding the entrance out, and when the doors closed, he turned to Merlin. "Do you think it's Morgana?" Arthur asked right away.

"Definitely not," Merlin answered, "She likes- seems to like, grander plans."

"You're right," the prince sighed. "Although, if a fire had been started, it would have been devastating."

"It won't happen," Merlin said with determination.

Arthur raised a blonde eyebrow. "I hardly think you can stop a forest fire."

Merlin was too busy backtracking to notice the slight doubt in his friend's voice. "No, of course not, but you can't think that way," he said quickly.

"Really? Usually you're the one pointing out everything that can go wrong," Arthur smirked. Merlin pretended to look offended by flicking a piece of hay out of his hair.

"You're going to have to pick that up you know," Arthur drawled.

"I'll just get a lowly servant to do it," Merlin grinned. It didn't seem that he would stop bragging about his new authority over the other castle servants, though no one had seen him use it yet.

"Right," Arthur conceded sarcastically. A second passed before he let out a sigh that he only trusted Merlin to hear.

"You're doing a great job, Arthur," Merlin told him earnestly.

"It's only been two days, Merlin. Already there's something."

"So? There's always something, and you're already dealing with it fine. Things are going well anyway. If I didn't know better, I'd say that some great king in the making is impersonating you. But you're still a prat, so it can't be."

Arthur shifted in his chair and avoided looking at Merlin's grinning face, feeling rather embarrassed. It was always strange when Merlin complimented him- for the servant never handed out praise lightly. Most especially to him.

"Hmm, I think it is you who is getting into the habit of surprising people. By the way, have you sorted out all of Lord Harris' fraud?"

"Almost, and it's not just the armourer he's relieving funds from," Merlin sighed, "I had to stop looking to go help with the house in the lowe... I mean-"

"I thought I told you go to sleep," Arthur said sharply.

"I was going to," Merlin said with a touch of petulance. "But I didn't feel like it."

"You sound like a child," Arthur snapped, and then carried on in a calmer but clipped tone. "Merlin, you look tired-"

"So do you."

"-and you can't keep avoiding sleep however much you want to. Now be honest, have you had any more nightmares?"

"No!" Merlin's voice uncharacteristically rose but Arthur was unsurprised, knowing that there was no way quicker to get the young man's back up than to ask anything related to three months ago. "I haven't had one since we took back Camelot. Thank you for asking," he finished waspishly. Merlin crossed his arms and looked moodily out the window, wanting to leave but too proud to do so.

Awkward silence filled the throne room and Arthur shifted guiltily which in turn earned a guilty sigh from Merlin. "I'll make sure to sleep tonight, alright?"

"Good, I can't keep on mothering you, you know," the prince said and grinned slightly, quite glad to get back onto familiar territory.

"You? Mother me?" Merlin asked incredulously, "Who exactly do you think picks out your clothes? Or gets you food? Or cleans up aft-"

"Shut up, Merlin," Arthur said airily.

Merlin shut his mouth and looked out the window trying to hide a smile.

"Well, what are you waiting for?" Arthur asked while getting up and stretching. "I want all that proof against Harris so we can get that nonsense over with. And tomorrow morning, you're coming to the council meeting." Identical grimaces passed over the prince's and servant's faces. "Oh, and think of more virtues of the new knights, you're good at that."

Merlin gave a single nod and strode slowly for the door, turning his head back to speak to the following prince. "How many more do those stuffed up pots need? They all helped save Camelot. Honestly."

"I know," Arthur grumbled, "But it doesn't help that Gwaine is frequenting the tavern so often."

"Ah!" Merlin grinned and leaned against the door with his hand hovering over the handle. "He's good with the people."

Arthur could not keep back a snort. "That will have to do."

Merlin flashed him a grin before bowing extravagantly and opening the door for the prince. Arthur walked through and did not spare a backward glance. Merlin trailed along beside him until they got to the courtyard, and Merlin left toward the physician's chambers while Arthur turned toward his chambers after giving the dragonlord a push. "Don't forget to bring me lunch!" He called to the amusement of those in the courtyard. Merlin immaturely pulled a face at Arthur's back before grinning to himself and heading on his way.

It was another long day of tending to Arthur, going through Arthur's reports, delegating between Arthur and his knights, organizing some confused servants to go cut some firewood for the winter, and helping in any way he could, before he finally settled down for the night. So an hour after midnight when he put his head on his pillow, the sleep deprivation caught up with him and he started snoring quietly. It was the first time in a long time he did not dread going to sleep.

~/0\~

Morning dawned quietly, the sun rising with chilly air- the smell of coming winter carried on the fingers of the wind. Crows cawed at the early risers bustling through the streets of Camelot, and many of them noticed the smell of smoke creeping through the city. All of a sudden the ear-splitting sound of the warning bells shattered the silent morning, startling many out of their slumber. One of these was a certain warlock who gasped loudly and sat bolt upright in bed.

He blinked slowly at the pale sunlight peeking through his window, normally used to waking up to imposing darkness before snapping to attention at the clanging bells. Merlin vaulted off his bed and wrenched open the shudders, inhaling a sharp breath as cool air slapped him in the face. His cobalt eyes searched through the dusty vermilion sky and found the source of the smoky smell dying the air. "No!" Merlin cried out when he worked out that the billowing grey smoke was coming from one of the wheat fields- slinking above the trees and walls of the city. He used magic to send his boots soaring to him and he pulled them on while scanning the streets below and chose to disregard the distant people pointing toward the smoke.

Merlin gazed at it and hissed, "Tídrénas!" The golden glow barely vanished from his eyes before he turned and sprinted out the door and bounded down the stairs. One passing glance told him that Gaius was not in the room. The warlock tore through the halls and had to avoid the running servants, guards, and knights- some of them carrying pails of water. When Merlin got outside he nearly stumbled at the rain whipping him in the face and wished he had thought to grab his jacket to cover his thin night shirt. He ran forward anyway and errantly thought that he put too much power into the spell when the already heavy rain intensified as he ran faster.

Merlin's footsteps echoed loudly on the cobblestones, and he nearly went flying when he turned a corner and ran headlong into someone and almost toppled over if not for steadying hands. Merlin immediately recoiled and shifted into a defensive stance. His wary eyes looked up at Aldwin's, and the knight raised his hands harmlessly. His dark eyes were troubled and glittered guiltily.

"What's going on?" Merlin asked briskly, and swept a hand through his dripping, dishevelled hair.

Aldwin blinked but humoured Merlin. "Fire was set to one of the wheat fields," he spoke loudly to be heard over the rain. "It's most assuredly an arsonist."

Merlin's eyebrows tugged down. "Is the fire out then?"

Aldwin took a cautionary glance around and nodded to a guard who was walking slowly down the street, carrying an overflowing bucket of water. He led Merlin closer to the walls of buildings and both sighed in relief when the rain overhead was blocked by the edge of a wooden roof. "Thanks to this rain," he said lowly.

"Yeah, lucky really," Merlin cleared his throat.

"Too lucky," Aldwin said crossly. "Merlin you have to be careful. Storms don't just come out of nowhere two days in a row when the sky is clear." The knight's lips pulled down and his eyes were upset. Merlin winced at the fact that he could actually tell what Aldwin was feeling, for usually he kept everything to himself. The moment he felt ashamed and averted his eyes feeling entirely too much like a small child, the rain slowed to a light downpour. But then his eyes found the trailing smoke, and he looked up irritably- the rain once again surging stronger.

"Well what would you have me do? Nothing?" Merlin asked and crossed his arms over his chest.

Aldwin sighed and laid a hand on his thin shoulder. "I only ask you be more careful. I do not want to see something happen to you."

"Arthur wouldn't execute me," Merlin mumbled.

"It may not be down to Arthur," Aldwin spoke quietly, "the laws stand as they are."

Merlin sighed and scuffed his boots against the ground. Feeling the uncomfortable sensation of water seeping through the bottom of his boots. "But Merlin, thank you. You saved a harvest- many would have starved this winter if not for you." He paused to smirk. "You saved us all a thousand times over."

A grin lit up Merlin's face. "I don't think it was quite that many times."

"How do you do that?" Aldwin asked huffily. He was staring at the grey sky, flicking his soaking bark coloured hair out of his eyes. The rain slowed to soft droplets and Merlin blinked at the sky surprised.

"No idea." Merlin made a disconcerted noise.

Aldwin laughed and cuffed Merlin on the shoulder. "Just be careful, would you?"

"I'm always careful," Merlin smiled.

"Not lately, you're not," Aldwin told him and set a quick pace to the wheat field.

"It's only been twice now I've ignored the little you in my head," Merlin laughed.

"Ha ha," Aldwin said dully. He stopped and turned to Merlin. "Go home and get changed, you will catch your death dressed like that. Leave us to take care of this arsonist. Besides, I'm sure you have things to do."

Merlin looked down at his soaking shirt clinging to his lean frame and could not hold back a shiver. "Yes, my lord!" He grinned up at Aldwin before spinning on one heel and walking back. His arms were crossed over his chest the whole way there, and he was very glad to see that servants had lit some of the torches to ward off the morning chill. Gaius was still not in when Merlin got back and he felt a pang of sympathy for the physician, who had been busy with tending to the injured knights from Morgana's occupation.

A thunderous snore ripping through the chambers had Merlin jumping a mile and letting out an involuntary shout. "Whassit?" A gravelly rumble came from the patient's cot and Merlin's wide eyes met the bleary ones of Eadric. The muscular knight yawned before blinking slowly at the servant. The next second he was on his short legs, and using his rather large lungs. "Where is that blasted physician?" He roared, and glared at Merlin who still looked quite like a startled deer.

"Gaius?" Merlin asked dumbly.

"No," Eadric snapped, "you! Since I'm obviously bloody blind, deaf, and dumb! Yes Gaius, you buffoon!"

Merlin tilted his head at Eadric, not intimidated in the slightest by the red faced knight. "Did he drug you again?" Merlin asked curiously.

Eadric started mumbling curses under his breath and cast a predatory glance around the room. "Should have bloody expected it. As soon as the warning bells sounded he hobbles up to me, 'Oh here, Eadric, you bloody twit, come with me to get a nice little potion for your arm.'" He glared at the broken limb, bound in tightly wound bandages and cradled in a sling, oblivious to Merlin who was fighting a smile. Eadric continued in a furious voice. "It's really a bloody sleeping potion because I'm a crusty old man, so I can do whatever the bloody hell I want, even though you can snap me clean in half!"

"I'm sure he said exactly that," Merlin struggled to talk evenly, but bubbles of laughter betrayed him.

"This isn't funny," Eadric frowned.

Merlin sighed with the smile still on his face. "He's the physician. And he knows that you are just going to hurt your arm further because you can't keep still."

"That makes no sense at all," Eadric said fully serious.

"Well if you didn't try singlehandedly going through six immortal soldiers, maybe you wouldn't have to worry about it. You're lucky you got away with only a broken arm. I can't believe you did that, by the way."

"Oh, not you too. Aldwin reminds me every bloody second. And it was five... Merlin," he grinned, "you should have seen it!"

Merlin raised a dark eyebrow. "Well you've told me enough t-"

Both men looked at the door as it slammed open. Merlin's warning to Eadric completely flew though one of his ears and out the other as the knight stepped menacingly forward. But both of them relaxed when Aldwin's younger brother strode in. He took one look at Merlin and sighed in relief, which cut off Eadric's planned obnoxious greeting.

"Sir Hadwyn?" Eadric asked instead. The new knight stood straighter at the title. He was the first knight to be knighted by Arthur since he became prince regent, and pride trailed behind him like a bright cape.

"We found one of the men responsible for setting fire to the wheat field," he replied.

"Already?" Merlin asked.

"One of the men?" Eadric asked at the same time.

The new knight nodded at both of them. "Yes. His name is Matthew, I believe. He was Redding's servant, the previous lord of Whitebridge."

Merlin immediately stiffened and his stomach fluttered uncomfortably while Eadric let out a growl. "And you think the other is Redding?" Merlin asked in a soft voice.

"Well he hasn't said so, but from what I remember the man did everything for him," Hadwyn said gravely. "That is why the prince sent me here. He thinks that Redding may be out for revenge."

"I can take care of myself you know," Merlin griped.

"Because you did oh so well the last time he was here," Eadric said sardonically. Hadwyn threw in a nod.

Merlin turned an unhappy frown to the slightly older man. "So I assume I'm confined here then?"

"Yes," Hadwyn answered shortly. Merlin thought that he didn't say more simply to annoy him. It was typical Gerrick inspired behaviour.

"And that there are more guards outside the door?"

"Yes"

"And you will be watching over me like I'm a child?"

"Yes"

"Great," Merlin sighed.

~/0\~

Tídrénas- Timely rain

Well? How did everyone like the first chapter? I'm dying to find out! I'll try to get the next update out soon, but this week is going to be extremely busy.

Oh, and not technically a spoiler for S4 but a lack of something I'm sad about. There's no new insult! Maybe there will be one next week...there's a good possibility. *crosses fingers*

Thanks so much for reading, and please take time to review :D Seriously, I haven't published anything in this universe in ages, I want to see what you guys think!