The paths leading through the small village are crowded at this time of day. The clouds obscure the sky above, leaving little sun to shine down onto the growing crops. Farmers work the fields regardless. They pick the weeds, and tend to the plants, hoping to finish the days work before the rain begins to fall while the children laugh through the streets. Their joyful voices fill the air as they scurry about the village, dodging behind carts or stacks of wood to hide from their parents to avoid work.

Merlin hums to himself as he strolls through the winding streets. A contented smile on his face as he takes in the fresh, spring air. He twirls out of the way of some passing children as they chase each other down the path, chuckling to himself at their energy. He'd love to have such a carefree life again. 

Ealdor is quiet, as it usually is. The most trouble they ever got into was when Kanen and his gang of raiders attacked the village, demanding the years harvest. Thankfully, Merlin had been there to rid the bandits from the village, sending them dashing back towards the safety of the forest with a quick wave of his hand. Thankfully, the villagers had taken the news rather lightly considering they had just learned a sorcerer resided in their village, then again, said sorcerer had just saved their lives and no one could complain. He admits, he had been afraid of what the people would say. They lived relatively close to Camelot and it wouldn't be odd for the kingdom's beliefs to have rubbed off on the people. Nevertheless, they welcomed him home with open arms, some even treating him with much higher regard than they used to.

Now, Merlin is relatively loved in his village, being known by some as their protector. The children enjoyed seeing his spells, whether it was from watching him conjure butterflies or felling a tree, they loved to tag along and watch. 

Though Merlin had to admit, he still had plenty to learn. Gaius, his mentor, only came around every few months. The old man would always bring with him new magical texts for the boy to study and check on his progress with magic before heading back to Camelot, where the king seemed to keep him busy as Court Physician. Merlin loves Gaius. The physician had grown to become a father figure over the years and Merlin looked up to him as any child would. He always felt himself become giddy with excitement when his mother informed him Gaius would be coming in a few days. He hasn't seen the man for over two months now and he misses him already. He hopes he can come again soon. 

Merlin opens the door to his home, giving his mother a beaming smile as he enters the room.

"How has your day been, Merlin?" his mother asks with a smile as she moves about their tiny kitchen, pulling pots and pans from the cupboards.

"Just the usual," Merlin grins and grabs his spell book from the trunk by his bedroll, "Will needed me to help him catch the chickens that escaped."

Hunith looks over to him, giving a small chuckle. "Again?"

Merlin laughs, "Yes, again. Apparently, they attacked him in his sleep."

Hunith lets out a laugh before turning back to her cooking. "I hope he didn't get hurt. Those chickens can be quite fierce."

"His face was scratched up, but he seemed to be fine otherwise," Merlin says, settling down on the bench by the dining table and cracking open his spell books. He flips to the page he had last been reading.

Hunith turns to look at him, "Oh, before you begin, could you run an errand for me?"

Merlin looks up from his book, shutting it. "Of course, anything."

"It seems we're out of mushrooms. Could you head into the forest and pick some?"

Merlin smiles, tossing the book back into his room. He walks over beside her, grabbing the basket off the shelf above her. "You know you don't have to ask."

Hunith smiles, poking her son's nose. "I'll have a piping hot dinner ready for you when you come home."

Merlin flashes a joyful grin before leaving the house. He glances up at the sky and frowns. He better hurry if he wants to make it back home before the rain starts. 

-----

Merlin bends down, plucking the mushroom out of the dirt and tossing it into his basket. He peers underneath the cloth, counting how many he had. Four, five, six... that should be enough.

He turns, ready to head back to the village when loud shouts echo through the woods. He looks up towards the source of the noise, hearing the mob of men tromping through the forest before he's able to see them. A surge of panic floods through him. Could it be bandits? Or perhaps a passing patrol? Whoever it was, judging by the angry cries, they aren't something Merlin wants to deal with.

The warlock glances around, searching for a place to hide. He spots a narrow crevice a short distance away. It's well hidden in the shadows and just large enough to fit a person or two under. Merlin heads over, gently placing his basket of mushrooms into the hiding spot before crawling under himself. It's rather stuffy, but it will have to do. He'd prefer this over being run through by bandits any day.

The shouts get louder and louder as time passes. Merlin pokes his head out from the crevice slightly, only enough to help him see but not enough to be spotted. He manages to catch a flash of gold. Someone's jumping down from the top of the ravine. 

Merlin sighs in disappointment at the idiot who had chosen to perform such a feat. He's played through these forests enough to know that a fall from there is enough to break a bone at the very least. He would know, he's done it himself after Will urged him to jump quite a few years back.

Sure enough, the blond crashes down onto the dirt, a loud crack piercing the stillness of the ravine. Merlin hears him groan in pain as he rolls over onto his back. He contemplates going out to help the stranger, but the men staring down from the top of the ravine changes his mind quickly enough. They seem to be Cenred's knights. The reason they are chasing the fallen man is unknown to the young warlock but they seem quite determined to capture him. 

The men disappear from the top of the ravine soon after, leaving the warlock alone with the crippled idiot. Again, Merlin considers going out to help, but once more decides against the idea. He didn't know who the man is. He could be a murderer, thief, or a bandit. He didn't know. It's best to play it safe.

He crawls back into his hiding spot, resting his cheek against the dirt to keep his gaze locked on the blond now staggering to his feet. The man braces himself on his weapon, using it as a crutch in a futile attempt to escape. He collapses back on the ground after taking a few steps, not having gotten very far. 

Merlin sighs, no matter how pathetic the blond looked trying to hobble away, the warlock couldn't help but admire the man's courage and determination.

The sound of approaching footsteps sends the man on edge. He whips his head around, trying to find a hiding spot. Merlin is about to wave him in when he approaches on his own accord, most likely having seen the crevice himself.

The man crawls over frantically, clawing at the dirt as he pulls himself forwards and into the crevice along with Merlin. The warlock frowns as the man almost kicks him in the face, clearly having not seen him. Merlin shuffles over in his spot, giving the larger man more room. For once, the warlock's glad for his lean build. If he had been any larger they both wouldn't have fit into the narrow opening.

Just as the man has made it comfortably inside, the knight passes. Merlin's gaze follows the warrior's boots as they walk past. He stops in front of the crevice, body turning about as if scanning the area. Merlin holds his breath, hoping the lone man won't be smart enough to check under the crevice. 

Thankfully, it seems the knight is more of an idiot than the man currently hiding beside him. The knight walks past, leaving them alone once again in the narrow opening.

Merlin hears the blond sigh beside him with relief and that's the moment he decides he should announce his presence. 

"That was a close one. We almost got caught there," Merlin says, looking towards the man beside him.

The blond jumps, smashing his head against the low ceiling and wincing with pain. He whirls around, elbow crushing the basket. His eyes are wide and terrified as he swings his sword towards the voice beside him. 

"Who's there?"

"You're crushing my mushrooms," Merlin says, ignoring the man's question and instead pulls the basket closer towards him.

"Who are you?" The man demands again, shoving the point of his sword closer to Merlin's neck.

Merlin looks down at the basket, unfazed by the sword pointed towards him, and using the sliver of light entering the crevice to check on the condition of the food. He frowns when he finds them squashed into unrecognizable lumps. He holds up the basket towards the man's face, causing him to flinch back slightly before seeing what's inside. "Look what you did to my mushrooms," Merlin says, annoyed. "It took me almost an hour to find them."

The blond only scowls, lowering his weapon. "I don't care about your mushrooms. I'm demanding who you are!"

Merlin crosses his arms over his chest and wiggles out of the crevice. He gets to his feet, basket in one hand. "I don't need to tell a prat like you."

"Prat?" The man says, also crawling out of the crevice, though he remains sitting against the dirt, unable to stand. 

The man has a rather large build, Merlin notes. His body seems to belong to that of a warrior, all brawn and no brain it seems. His hair is mussed and sticking up at odd angles. He seems to have a permanent scowl on his face as well. 

"Mind you I am the King of Camelot and I will have you thrown into the dungeons," the man says sternly. 

Merlin rolls his eyes. Perfect, a royal prat. He sticks his tongue out at the man. "If you had half a brain you would realize you're not in Camelot, and therefore you have no authority over me."

The king grits his teeth in anger, moving to stand only to have his leg cripple under his weight. He scowls, "And as a royal you should still show me the respect I deserve."

"The respect you deserve?" Merlin scoffs, " You crushed my mushrooms and pointed a sword at my neck! I think you deserve no respect from me, clot-pole!"

The king's face turns into a scowl. He uses his sword to help him stand. He glares into the boy's eyes, slightly peeved that he was shorter than the loud mouthed peasant. He points a finger at Merlin's face, "You hold your tongue."

"Or what? You can't even walk. I could take your sword and leave you here on the ground flopping like a fish out of water."

The blond's face reddens. He looks away.

Merlin gives a triumphant smile before grabbing the man's other arm and throwing it over his shoulder. He keeps the man steady by holding him around his waist before moving forward, letting the king lean against him for support. The blond tries to pull away only to be held firm by the leaner man's grip. 

"What are you doing?" The king asks, limping along beside him reluctantly.

Merlin rolls his eyes. "I'm not heartless. It's about to rain and I can't leave a dollop-head like you outside alone. You'd be eaten alive."

The kings silent for a moment. "Thank you," he mutters beside him eventually, voice quiet. 

Merlin looks at him, surprised to hear the words come out of the royal's mouth. He smiles. "It's not a problem."

Perhaps the prat had manners after all.