The bravest of them all

"So, what question next? Merlin, do you have any ideas?" asked Gwaine.

"You won't let me do the dishes in peace, will you? Fine, since this is one you like to brag about, it will keep you busy for a while: among the people we all know, who do you think is the bravest?"

Much to Merlin´s surprise, silence took over the camp.

"Oh for heaven´s sake - I´m giving you a chance to talk about knightly stuff!"

Merlin would understand if he knew what was going through the knights' heads; but he didn´t. He could only listen in shock how they one after another said the same name, every one reluctant to tell why they had chosen that particular person.

When Merlin heard his name come from the first mouth, he almost dropped the dishes. After hearing his name for the third time, he just let them drop and watched the various expressions on the knights´ faces when they said his name.

Lancelot looked at him with a smile while uttering his name clearly. Gwaine looked at him in awe. Elyan rested his chin on his hand and looked curious. Arthur wouldn´t look at him at all. Leon looked a bit - if it was possible - both proud and embarrassed. Percival´s gaze was neutral but still acknowledging.

Behind every expression was a memory of bravery that surpassed their own.

Percival – Darkness

"Merlin you shouldn't go without a torch even if you are not going far." Said Percival when Merlin had stood up to get more firewood and started to just walk towards the darkness of the forest.

"Darkness can´t hurt me sir, Percival." Answered Merlin calmly, stopping to look at the knight.

"How can you be so sure? It´s a world of it´s own."

If Percival had learned something well in his childhood, it was to never approach darkness without light. It could get you lost or hide your doom. Nothing good would come out of wandering in the darkness - you could very well not wander out of it at all.

"Yes, it is; but I have lived in it for so long I know it´s ways - how the things are done in there. I have overcome all the cultural prejudices, so to say. I´m practically part of that world."

And then Merlin melted into the darkness, even though the smile he was wearing was so bright you would think it would light up the whole forest.

Percival could walk, fight, live, do anything during a day without being fully dependent on anything. It seemed Merlin could do it all even if he was going on under the moon. Merlin could - would - walk straight to the battlefields Percival wouldn´t even dare to seek. How Merlin could do that, the knight didn´t know.

Beware! This is my first real multi chapter story! I have already written all chapters for it and will post all of them during a week and a half. There will be own chapters for Gwaine, Arthur, Elyan, Leon, Lancelot and Merlin but not necessarily in this order. Each chapter contains the memory behind their answer about the bravest person.

I don´t own Merlin or any of the characters.

English is not my first language so I hope you will point out any mistakes you find. Reviews would be highly appreciated.

Thank you for your time!