Winter Birthday; Merlin
Title: Winter Birthday
Authors: mydoctortennant
Pairings/Characters: Arthur/Gwen, Merlin, Elyan
Warnings: Naada
Disclaimer: Not real. Despite birthday wishes and night time prayers to Santa (all Hail Amy Pond!) Merlin still isn't mine!
Rating: PG13
Summary: Arthur wants to treat Gwen for her birthday. It's never going to end well
Author Notes: Set AU after 3x10. For ella_rose88
My Merlin Prompt Table
In the midst of winter, as snow was falling over the city blanketing it in white, the servants of Camelot castle prepared the halls for the holiday celebrations. They hung holly and mistletoe in wreaths about doors and windows. They were all in good spirits; none minding the extra work in their good cheer. They crossed the courtyard in pairs, not wanting to slip on the snow-covered ground.
Two hooded figures slowly made their way under the stone archway that led into the courtyard of the castle, both careful not to slip on the ice. The shorter of the two, a woman, slipped, losing her balance. The male, her brother, caught her arm, stopping her from falling to the ground.
“Careful there Gwen,” he said with a hint of laughter in his voice. He made sure she was righted on her feet before he started to walk again. He slipped her hand around his elbow and guided her to the cloisters corridor.
“Thank you, Elyan,” she replied letting out a shaky laugh.
“Merlin said he’d bring you back tonight. I’ve got to work late in the forge,” he spoke softly. He had his sleeves pulled down over his hands, protecting them from the cold.
“I don’t need a babysitter, Elyan.”
“No, but you did need a crutch,” he poked fun, all in good spirits Gwen knew. She loved her brother; she’d do anything for him as he would for her. Sitting her down to warn her about the way men’s minds worked had been the last straw before she’d draw the line at where his brotherly duties lied.
Gwen laughed, “I’ll see you tonight.”
“Bye Gwen. Don’t work to hard.”
“I won’t.”
“And happy birthday,” he gave her a quick hug and departed, careful of where he put his feet.
“You never told me it was your birthday,” Gwen turned, careful not to slip on stone. Merlin stood in the doorway behind her with a smile on his face.
“It’s not a big deal. Elyan just likes to celebrate.”
“You’re only twenty-four once.”
“Is this so I’ll make a big deal about your birthday?”
“Not at all. I just think the Future Queen-“
“Merlin-“
“-deserves to celebrate her birthday.”
“I have work to do. If you like, you can stay for dinner tonight after you’ve acted as my escort home.”
“I think I can accept that.”
“I shall meet you later, Merlin.”
“Have a good day.”
“You too.”
Luckily for Merlin in the current climate Arthur had taken a more lax approach to giving his orders. Training went ahead as usual and his armour still had to be spotless but he wouldn’t list quite so many chores at one time. It gave Merlin more time to help Gaius. The lad hated the thought of his guardian slipping on the ice on his rounds so he’d offered to deliver to the further distanced patients. Arthur gave him time to do it. He knew what the old man meant to his servant and he couldn’t be having their physician injured on the job when he could prevent it.
When Merlin opened the Prince’s door unannounced he was surprised to find the Prince up and already dressed, standing in his window looking out over the snow-covered courtyard; “How is she?” he asked after briefly looking over his shoulder making sure it was actually his bumbling manservant.
“She’s very well,” he replied with a knowing smile, “It’s her birthday.”
“Really? She never said.”
“She never told me either,” Merlin said with a shrug as he started to straighten the bedclothes.
Arthur looked back out of the window. He often wished that he had the view of the towns that Merlin got from his window, it seemed more appropriate for him to be able to watch over his people; but there were no bedchambers his father deemed appropriate for a future King. At least this way he could see over who was in and out of the castle, “We should do something.”
“Do you think that’s wise?” Merlin asked as he threw down a pillow and adjusted it, “What if you get seen?”
“Obviously I won’t.”
“But you might. I’m not risking Gwen’s-“
“Merlin; I’ll be careful.”
“Snow leaves footprints; Arthur.”
“Then you’d best be prepared to do a lot of walking today.”
X
One day, Merlin thought to himself, I’ll learn to keep my mouth shut.
He trudged through the snow, past the tavern and into Gwen’s house for the third time that day wearing Arthur’s frankly over-sized blue cloak. This was a terrible plan.
A truly terrible plan.
A truly terrible plan made worse when Elyan was stood in the doorway of his sister’s house when Merlin turned to leave for the fourth time.
“Merlin? What are you doing?” he asked with his arms crossed across his chest and a defensive stance, the snow attached to his clothes taken away from the threat a little. He’d watched his sister’s friend go past his forge five times in the last hour. He didn’t think anything of it until he watched out of the window to see where he was going. He’d thrown down his cloth, leaving his current project on the side and left to find out what was going on.
“Ah, well, you see-“
“She hates surprises, you know that, right?”
“Try telling Arthur that,” Merlin said without thinking.
“Arthur?”
Merlin winced, closing his eyes, it hadn’t occurred to him that Elyan might still believe that his sister and the Prince were actually under a spell, “Yeah-“
“It’s okay, she’s a terrible liar,” Merlin visibly relaxed. Gwen never had been great at lying. She’d tried lying to Merlin once and it hadn’t gone well. She was a more ‘tell them as it is’ individual who would tell anybody the truth, “Is it really a good idea?” He asked. He didn’t want his sister being banished or imprisoned or near killed again.
“That’s why I’ve been trudging up and down all day. Bringing the things he wants me to, in his cloak so when he comes by later it won’t look completely wrong. Then I’ll bring Gwen back and ‘surprise!’”
“What is he doing exactly?”
“Attempting to cook.”
“Is that a good idea?”
“No, but he’s adamant. Who am I to stop him?”
“Sane?” they both laughed.
“Trust me, I tried. He was having none of it.”
“I can keep an eye on him if you want?”
“I thought you had work to do?”
“I’m only working on something for Gwen. I’m nearly done with it.”
“If you’re sure?” Merlin didn’t know how kindly Arthur would take it if he knew that Elyan was watching him, but he would feel safer knowing that he was. Arthur didn’t have to find out.
“I’d appreciate my sister making it through her birthday without being poisoned by the Crowned Prince of Camelot.”
X
“Try not to burn her house down,” Merlin said as Arthur pulled the hood over his head and left Gaius’ quarters. The whole plan was working out. So far so good.
The snow had started to fall more heavily as the afternoon had worn on. Merlin’s footsteps had been covered with a fresh bout of snow but still semi-visible beneath the new layer. Arthur was careful to keep his hood lower over his face. Giving himself away was not a good idea.
He slipped into Gwen’s house. Merlin had lain out what he had sent him down with throughout the day. He had gone over this a hundred times with Merlin. He knew what he was doing. He was certain of it.
X
When Elyan saw the flash of blue go past his window again he knew this time it wasn’t Merlin. The walk was all wrong, his shoulders too broad. He approached the window and looked out, watching the blue cloak disappear into his sister’s house. He shouldn’t have felt as threatened as he did. This was the Prince of Camelot moving on his protective territory. He may not have always been there for Gwen, but now he was back he wasn’t going to let anything happen to her.
Or her home…
He kept a close eye on the place. Every now and again sticking close to the window to check he wasn’t giving himself away or getting Gwen in trouble.
He hadn’t expected, an hour later, for there to be black smoke coming out of the window.
Elyan scowled, “What the?”
The young blacksmith yanked open the forge door and ran across to his sister’s home. He burst in; his eyes starting to sting with the smoke that was gathering both inside and leaking out of her home; “What did you do?”
Arthur snapped around, he was trying to stop the smoke; “Elyan! Something’s caught-“
The commoner grabbed the bucket from beside the door and ran out of his sister’s house towards the well. He pumped the water quickly filling the bucket and sprinted back to the smoking house.
X
The young warlock looked up from his books as a soft knock sounded on the wood of Gaius’ chamber door. He quickly snapped it shut when he saw Gwen standing with her purple cloak in her hands looking at him expectantly; “I’m sorry to interrupt.”
“No, not at all. I was just reading up on something. Are you ready to go home?” she nodded with a wide smile on her face. It was already dark on the fine winter evening. Merlin pulled down his sleeves and readied himself for his excursion.
“Do you not have a winter cloak, Merlin?”
“I’ll be fine, I don’t feel the cold,” he said swiftly. In truth, he had rarely found himself outside in the snow. He wrapped himself up warmer and wore an extra shirt beneath his day shirt should he need it but he never usually wore anything bigger.
“If you’re sure,” she said as she pulled her cloak on around her shoulders and tied it securely.
“Here,” Merlin handed her a small package wrapped in a piece of red cloth, “It’s nothing much but I thought it was pretty. Happy birthday.”
“You didn’t have to,” she said taking the small parcel from him.
“No, but I wanted to.”
“Thank you,” she opened the wrappings, revealing a small metal flower that had been made out metal wiring, “This is beautiful, thank you!”
“I thought you could wear it in your hair or something. I saw it when I was in the market earlier. You don’t have to wear it. Just a thought.”
“I shall treasure it,” she said holding it to her chest, “Thank you.”
“We should get going,” Merlin smiled and offered her his arm. She chuckled and looped her hand around his elbow, “Have you seen Arthur today?”
“I haven’t no. As far as I know he was in council meetings with his father all afternoon.”
“Well, I’m sure he’ll send his regards.”
“Merlin,” she chastised tapping him on the arm, “We were enchanted, remember,” she said with an amused smile on her face.
“Of course you were,” they both laughed and started to carefully make their way across the courtyard and towards the castle exit.
As they made their way through to the lower town the undeniable scent of burnt embers filled their senses, “Somebody is warm, somewhere,” Gwen commented stepping slowly through the snow.
“I wish I was with them.”
“I said you should have worn a cloak.”
“Yes, Mother!”
“Is that… Elyan?” Gwen asked squinting as a man in his usual attire, “What is he doing? I thought he was working?” They both watched as he hefted a bucket from the well to her house and quickly emptied it. Then a familiar blue cloak flashed past doing the same thing, “That’s my house.”
“Gwen?” Merlin watched on wide-eyed, “What did he do?”
“He?”
“Arthur.”
“Arthur?” she exclaimed and tugged away from Merlin and ran towards her house.
“What’s going on? What happened?” she looked at her home, the outside walls blackened with smoke the inside uninhabitable, “What did you do?”
“It was an accident!” Arthur help up his hands defensively as Elyan leant against his own knees behind him, “We’ve put it out. It’s not so bad.”
Gwen moved to go inside but found herself being held back by two pairs of strong arms, “Not a good idea, Gwen,” she heard her brother’s soft tones in her ear, “It might not be safe.”
“This is my house!”
“I’m sorry,” in all the commotion Arthur’s hood had fallen and he had made no attempt to pull it back up. People were looking out of their windows now they all saw him. Gwen pulled harshly away from him.
“This is why I didn’t mention it.”
“So I wouldn’t burn your house down?”
“So you wouldn’t do something to give yourself away,” she said bluntly. She turned back to look at her house, some of the wood still smoking.
“Come on, Gwen. There’s nothing more we can do tonight, we should get inside,” Elyan said placing a gentle hand on her exposed wrist, “You can stay with me tonight.”
Continued in When You Need Me
Authors: mydoctortennant
Pairings/Characters: Arthur/Gwen, Merlin, Elyan
Warnings: Naada
Disclaimer: Not real. Despite birthday wishes and night time prayers to Santa (all Hail Amy Pond!) Merlin still isn't mine!
Rating: PG13
Summary: Arthur wants to treat Gwen for her birthday. It's never going to end well
Author Notes: Set AU after 3x10. For ella_rose88
My Merlin Prompt Table
In the midst of winter, as snow was falling over the city blanketing it in white, the servants of Camelot castle prepared the halls for the holiday celebrations. They hung holly and mistletoe in wreaths about doors and windows. They were all in good spirits; none minding the extra work in their good cheer. They crossed the courtyard in pairs, not wanting to slip on the snow-covered ground.
Two hooded figures slowly made their way under the stone archway that led into the courtyard of the castle, both careful not to slip on the ice. The shorter of the two, a woman, slipped, losing her balance. The male, her brother, caught her arm, stopping her from falling to the ground.
“Careful there Gwen,” he said with a hint of laughter in his voice. He made sure she was righted on her feet before he started to walk again. He slipped her hand around his elbow and guided her to the cloisters corridor.
“Thank you, Elyan,” she replied letting out a shaky laugh.
“Merlin said he’d bring you back tonight. I’ve got to work late in the forge,” he spoke softly. He had his sleeves pulled down over his hands, protecting them from the cold.
“I don’t need a babysitter, Elyan.”
“No, but you did need a crutch,” he poked fun, all in good spirits Gwen knew. She loved her brother; she’d do anything for him as he would for her. Sitting her down to warn her about the way men’s minds worked had been the last straw before she’d draw the line at where his brotherly duties lied.
Gwen laughed, “I’ll see you tonight.”
“Bye Gwen. Don’t work to hard.”
“I won’t.”
“And happy birthday,” he gave her a quick hug and departed, careful of where he put his feet.
“You never told me it was your birthday,” Gwen turned, careful not to slip on stone. Merlin stood in the doorway behind her with a smile on his face.
“It’s not a big deal. Elyan just likes to celebrate.”
“You’re only twenty-four once.”
“Is this so I’ll make a big deal about your birthday?”
“Not at all. I just think the Future Queen-“
“Merlin-“
“-deserves to celebrate her birthday.”
“I have work to do. If you like, you can stay for dinner tonight after you’ve acted as my escort home.”
“I think I can accept that.”
“I shall meet you later, Merlin.”
“Have a good day.”
“You too.”
Luckily for Merlin in the current climate Arthur had taken a more lax approach to giving his orders. Training went ahead as usual and his armour still had to be spotless but he wouldn’t list quite so many chores at one time. It gave Merlin more time to help Gaius. The lad hated the thought of his guardian slipping on the ice on his rounds so he’d offered to deliver to the further distanced patients. Arthur gave him time to do it. He knew what the old man meant to his servant and he couldn’t be having their physician injured on the job when he could prevent it.
When Merlin opened the Prince’s door unannounced he was surprised to find the Prince up and already dressed, standing in his window looking out over the snow-covered courtyard; “How is she?” he asked after briefly looking over his shoulder making sure it was actually his bumbling manservant.
“She’s very well,” he replied with a knowing smile, “It’s her birthday.”
“Really? She never said.”
“She never told me either,” Merlin said with a shrug as he started to straighten the bedclothes.
Arthur looked back out of the window. He often wished that he had the view of the towns that Merlin got from his window, it seemed more appropriate for him to be able to watch over his people; but there were no bedchambers his father deemed appropriate for a future King. At least this way he could see over who was in and out of the castle, “We should do something.”
“Do you think that’s wise?” Merlin asked as he threw down a pillow and adjusted it, “What if you get seen?”
“Obviously I won’t.”
“But you might. I’m not risking Gwen’s-“
“Merlin; I’ll be careful.”
“Snow leaves footprints; Arthur.”
“Then you’d best be prepared to do a lot of walking today.”
X
One day, Merlin thought to himself, I’ll learn to keep my mouth shut.
He trudged through the snow, past the tavern and into Gwen’s house for the third time that day wearing Arthur’s frankly over-sized blue cloak. This was a terrible plan.
A truly terrible plan.
A truly terrible plan made worse when Elyan was stood in the doorway of his sister’s house when Merlin turned to leave for the fourth time.
“Merlin? What are you doing?” he asked with his arms crossed across his chest and a defensive stance, the snow attached to his clothes taken away from the threat a little. He’d watched his sister’s friend go past his forge five times in the last hour. He didn’t think anything of it until he watched out of the window to see where he was going. He’d thrown down his cloth, leaving his current project on the side and left to find out what was going on.
“Ah, well, you see-“
“She hates surprises, you know that, right?”
“Try telling Arthur that,” Merlin said without thinking.
“Arthur?”
Merlin winced, closing his eyes, it hadn’t occurred to him that Elyan might still believe that his sister and the Prince were actually under a spell, “Yeah-“
“It’s okay, she’s a terrible liar,” Merlin visibly relaxed. Gwen never had been great at lying. She’d tried lying to Merlin once and it hadn’t gone well. She was a more ‘tell them as it is’ individual who would tell anybody the truth, “Is it really a good idea?” He asked. He didn’t want his sister being banished or imprisoned or near killed again.
“That’s why I’ve been trudging up and down all day. Bringing the things he wants me to, in his cloak so when he comes by later it won’t look completely wrong. Then I’ll bring Gwen back and ‘surprise!’”
“What is he doing exactly?”
“Attempting to cook.”
“Is that a good idea?”
“No, but he’s adamant. Who am I to stop him?”
“Sane?” they both laughed.
“Trust me, I tried. He was having none of it.”
“I can keep an eye on him if you want?”
“I thought you had work to do?”
“I’m only working on something for Gwen. I’m nearly done with it.”
“If you’re sure?” Merlin didn’t know how kindly Arthur would take it if he knew that Elyan was watching him, but he would feel safer knowing that he was. Arthur didn’t have to find out.
“I’d appreciate my sister making it through her birthday without being poisoned by the Crowned Prince of Camelot.”
X
“Try not to burn her house down,” Merlin said as Arthur pulled the hood over his head and left Gaius’ quarters. The whole plan was working out. So far so good.
The snow had started to fall more heavily as the afternoon had worn on. Merlin’s footsteps had been covered with a fresh bout of snow but still semi-visible beneath the new layer. Arthur was careful to keep his hood lower over his face. Giving himself away was not a good idea.
He slipped into Gwen’s house. Merlin had lain out what he had sent him down with throughout the day. He had gone over this a hundred times with Merlin. He knew what he was doing. He was certain of it.
X
When Elyan saw the flash of blue go past his window again he knew this time it wasn’t Merlin. The walk was all wrong, his shoulders too broad. He approached the window and looked out, watching the blue cloak disappear into his sister’s house. He shouldn’t have felt as threatened as he did. This was the Prince of Camelot moving on his protective territory. He may not have always been there for Gwen, but now he was back he wasn’t going to let anything happen to her.
Or her home…
He kept a close eye on the place. Every now and again sticking close to the window to check he wasn’t giving himself away or getting Gwen in trouble.
He hadn’t expected, an hour later, for there to be black smoke coming out of the window.
Elyan scowled, “What the?”
The young blacksmith yanked open the forge door and ran across to his sister’s home. He burst in; his eyes starting to sting with the smoke that was gathering both inside and leaking out of her home; “What did you do?”
Arthur snapped around, he was trying to stop the smoke; “Elyan! Something’s caught-“
The commoner grabbed the bucket from beside the door and ran out of his sister’s house towards the well. He pumped the water quickly filling the bucket and sprinted back to the smoking house.
X
The young warlock looked up from his books as a soft knock sounded on the wood of Gaius’ chamber door. He quickly snapped it shut when he saw Gwen standing with her purple cloak in her hands looking at him expectantly; “I’m sorry to interrupt.”
“No, not at all. I was just reading up on something. Are you ready to go home?” she nodded with a wide smile on her face. It was already dark on the fine winter evening. Merlin pulled down his sleeves and readied himself for his excursion.
“Do you not have a winter cloak, Merlin?”
“I’ll be fine, I don’t feel the cold,” he said swiftly. In truth, he had rarely found himself outside in the snow. He wrapped himself up warmer and wore an extra shirt beneath his day shirt should he need it but he never usually wore anything bigger.
“If you’re sure,” she said as she pulled her cloak on around her shoulders and tied it securely.
“Here,” Merlin handed her a small package wrapped in a piece of red cloth, “It’s nothing much but I thought it was pretty. Happy birthday.”
“You didn’t have to,” she said taking the small parcel from him.
“No, but I wanted to.”
“Thank you,” she opened the wrappings, revealing a small metal flower that had been made out metal wiring, “This is beautiful, thank you!”
“I thought you could wear it in your hair or something. I saw it when I was in the market earlier. You don’t have to wear it. Just a thought.”
“I shall treasure it,” she said holding it to her chest, “Thank you.”
“We should get going,” Merlin smiled and offered her his arm. She chuckled and looped her hand around his elbow, “Have you seen Arthur today?”
“I haven’t no. As far as I know he was in council meetings with his father all afternoon.”
“Well, I’m sure he’ll send his regards.”
“Merlin,” she chastised tapping him on the arm, “We were enchanted, remember,” she said with an amused smile on her face.
“Of course you were,” they both laughed and started to carefully make their way across the courtyard and towards the castle exit.
As they made their way through to the lower town the undeniable scent of burnt embers filled their senses, “Somebody is warm, somewhere,” Gwen commented stepping slowly through the snow.
“I wish I was with them.”
“I said you should have worn a cloak.”
“Yes, Mother!”
“Is that… Elyan?” Gwen asked squinting as a man in his usual attire, “What is he doing? I thought he was working?” They both watched as he hefted a bucket from the well to her house and quickly emptied it. Then a familiar blue cloak flashed past doing the same thing, “That’s my house.”
“Gwen?” Merlin watched on wide-eyed, “What did he do?”
“He?”
“Arthur.”
“Arthur?” she exclaimed and tugged away from Merlin and ran towards her house.
“What’s going on? What happened?” she looked at her home, the outside walls blackened with smoke the inside uninhabitable, “What did you do?”
“It was an accident!” Arthur help up his hands defensively as Elyan leant against his own knees behind him, “We’ve put it out. It’s not so bad.”
Gwen moved to go inside but found herself being held back by two pairs of strong arms, “Not a good idea, Gwen,” she heard her brother’s soft tones in her ear, “It might not be safe.”
“This is my house!”
“I’m sorry,” in all the commotion Arthur’s hood had fallen and he had made no attempt to pull it back up. People were looking out of their windows now they all saw him. Gwen pulled harshly away from him.
“This is why I didn’t mention it.”
“So I wouldn’t burn your house down?”
“So you wouldn’t do something to give yourself away,” she said bluntly. She turned back to look at her house, some of the wood still smoking.
“Come on, Gwen. There’s nothing more we can do tonight, we should get inside,” Elyan said placing a gentle hand on her exposed wrist, “You can stay with me tonight.”
Continued in When You Need Me