Soldier, Poet, Ruler

Merlin, had not had a good first day so far, was grumbling away to himself. A damp smell hung in the air, twisting itself into his nose as he laid on his moulded straw bed, he was lucky it was only just after noon for the stone walls and floor offered no warmth to his body. The bars blocked his means of leaving locked nice and tight. His long limbs ached from running draughts back and forth through the castle, and he had managed to get lost multiple times, thank The Triple Goddess he had found Gwen again.
He mused to himself of how he had managed to get himself stuck in this situation. Of course, only he would manage to get into a fight with the King’s son! Merlin couldn’t help himself; the boy had been picking on a young boy, maybe fourteen summers, Merlin remembered being that age.
Ah, the days of being thrown in lakes for something he had no control over. Those were the days. It’s like he had a knack for finding trouble where trouble shouldn’t be found.
The King’s son, whilst so beautiful, was a prat. A prat whose blonde hair had shone golden, like a halo, in the sun’s bright rays, whose blue eyes had filled with mirth and mischief the moment Merlin had opened his mouth.

“Alright you’ve had your fun, my friend.”
Merlin had said it with much confidence, confidence that was probably misplaced considering he was speaking to what seemed like a whole group of prats.
“I’m sorry, do I know you?”
The blonde one, who was as gorgeous as a moonlit field filled with fireflies, had spoke in a voice that was just as gorgeous as his face.
“I’m Merlin.”
“So, I don’t know you then, yet you called me your friend.”
Merlin had yet to see the amusement coating the blonde’s face, and the shock, how could someone speak to the prince this way, and in public too! Yet he couldn’t help but indulge this bumpkin’s insolence.
“Ah, that was my mistake.”
Merlin had smirked, as if preparing to say something even more disrespectful. The prince couldn’t help but indulge further, if only to see what this adorable pile of limbs was going to say.
“Yes, I believe it was.”
“Yes, I could never have a friend who could be such an ass.”
Arthur was shocked, no one had ever dared address him like this, was it wrong to feel refreshed by this? Still, he pushed on.
“Or I one that could be so stupid. Tell me Merlin, do you know how to walk on your knees?”
Arthur felt satisfaction at the way the boy froze slightly at what he had said, there was something about this boy that the young prince couldn’t put his finger on.
“No.”
Merlin hadn’t meant to freeze, but his thoughts had quickly taken an inappropriate turn at the blonde’s words.
“Shall I help you?”
The blonde had continued taunting, but Merlin was beginning to feel a flush build up his neck and the burning of the top of his ears. He had to get out this situation, and quick.
“I wouldn’t if I was you.”
“What are you going to do?”
Self-control, Merlin do not turn this very outwardly beautiful man into a toad to match his personality.
“You have no idea.”
“Be my guest.”
The blonde had laughed, a beautiful sound to Merlin’s ears. Despite the blonde’s beautiful smile, Merlin had just wanted to leave, he only had so much time to explore before Gaius would have his hide for taking so long.
“Come on. Come on. Come on!”
Merlin couldn’t stand the taunting, when had the blonde moved so close to him? Without a second thought Merlin swung at him, only to be easily caught and suddenly his arm was twisted behind him and the man leaning against his back, uncomfortably close to him.
“I could have you thrown in jail for that.”
Merlin had just scoffed in disbelief before saying,
“Who do you think you are? The King?”
Nothing could’ve prepared Merlin for the response.
“No, I’m his son, Arthur.”
Oh.
Unbeknownst to them both two seers had been looking out their windows and smiled to themselves, knowing what was bound to come.

That was how Merlin had come to be in the dungeons, rotting away like an apple in the sun.
Soon he heard doors opening and voices in the corridor before his cell was being open, and a very annoyed Gaius was stood before him.

“Merlin. You never cease to amaze me. The one thing someone like you should do is keep your head down. What do you do? You behave like an idiot.”

Merlin had not been prepared for Gaius mini rant at him, and cringed away. Guilt hung around him at already annoying his mentor.

“I’m sorry.”

The words hung in the air before Gaius raised his eyebrow and sighed before speaking.

“You’re lucky, my boy, I pulled a few strings to get you released.”

Merlin had felt relief wash over him like a bucket of water in the morning.

“Oh, thank you, thank you! I won’t forget this.”

Gaius had looked at him approvingly before smirking,

“Well… There is a small price to pay.”

With that Gaius had chuckled as the guards came in to move Merlin.

Oh goodness, the stocks. His back ached from being bent over for so long, his mouth drier than a puddle in a drought. His hair was filled with the most random of vegetables, he was sure someone had been chucking rotted aubergine.
In that moment of thought, Merlin had not noticed a familiar girl climbing the slight steps to where he was placed, carrying a waterskin

.
“Merlin.”

She had said it with a laugh as she looked at him. It was a cute look upon her face.

“Gwenhwyfar!”

Before he could say anything more she had pressed the waterskin to his mouth and continued talking.

“Oh please, call me Gwen. Only my mistress calls me my full name! and that’s because she is the Lady Morgana.”

When she finally removed the waterskin, Merlin had smiled before thanking her. Gwen truly was a kind woman, no one could deny that.

“I saw what you did, you were quite brave.”

“Or stupid.”

Gwen had laughed at that but hadn’t disagreed. For some reason, that hadn’t hurt Merlin like it usually would have from anyone else who didn’t know him. It was as if her very presence comforted any hurt you feel.

“You weren’t going to beat him.”

She had said it so matter of factly that merlin had been tempted to agree.

“Oh, I could beat him.”

At that she had quirked an eyebrow her eyes filled with mirth as well as a sort of fondness.

“You think? Because you don’t look like one of these big muscly fellows.”

“Thanks.”

“No, I’m sure you’re stronger than you look. It’s just that Arthur is one of these real rough, tough save the world kind of men. And, well…”

Merlin was beginning to feel a sense of security in her presence, it reminded him of home and how he had spoken with his sister those times. He was beginning to wonder if Gwen had the same secret as him...

“What?”

“You don’t look like that.”

“I’m in disguise.”

With that, Gwen had let out a loud laugh, she truly was adorable, but he couldn’t say this he had know she had found her soulmate. Only people who had found them had the bravery to show off their own mark. Once she had settled, she continued talking, Merlin was really beginning to enjoy the company of this flushed, nervous lady.

“It’s great you stood up to him.”

Merlin smiled; it wasn’t often people complimented your insolence.

“You think so?”

“Arthur’s a bully, everyone thought you were a real hero.”

Merlin couldn’t help but duck his head and flush at her words, it really wasn’t often someone calls your insolence something as good as heroic.

“Really?”

He hadn’t meant to sound so shy; it had just come out. Gwen looked at him with a fondness that only a sister could manage, and smiled softly. Merlin could already tell they were going to have a lovely friendship.

“Mm-hm.”

Just then, children came bounding up to the steps with their rotten weapons stocked and ready to fire. He smiled at Gwen before speaking.

“Excuse me, my fans await me Gwenhwyfar!”

She cackled one last time before leaving, but not without waving an enthusiastic wave towards.

Goodness, Merlin thought, his words truly are a weapon.