Merlin One-shot collection

I'll Be Fine

Merthur AU - Canon Divergence
Arthur Knows About Merlin's Magic
Pre-Established Relationship

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'I'll be fine.'

Those three words ring out in Arthur's head, repeating itself over and over again. He rides away from the battlefield in disarray.

The army of men follow behind him. Many of the knights are beaten and bloody, a few are even missing limbs. This had been a terrible battle, one with many losses even with an all powerful warlock on their side, yet they still hadn't won. Morgana is simply much too powerful. They were outnumbered greatly to the point that not even Merlin could save them.

An image flashes in Arthur's mind. A somber expression crosses his face. His heart races in his chest. 'Merlin will be fine,' he thinks to himself, 'like he always is. That's right. He'll come back like he always does.'

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~ 6 years ago~

Arthur darts through the trees, pulling his manservant along behind him. Their hands are entwined together as they dart through the forest. Loud hollers and shouts can be heard behind the pair as the group of bandits begin to gain on them.

Arthur's grip tightens on Merlin's hand as he hears the bandits steadily approach. His heart pounds in his chest as they run. His lungs burn with each breath, desperate for a break but he knows that can't happen. Not unless he wants the bandits to catch them.

They whip around a small ridge and press their backs against the bumpy surface. They try and catch their breaths as the men walk by above them.

"Search the area! They can't have gone far!" The leader shouts.

The prince and his manservant remain completely still. Neither move a muscle as the bandits continue their search. Arthur's heart stops when one of the bandits sees them. The man holds up a hand and points. "There! There's the prince!" He bellows loudly, causing all the bandits heads to whip in their direction.

Arthur pulls Merlin's hand once again, attempting to run in the opposite direction when more bandits appear. Arthur glances around. There's no use. They're surrounded.

That's when Merlin steps forward. He has his hand raised. An angry flare in his eyes that causes a few of the bandits to skirt backwards in slight fear. "Arthur I'll create an opening for you, on my cue you run," he says, his voice deep and menacing.

Arthur looks to Merlin in bewilderment. "I'm not leaving you Merlin! If we're going anywhere we're going together!" He says, hand clutching more tightly to Merlin's.

Merlin shakes his hand away. "Arthur you're the Once and Future King and it is my duty to protect you. You will run when I tell you too and you won't look back."

"Merl-"

"Arthur, I'll be fine. I'll see you back in Camelot." With that Merlin's eyes flared gold. The first wave of enemies are blasted back. They fall to the ground a few meters away, most of them unconscious. Merlin then sets his gaze at a weaker link in the circle of enemies that surrounds them. He raises his hand once more before chanting a spell. A fireball emits from his palm, blasting a gap for Arthur to escape.

"Now, Arthur. Go!" He shouts, shoving Arthur out of the now broken ring of men.

Arthur stands frozen a little ways away, watching as Merlin starts to blast away the enemies who dare run after him. "What are you doing Arthur?! Run!" He yells again.