Chapter Text
On a sunny day perfect for practicing for the upcoming tournament, the knights stand on guard at the training field just outside the castle, shooting each other wary looks in the presence of the... person... called Merlin. They do their best to give full attention to their prince's words, but there is a distracting undercurrent of curiosity as they all steal glaces at the fugitive in broad daylight not but a few paces from Prince Arthur himself.
The knights have not dared conjuncture amongst themselves, but by god do they want to.
A guardian angel and an omen of a holy war to come under Arthur's rule.
“Arthur please no.”
A Fairy who owes Prince Arthur a debt
“So Merlin says during the tournament, it's likely Sir Valiant will try to cheat with an enchanted shield so,”
or maybe who wants to keep their Prince as a pet.
“A different shield, Arthur! A venomous snake shield.”
A childhood playmate of the Prince who went on a journey years ago for power,
“So today we are going to train against a magical shield in preparation...”
and if you see him unclothed,
you will know what he gave up in exchange
“Hitting me will not prepare you for snake venom! If the timeline is the same as it was -”
A sorcerer of the Olde Religion like any other whose unknown motives make him all the more dangerous
"Suit yourself." Arthur shrugs to say he's done talking and ready to get hitting. "Body!" He takes a swing, and rather than counter Merlin ducks.
"I'm not a knight," he whines, as if that had ever stopped Arthur.
"Head!" he swings again, and Merlin positively squeaks as he manifests his shield. "Shield! Head, body, block, shield, block!"
"Ow! Ow. Ow. Ow. Ow! Ow, Arthur!"
a wimp!!
we were afraid of this guy? it's all part of the act
yeah that's gotta be it
I don't know guys don't let your guard down yet
"Come on, Merlin, look alive! How are you going to "protect" me cowering like a little girl?"
"This isn't fun for me, you sadist!"
He's a total wimp!!