A/N: Merlin stands up for himself fic! YAY! Was I the only one that hated, hated, HATED that scene? So, I fixed it. Hope you enjoy! I also published this as a one shot, but decided to put it here, as well, for maximum reviews. Hahaha!

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"You know, Merlin, all those things I said about you being a coward, I never meant them," Arthur said, eyes resigned and filled with shame. Though not for himself, "I used to think you were the bravest man I knew...I guess I was wrong,"

Merlin's mouth hung slightly open, horror emanating from his pale features, a layer of fear over his eyes. Arthur turned away from him, expecting to hear a feeble apology or explanation, or the sound of the door closing behind his manservant as he left quietly, resignedly.

Instead, all he heard was his own yelp as he fell to the floor, and the loud clatter of his freshly polished gauntlet striking the stone floor after bouncing hard off his bed post.

"You…you idiot!" Merlin yelled furiously, eyes shining with hurt and angry tears as he stomped toward Arthur, who scrambled to his feet, face etched with shock and incredulity, "You bloody, imbecilic moron! Are you completely stupid, or just that arrogant? Listen here, you bloody clotpole," Merlin cornered Arthur against the bed post, and thrust a finger under his nose, "You're a king, you're a knight. I've polished far too much armor and heard far too much of your prattish grouching to know anything less. But I don't have armor, or training, or any of the so called entitlements of your birthright. And yes, this terrifies me," Merlin's face, inches from Arthur's, was flushed and angry, eyes still bright with hot tears. And Arthur could only stare, unable to speak,

"But I do it all anyway. I still run into battle. I still drink poison, I still confront dragons. I get beaten, cut, captured, stabbed, and still find time for the stocks every now and then when I'm covering for your irresponsible arse. I've had a bloody mace go through my chest! And if you weren't too caught up in your own self pity, you would remember I was the one asking you to leave me behind so you could survive," Merlin stopped to catch his breath, chest heaving as his hand dropped to his side. But his gaze never wavered, those blue orbs bore into Arthur, bringing to light new feelings of guilt and shame, and he couldn't breathe,

"So don't you dare. Don't. You. Dare accuse me of being a coward. Because I've had nothing but faith in you Arthur, all the times I've bled and hurt and nearly died, I never lost faith. Have the decency to give me the same courtesy, because you and I both know I deserve it. And when I tell you that I can't be by your side this time, and that I have good reasons, you better damn well get over yourself, andlisten to me. And you know why?" Merlin jabbed a finger at his chest, and growled through clenched teeth, absolute conviction and truth poured from his voice,

"Because, Arthur, I am worth it. And it's about time you realized that."

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A/N: Oh, glory be that felt so good to write. *Contented sigh*. Reviews!