When new Knights arrived in Camelot they were taught a few important things, rules if you will though unspoken, about how things were in Camelot and what was expected of them. They were all fairly simple, some of them very obvious, others less so. But, after their introduction to the King and the Prince, being shown their chambers and then around the castle grounds, after being introduced to the court, the Knights would take them to the pub, sit them to the side with a few tankards of beer and give them THE RULES.

1) You always protect the King

2) Always protect Prince Arthur

3)Prince Arthur is the future of the kingdom, and when it came down to it you backed him.

4)You obeyed the rules

5)You conducted yourself with honour, chivalry and decorum.

6) The eyes of the kingdom were on them, they should always remember that

7) Arthur's training was hard and demanding, but it would make them the best

8) They were above no one else

9) At all times make sure that Merlin is near Prince Arthur, he was much more pleasant with the Manservant in sight.

10) The way they spoke to each other did not mean that they hated each other.

11) Never, Ever try to hurt Merlin, do not make fun of him, do not laugh at him, do not in anyway physically or emotionally hurt Merlin. That was the swiftest way to find yourself in the furthest village of the kingdom shovelling dung - if you were lucky - no one could pin down who made sure you ended up there but you would find yourself there and for a very good reason on paper.

12) Merlin would follow them everywhere, into every situation, and he would do everything that he could to protect Arthur - which was why he had the respect of so many of the Knights.

13) It was their responsibility to protect Merlin. He never went into dangerous situations with armour, he was not a fighter at all, in fact, he was quite clumsy and often ended up tripping and falling. Merlin was skinny and small and looked like a stiff wind would blow him over, and they must do everything that they can to protect him.

14) Arthur protected Merlin a lot of the time, but if Arthur was not by Merlin it was their DUTY to protect Merlin.

15) Repeat. Merlin MUST be protected.

No one was really sure when exactly it had started. At first, the Knights had all been quite disdainful of Merlin. Sure he had saved the Prince's life which had granted him his position. But he was mouthy and rude, he had not respect for Arthur, the way he spoke to him was horrific and totally out of place for the way the Prince should be treated.

Most of them were appalled and disliked the manservant.

And then…..

Arthur changed. He had always been a good man, and they had all seen the potential of the King that he could be. But he had his failings. In the presence of Merlin, in the same of a few months, Arthur changed. He became more sure of himself, more confident in his own mind and his own decisions, he became a better Knight, a better Prince, a better man.

Arthur changed from being a good man to the beginnings of a great one in front of their eyes. He lost the cockiness and that slight vein of cruelness that was a little too like his father that he had possessed. And none of them could deny that it was because of Merlin.

And then Merlin had drunk from a poisoned chalice to protect Arthur when Uther refused to believe the servant that it was poisoned.

That had sealed the deal for the Knights.

They got closer to Merlin, spent the time with him, got to know him better. And they liked him even more.

Then came the concern. They respected Merlin because despite being nothing more than a servant he chose to follow Arthur into numerous situations that no other servant would have followed him to. He was not a fighter, he didn't even carry a weapon for the love of the gods! He had no training, no armour!

They had tried pointing it out to Arthur, arguing with the Prince that he should not take the young teen with them into the dangerous situations, that they should maybe leave him at camp somewhere safe. They had tried to point out that Merlin didn't have armour or a weapon, but Arthur did not seem to get it, and the longer that it went on and Merlin survived each situation quite well Arthur listened even less.

They knew that the Prince respected Merlin in his own way and that he thought Merlin capable which was why he did not seem concerned, and of course, the more Merlin survived dangerous situations the more that respect deepened.

But that did not solve the problem of what to do about Merlin.

They all agreed that Merlin made Arthur a better man and that with him at his side he would be a truly great King, they all agreed that if something were to happen to Merlin Arthur would...break more than likely, and that was something none of them could allow. They also agreed that Merlin was young and small, and delicate and….well they needed to protect him.

And so Merlin duty had started.

They would take it in turns to protect the young servant while they were out and about, one of them would stay with Merlin at all times and would fend off those that went for him, which there was always a good few considering he was like a blazing beacon in a fight with no armour or a weapon.

Along the way, Merlin also became their friend. The young servant going out his way to help them out, giving them extra portions when they weren't well, cooking someone's favourite meal when it was their birthday and they were out on patrol. He was bright and friendly, full of life and laughter, he made them smile and laugh, he lightened hard journeys with his banter and the fun that he found in life. Along the way, Merlin became important to all of them.

"Here we are," Leon grinned as he stepped into the tavern and waved at some of the other Knights who were already here, the ones that were well enough to be here. He led the newest Knights through the crowd to their normal table and waved for them to sit down.

"Lancelot, good to see you again," Galahad broke the slightly awkward silence that had fallen over them by reaching out to the knight. "Sorry I didn't get to say it a little sooner,"

"Bit of a surprise seeing you back," Bors boomed. "In a good way!" He rolled his eyes when Gareth shoved him none too gently.

"You were definitely the talk of the town for a little while," Kay snorted pouring tankards for all of them.

"So, you're the lovely Gwen's brother right?" Lamorak asked curiously of Elyan.

"Yeah, I am," Elyan nodded unsurely.

"Wise woman that girl, good head on her shoulders, loyal. She's well-liked in the castle," Lamorak hummed. "How's she doing after the whole….Morgana situation?" he asked concerned.

"She's shocked, but doing ok, I think it helps that she has the King to focus on," Elyan smiled a little, these Knights obviously respected his sister well and were not having a did about the fact that he obviously came from servant class.

"And where the heck did they find you?" Gaheris squinted at Percival who smiled shyly back.

"I had been travelling with Lance for a little while when Merlin's letter reached him. Cendred killed my family, so of course, I went along too, thought I might be of some use," Percival shrugged.

"You did much more than that my friend," Lance patted him on the shoulder.

"Sure did!" Kay cheered raising his tankard.

"All of you did, beer is definitely on us tonight lads, as welcome and thanks," Bors clapped.

"Won't be saying no to that!" Gwaine said cheerfully draining half his tankard.

"You, you were here for one of our tournaments weren't you? I've been meaning to ask," Palamedes asked curiously.

"Yeah that was me," Gwaine nodded and grinned sunnily at them.

"Oh yes! One of Merlin's strays," Kay clicked his fingers recognition washing over his face.

"One of Merlin's…." Gwaine blinked.

"Ah he collects them he does that boy, sees something in people," Bors nodded.

"Manages to make people see things in themselves too," Tristan smiled softly.

"Our lad there was a weed when he joined us, he and everyone else thought that he would be better suited for administration except for the fact that he really wanted to be a Knight. Merlin insisted he would be able to do it, and here he is now, four years later and one of the most fearless Knights in the Kingdom, at least until you lot came along," Kay chuckled with good humour clamping Tristan on the shoulder.

"Lancelot was one of Merlin's strays as well right?" Bedivere asked thoughtfully.

"Yes I am," Lance admitted with a chuckle.

"Saw something in you, even all those years ago," Geraint nodded.

"Smart lad," Gareth agreed.

"You seem to think quite well of someone who is just a servant," Gwaine said and then drew back as ten angry Knights turned to him and Leon just looked exasperated.

"What was that?" Palamedes growled.

"What did you say about Merlin?" Tristan snapped.

"He is not JUST anything!" Galahad glared.

"Woah! Guys slow down. Merlin is his friend, he didn't mean it the way that it came out!" Leon stepped in before things got bloody. He didn't think the owner would appreciate having to clean up their blood again after someone had insulted Merlin.

"Woah, you guys are protective!" Gwaine blinked clutching his tankard close.

"Have you seen Merlin? He's so thin!"

"And young!"

"And….delicate!"

"And so clumsy!"

"Not to mention idiotically brave!"

"And so innocent,"

"He needs protecting!" Most of the Knights finished firmly together before they all leant into the 4 new Knights, intent looks upon their faces, even Leon.

"That brings us to THE RULES," Leon nodded.

"THE RULES?!" Elyan asked bemusedly.

"Yes, there are the official rules that you will be given for your duties as a Knight, However, there are RULES between us Knights that must always obey," Gareth nodded seriously.

"Ok...what are these rules?" Percival asked seriously, looking as though he were about to have to sit an exam.

The four of them sat there staring at the Knights who stared back seriously once they had finished imparting THE RULES on their new members.

"Ah, the Rules speech is it lads?" The barmaid laughed seeing their faces as she dropped a couple of new jugs down onto the table for them. "You make sure you look after that lad, works himself far too hard," she sighed before walking away as the experienced Knights all nodded in agreement.

"I…" Gwaine started to say.

"Yes?" Tristan asked.

"I did not expect it to be so...Merlin based," Gwaine blinked.

"He is important! He must be protected, it is our duties as Knights!" Bors growled out slamming his fist into the table and looked them over seriously. "Anyone who fails...is shamed!"

"Is this a windup? A prank or something for the new guys?" Elyan asked slowly looking at them all.

"No!" The 11 Knights chorused.

"This is serious! I didn't take it seriously when I started and Merlin got kidnapped on my first watch. My life was hell for months after, it took me ages to gain back respect and through it, all Merlin supported me and kept telling me that the Knights would come to like me, he was there for me through it all," Geraint said passionately.

"He's saved his life more than anyone else now!" Kay nodded proudly.

"If you fail in this duty your life is hell, you pray for the time that you are sent to tend your Dung heap, everyone will find out, the whole town loves Merlin, they expect us to look after him. If we fail…" Lamorak shook his head.

"The time he got kidnapped...that was a rough few months. No pub would let us in, the blacksmiths mangled favourite weapons, our clothes were washed so they itched or smelt funny, the cooks sent basic meals for us or things they knew we did not like, Gaius supplied us with a month-long treatment that we had to take every day for some illness we're sure he made up that is the worst thing you will ever taste!" Leon whispered to them.

"Is that why you kept giving me significant eyes when I went off with Merlin?" Lance asked Leon.

"Yup, you did a really good job there lad!" Bors clapped him so hard on the back he nearly headbutted the table.

"You really did, I admit I was a little worried at first but you did good," Leon beamed proudly at him.

"Normally it's him and Arthur going off on their own missions," Gareth said and suddenly the table became very glum.

"Wish they would let at least one of us come with them," Tristan grumbled.

"How are we supposed to protect Merlin when they won't let us come with them," Gaheris grumbled.

"And the Prince of course," Lance said looking far too amused for some reason the Knights could not figure out.

"Of course, but Merlin!" Bors wailed.

"The Prince goes diving off, Merlin goes diving off to protect his back and who is there to protect Merlin's back when we aren't there?!" Galahad groaned.

"Merlin, all there by himself," Bedivere looked aggrieved just at the thought.

"What's up with him?" The Knights all looked mystified, new and experienced as Lance dropped down onto the table howling with laughter.

"Didn't know he was that much of a lightweight," Gwaine blinked.

"He never has been before," Percival shrugged eyeing his friend concerned.

After their Very Serious Meeting, the new Knights started noticing the way Merlin was treated in the castle. Sure he danced around with that wild energy, racing from one place to another with hundreds of jobs as much as ever, but they noticed how everyone treated him, the other Knights in particular.

"Merlin, I am going that way, let me take them for you, I need work on my strength anyway," Gareth was caught saying as he took a huge basket of wood from Merlin.

"Merlin, I can't finish this before doing laps, would you eat it?" Bors boomed pushing half his lunch at Merlin who had been racing around the castle all morning and probably not had a chance to eat.

"No no, don't you worry about the Lord Housle making a complaint about you Merlin, I will go….talk to him," They caught Gaheris walking away cracking his knuckles after gently comforting Merlin.

It was hilarious watching them all panic whenever they saw Merlin near stairs, and they would come up with 101 excuses to take things out of his hands when they could to escort him up and down said stairs.

They were also completely amused by the blind eye the Knights all showed Merlin when he was sneaking around the castle. Having each of them been part of at least one of Merlin's plans, and seen how capable he was of sneaking around and the trouble that he tended to get into, they were amused to realise that the Knights were all quite aware of it.

"Hang on," Galahad held his arm out to stop Elyan going around a corner, the two of them peeked around the corner and watched Merlin sneaking down the corridor. "Ok,"

"Erm…" Elyan looked to Galahad questioningly as they carried on their patrol. "You don't find it weird that Merlin is sneaking around at 0100 in the morning?"

"Oh, he'll be up to something," Galahad just shrugged and carried on.

"You're not going to stop him and ask him his business at this time of night?" Elyan asked confused.

"Nope, you never do when you find Merlin wandering around," Galahad shrugged again. "Try and avoid actually talking to him, he is awful at coming up with excuses, it is really hard keeping a straight face while he is rambling,"

"But...shouldn't everyone be checked, that is what we were told, even the King himself, especially if you know he is lying?" Elyan frowned.

"Ah no, he'll be up to something important for Arthur, Camelot or both, best not get in the way and slow him down. He's quite helpful he tends to use a lot of the secret passageways so we have plausible deniability, it's good of him," Galahad smiled fondly.

"Right…." Elyan nodded.

"Merlin! What are you up to at this time of night!" Gwaine called cheerfully before letting out an oomph as Bors elbowed him in the stomach.

"Gwaine, Bors, evening, late evening, hello!" Merlin rambled, big blue eyes getting big with obvious worry at being caught. Gwaine looked to his training companion concerned that they would have to discipline Merlin despite how fond the Knights were of him, only to find the 6,5 brute of a Knight with a deep scar running down his cheek giving Merlin what could only be described as heart eyes.

"You ok there Merlin? Sleepwalking again huh?" Bors clearly offered him the excuse.

"Yes!" Merlin said loudly. "Yes, I was!"

"But you haven't changed out of today's clothes y..ow!" Gwaine yelped as 6,5 brute of Knight stepped none too delicately on his foot.

"Changing back into your clothes huh Merlin, at least you aren't wandering around in your smalls!" Bors chuckled fondly patting Merlin on the shoulder.

"Right, right. Erm, well, I had better…" Merlin motioned over his shoulder in the direction he had been going.

"Gaius' chambers are the other wa….OW!" Gwaine squeaked when his poor shin took a whack this time.

"You have a good evening Merlin, here eat this on your way to bed!" Bors pulled a small pile of wrapped biscuits out and pressed them into Merlin's hand, bright blue eyes lighting up excitedly.

"Oh I couldn't, these are for your watch," Merlin protested, but he was sniffing eagerly. "Are these May's honey and oat biscuits?"

"That they are, should still be warm. She won't mind you taking them, we will stop by the kitchen for something quick to eat," Bors insisted, the man was always trying to feed Merlin.

"If you're sure," Merlin hummed hugging the biscuits close.

"Quite sure, just pop in and see her," Bors grinned.

"Will do. Night Bors, night Gwaine!" Merlin smiled brightly at them.

"Night Merlin, you stay safe...on your way back to bed," Bors hesitated. "If you need anything just give me a shout, on the way back to bed," he said firmly patting Merlin gently on the arm.

"Will do," Merlin smiled bemusedly.

"Night Merlin," Gwaine waved stepping away from Bors when the night shot him a pointed look.

"This way," Bors gripped Gwaine's shoulder.

"But we were going that…." Gwaine grimaced when Bors' giant hand squeezed his shoulder tightly. "That way, we were going that way!" he squeaked nodding.

"Are you ok Gwaine? Maybe you should take a little break," Merlin frowned concernedly.

"He'll be fine, I will look after him. You had better be off lad," Bors smiled.

"Oh yes!" Merlin straightened. "I'll...bye!" He waved before hurrying intently down the hallway.

Bors and Gwaine watched him go, Bors fondly and Gwaine confused, at least until the older night spun on him, sticking his finger in his face and scowling furiously. "Never, ever question Merlin when you catch him sneaking around!"

"But he's sneaking around! Our job is to question people sneaking around the castle at night!" Gwaine protested.

"Everyone but Merlin!" Bors shook his head.

"What then that needs to be added to THE RULES!" Gwaine protested.

"I….good point," Bors muttered nodding his head as he sat down on the window ledge.

"What are you doing?" Gwaine asked confused watching the Knight get comfy.

"We need to go that way," Bors motioned to the corridor Merlin had disappeared down. "We will give him time to get some distance and then just walk slower than normal," Bors shrugged.

Gwaine stared at him for a moment and then shrugged and sat down on another window to rub his sore shin and foot with a faint grumble. Honestly, they were all nuts!

THE RULES

1) You always protect the King

2) Always protect Prince Arthur

3) Prince Arthur is the future of the kingdom, and when it came down to it you backed him.

4) You obeyed the rules

5) You conducted yourself with honour, chivalry and decorum.

6) The eyes of the kingdom were on them, they should always remember that

7) Arthur's training was hard, and demanding, but it would make them the best

8) They were above no one else

9) At all times make sure that Merlin is near Prince Arthur, he was much more pleasant with the Manservant in sight.

10) The way they spoke to each other did not mean that they hated each other.

11) Never, Ever try to hurt Merlin, do not make fun of him, do not laugh at him, do not in anyway physically or emotionally hurt Merlin. That was the swiftest way to find yourself in the furthest village of the kingdom shovelling dung - if you were lucky - no one could pin down who made sure you ended up there but you would find yourself there and for a very good reason on paper.

12) Merlin would follow them everywhere, into every situation, and he would do everything that he could to protect Arthur - which was why he had the respect of so many of the Knights.

13) It was their responsibility to protect Merlin. He never went into dangerous situations with armour, he was not a fighter at all, in fact he was quite clumsy and often ended up tripping and falling. Merlin was skinny and small and looked like a stiff wind would blow him over, and they must do everything that they can to protect him.

14) Arthur protected Merlin a lot of the time, but if Arthur was not by Merlin it was their DUTY to protect Merlin.

15) Repeat. Merlin MUST be protected.

16) Never ever question Merlin when you catch him sneaking around

17) If you have to speak to him when you catch him sneaking around, offer an excuse for him, he comes up with terrible ones.

"Lance! Kay!" Merlin squeaked coming to a halt.

"Merlin," Lance smiled brightly at his friend.

"I...erm...I...erm...I am...erm…"

"Off on a chore for Gaius, Merlin?" Lance asked even though it was quite obvious he was not.

"Don't worry if I see Arthur I will make sure to tell him so and how important it was," Kay smiled nodded before Merlin could even say anything.

"That would be great thank you," Merlin sighed.

"Be careful," Lance said firmly.

"I will do, on my chores," Merlin smiled.

"See you later Merlin," Kay waved.

"Bye guys, have a good patrol," Merlin waved before racing off like the hounds of hell were on his heels.

Lance and Kay exchanged a look and a small smile before they carried on on their patrol.

"You're going to fit in well here Lancelot," Kay hummed approvingly.

"Please call me Lance,"

"So, how goes your wooing of the fair Guinevere?" Kay asked, chuckling when Lance started blushing.