A/N: I got the idea from another fic online. A bit of an angsty oneshot.
Setting: I don't care as long as Arthur's king
Description: Merlin gets hit on the head a little too hard. Arthur and the knights are trying to trigger his memory.
Disclaimer: I don't own Merlin or it's characters
Arthur and the knights were on a hunting trip, so of course Merlin came along.
Merlin never really understood why Arthur made him come. The king knew of his distaste for these huntings trips, and Merlin would often scare away game by tripping at the wrong time.
But when Arthur turned slightly, Merlin could see that satisfied smirk on his face.
That's when it hit him.
Arthur knew Merlin hates these things, and that was precisely why Merlin had to come along. Simply as a form of torture. Still, Merlin made up for it by talking as much as he could. Gwaine was always willing to chat as they rode along.
Gwaine was in the middle of one of us infamous stories when Arthur motioned for them to be quiet. Merlin raised an eyebrow (one that looked scarily similar to Gaius's), his eyes looking in the same direction as Arthur's.
"Bandits!" Arthur suddenly shouted, drawing his sword. Quickly, the others did the same, Leon shouting in anger when his horse was hit, before dismounting. Men rushed from the forest, though very few actually managed to land a blow on any of the knights. Most of it was thanks to tree branches falling, or bandits tripping, all of which Arthur and his men took in stride. After all, they normally had such luck.
It hadn't taken long before the bandits were disposed of, with little to no injuries sustained by the knights of Camelot. Gwaine had a small cut on his forearm, and Leon was missing his horse, but other than that they were fine.
Except that they were missing someone.
"Where's Merlin?" Gwaine piped up, making Arthur jump in surprise. He hadn't even noticed the manservant run off in the fight.
"Probably off hiding somewhere." Arthur said. But his expression betrayed his words. He was worried. The king dismounted his horse, scanning the ground for tracks. A few were able to be seen in the underbrush, and Arthur motioned for the knights to follow him. Not a few seconds later, they found Merlin, unconscious. Just off to the side there was an equally unconscious bandit, while Merlin's horse was grazing next to the man.
"Merlin?" Gwaine rushed forward, checking over his friend. He sighed in relief when there were no apparent injuries, and Arthur moved to gently shake his manservant. Merlin groaned, his eyes fluttering open.
"There you are, Merlin." Arthur hid his relief with his normal arrogant tone. "Did you have a nice nap while we were fighting?" Merlin sat up, holding his head. He jumped back in shock when he noticed Arthur sitting so closely.
"I'm sorry, but..." he paused, searching Arthur's face. "Do I know you?" Arthur sucked in a breath, helping Merlin to his feet. Gwaine stepped closer as Merlin swayed, before steadying himself. When Merlin's gaze landed on Gwaine, his expression lit up. "I know you!" He exclaimed, making Gwaine smile. "You're... you're..." Merlin face twisted in concentration. "You like to spend your time in the tavern." That earned a few chuckles and grins. "You're Gwaine!" Merlin said triumphantly.
"That I am." Gwaine stated with a smile, ignoring the remaining grins from the tavern comment. "Do you remember anything else?" Merlin furrowed his eyebrows.
"An old man, with white hair. I... live with him." Arthur nodded, encouraging Merlin to go on. Merlin then began to name the other two knights, Leon first, then Elyan, and finally Percival.
"But you still don't remember me?" Arthur asked. Merlin shook his head after a moment.
"I'm sorry." He really did look remorseful. "I really don't know." Arthur sighed.
"Sire, we should head back to Camelot." Leon broke in.
"I'm sure Gaius can help him recover." Percival added, glancing at Merlin.
➿➿➿➿➿
"I remember a man. He's older, harsh." Merlin said. The knights had been gently prodding at Merlin's memories in an attempt to help him. "He... he hurt a lot of people. A lot of sorcerers." Arthur grimaced, knowing exactly who he was talking about.
"King Uther." Percival offered. Merlin nodded, his expression tense.
"Anything else?" Elyan spoke up.
"Yeah. A girl."
"Gwen?" That was the first girl that came to Arthur's mind. Merlin thought for a moment, before shaking his head.
"No. She has dark hair, and beautiful brown eyes. She loves strawberries and lakes, but she's damaged somehow. Her name is Freya... and- and I love her." he paused, glancing at the knights. Gwaine raised an eyebrow at the confession. None of them had known Merlin had someone special. "None of you know her?"
"You've never talked about her, mate." Merlin's shoulders sagged at Gwaine's statement.
"Which I find surprising." Arthur said with a smirk. "You'll have to bring her to meet us soon. How come I've never seen her before?" Arthur definitely wanted to meet this girl, and perhaps have Gaius check her head. If she was in love with Merlin, something could very well be wrong with her. The thought made Arthur chuckle to himself. But, the prince had to admit that he was happy for Merlin. He deserved to have someone special.
"I'm not sure, I-" suddenly. Merlin's face twisted in anguish. "Oh. I remember now." The other men waited expectantly. "She died." Gwaine tightened his grip on the reins at the pure sadness in his cheerful friend's tone. Any hint of a smile Arthur had had left immediately. "She died in my arms, and I gave her a funeral by a lake, where she would be happy-" a choking sound escaped Merlin's lips. Arthur sucked in a breath, glancing back at Merlin. The manservant had a few tears slip down his cheeks, before he composed himself.
"What happened to her?" Elyan's question was quiet.
"She was killed."
"By who?" Gwaine growled. To be honest, Arthur was having the same thoughts. Whoever did this to Merlin and his love deserved to suffer. Merlin paused, looking uneasy.
"A prince." His words were barely audible. Arthur's breath hitched as he put the pieces together. He couldn't really be responsible for the death of Merlin's love, could he? "There's someone else I remember." Arthur opened his mouth to demand answers about this Freya, but the look on Merlin's face made him stop.
"Who?" Percival also noticed Merlin's need to change the subject.
"Another woman. I think it's Gwen that you mentioned before." He turned to Elyan. "She's your sister, right?" Elyan nodded, smiling in approval. "I know that she kissed me one time." Arthur fell off his horse.
"What?!" He yelled, picking himself up off the ground. "That's my wife you're talking about!" Merlin winced, shrugging.
"I think it was a long time ago." He explained, easing Arthur's demeanor. Slightly.
"Well, at least this will be some decent blackmail material once you get your memory completely back." Gwaine muttered, doing his best to hold in his laughter. Even Leon couldn't help but grin at the statement.
"Well, that's nearly everyone." Percival said. Merlin nodded, but gave Arthur a wary look.
"Everyone except Arthur." Elyan pointed out.
"I'm sorry, I just don't remember him."
"It's alright. Once we get you to Gaius, he can make sure that you'll get your complete memory back." Arthur reassured his manservant.
"There's someone else." Merlin said hesitantly. "A man. My... my father." Arthur stiffened.
"You've never told me about him."
"I think I know why." Gwaine's voice was quiet, and only Percival heard him. The knight shot him an odd look, but turned back to Merlin who was beginning to speak again.
"He died too." Arthur wanted to scream in frustration. How had Merlin lost so many people he cared about? "I had only just met him, but- but he said from what he'd seen, he was proud of me. I couldn't even grieve, because- because no man is worth my tears." Merlin let out a shaky breath. The knights of Camelot went silent as Merlin attempted to get himself together.
"I'm sorry, Merlin." Arthur was quiet when he apologized. "I guess I really can be a prat." Merlin stared at him for a moment, recognition dawning in his eyes.
"And a dollop head." The grin on Merlin's face was wide.
"I can't really say I'm surprised by the fact that 'prat' is what triggered Merlin's memory." Leon spoke up.
"And supercilious." Merlin continued, much to Arthur's irritation. "And fa-"
"I AM NOT FAT!"