Arthur watched as his manservant saddled the horses. His movements were stiff and irregular and he was walking with a slight limp. He was also sporting a black eye, the details of which he stubbornly refused to reveal.

Arthur was wo— no, not worried. Arthur couldn't possibly be worried about Merlin. He didn't want any tardiness in the younger man's duties. Yes, that was it.

Something was majorly wrong here. Last night, when he had killed that monster– the Lamia, he thought the problem had been taken care of. But things were far from over. Merlin, his knights and Guinevere were all oddly silent.

When he'd called Merlin an idiot a while ago, the servant hadn't responded with a snarky comeback. Even Gwaine who always engaged in childish prattle was quiet. He didn't miss the occasional glare the knights were receiving from Guinevere.

Gwen was the kindest person he knew, along with Merlin. Something had happened on their journey, something he wasn't aware of.

Merlin finished saddling the horses and approached him. "The horses are ready to leave any time now." Arthur nodded at him. "Go and call the knights. We leave immediately. I want to arrive at Camelot by sundown."

Arthur didn't miss the way Merlin's shoulders tensed even as he walked away to comply to the order.

He found Guinevere inside the hut, helping Gaius with his things. "Gaius, are the knights alright? The seem... off, all of them. Even Merlin hasn't said anything much and God knows how hard it is to shut him up."

"The knights are perfectly fine, sire. They were lucky to get away with a few minor cuts. There's nothing to worry about, I assure you." Arthur instantly picked up on the sharp edge in the normally genial physician's tone. Why was Gaius upset with the knights?

"And what about Merlin?" Gaius raised an eyebrow questioningly. "I'm not quite sure about what happened, sire. Merlin has been rather silent, as you mentioned. But perhaps he is just tired. I will speak to him once we have returned to Camelot."

"You let me know if you find anything." Gaius dipped his head respectfully, accepted his bag from Gwen and left the hut.

All through his little exchange with Gaius, he had noticed the way Guinevere had stiffened. He turned towards the love of his life and asked, "Guinevere, I know something happened on the way. Everyone's acting strange. Now, I'm not as ignorant as everyone makes me out to be. The knights won't look Merlin in the eye, they're barely talking to anyone at all." He paused to take a deep breath.

"I think Merlin is hurt. He won't tell me. Now, Merlin is the most mulish, loyal idiot I've ever met. He's not willing to tell me what's wrong. Tell me, please."

Gwen hit her lip in indecision. "Arthur, I'm sorry but he made me promise not to. I think it's really endearing that you're worried about Merlin but I promised him that I wouldn't say anything."

"Guinevere, please." Arthur would not be swayed. Maybe, just maybe he was a wee bit concerned about his manservant's condition.

She gave in.

She told him all that had occurred when the Knights had been under the Lamia's influence. Arthur listened with a growing fury as Guinevere recounted the events of the past few days.

The knights had physically harmed Merlin, belittled him and even dared to raise their swords against him. And all the while, Merlin had protected Gwen, taking the worst of the Knights' abuse upon himself. Merlin, his servant, best friend and little brother– the most loveable idiot Arthur had ever met.

In that moment, Arthur didn't care that they'd been put under a spell. No one was allowed to hurt Merlin, intentionally or otherwise. Anyone who so much as harmed a hair on his clumsy, idiotic head, answered directly to the King of Camelot. There were no exceptions to that rule, not even his most trusted Knights.

The knights of the realm were supposed to be stronger than that. How could they have succumbed to that monster's magic when Gwen and Merlin had successfully fought it?

Sirs Gwaine, Leon, Percival and Elyan would all have a lot to answer for when they returned to Camelot. Arthur would make certain of that.

"Don't be too hard on them, Arthur. They weren't themselves, after all."

"That may be so, Guinevere but the knights should have been strong enough to fight it. Merlin was hurt, you were nearly hurt and those are two things I cannot condone. They will bear the consequences for their actions."

She gave him a kind smile. He could see the slight sympathy in her eyes for the knights. "It's sweet to see you so concerned for Merlin's safety. I always knew you cared." Arthur could feel his cheeks burn at her words. "Let's just keep this between you and me. I don't want my manservant getting all bigheaded."

She laughed and patted his arm. "Oh Arthur, I think it's a little too late for that. The whole of Camelot knows just how much you care for him."

The two of them exited the hut and found all four knights standing around Merlin. Arthur narrowed his eyes and made to shoo them away but was stopped by Gwen's hand on his arm. "I think they're just apologising. Look at them, Arthur. Really look."

She was right. The four men had their heads lowered before Merlin and the way the servant was rubbing his neck with a hesitant smile, he was feeling very awkward indeed. "About time I'd say," Arthur remarked.

When Gwaine took a step forward to pat Merlin on the shoulder, the latter flinched almost imperceptibly. And just like that, Arthur's anger was back.

"Come now! We don't have all day!" If his voice came out a lot more sharper than he'd intended, nobody said anything.

The ride back to Camelot was unpleasantly silent. Other than a terse order here and there, Arthur didn't say anything to his knights. Merlin stayed by Arthur's side all the way.

It was evident that while he'd forgiven the knights, he wasn't all that comfortable around them yet.

By now, the entire party had picked up on their King's foul mood and wisely stayed out of his way. As usual, Merlin was the one who came and sat down next to him.

"Are you alright, Arthur? You haven't said much."

"I know— what my knights did to you." Merlin laughed nervously. "What? I don't know what you're talki—"

"You can stop pretending, Merlin. I know they hurt you. I plan to address the issue as soon as we get back." Merlin looked at his master with wide eyes. "Arthur, it wasn't their fault. They weren't in control of themselves. And besides, they apologised, all of them did; quite profusely in fact. You can't punish them for something that wasn't their fault."

"But it is their fault. How is it that you and Guinevere weren't under that monster's spell but my knights fell for it without even the smallest bit of resistance?" Merlin couldn't answer that question, not without the honest explanation.

"When we get back, you'll have Gaius treat your wounds and come to the throne room. I don't want you hobbling around the place like some old man. You're no use to me if you're unwell."

For the first time in days, that infectious grin spread across Merlin's face. "Am I hearing things, sire, or are you actually concerned about me?"

Arthur scoffed and lightly cuffed Merlin on the back of his head. "Don't be absurd, Merlin. You're an absolute idiot."

Merlin bumped his shoulder against Arthur's and grinned, the way a boy would smile at his older brother. "Whatever you say, sire."

Merlin felt guilty that the knights were going to pay the piper but at the same time, he couldn't ignore that warm feeling in his stomach at the protectiveness in his best friend's tone.

He knew that eventually, things with the knights would go back to normal but not right now. "Thank you, Merlin."

Merlin's expression was the picture of shock. "You're just full of surprises today, aren't you? First you worry about me and now you're thanking me. For what, may I ask?"

Arthur turned to Merlin with a genuine gratitude in his clear blue eyes. "You kept Guinevere safe. I cannot thank you enough for that."

Merlin's eyes softened. "Arthur, she's my friend too. I'd protect her at all costs."

Merlin turned around to look at the four knights who were eating their lunch, not talking much. Gwaine caught his gaze and smiled at him. The servant caught the guilt on his face, on all their faces. While Merlin had forgiven the knights, they hadn't forgiven themselves. Not even close.

"Just promise me to go easy on them?"

"Absolutely not."

This is my first Merlin fanfic. I know it's been nearly six years since the series ended but I still love it. I recently watched 4x08 and felt that the Knights got away too easily. Besides, Arthur is way, way protective of Merlin. No one would be spared if they hurt him.

Next chapter will be uploaded soon.

What willl happen to the Knights?

R&R!